How tall can my fence be in Greensboro, NC?

Up to 7' in the rear yard, 4' in front of the building line.

How much does a Greensboro, NC fence permit cost?

We have Greensboro, NC's fence ordinance on file but not a permit fee, so we do not publish an amount for it. Ask the building department what a fence permit costs before you apply.

What does a fence plot plan need to show?

Your property outline, location of the proposed fence, total linear feet, height, material, distance from any street/sidewalk, and (in most cities) the location of your house. Fence Plotter generates this automatically from a satellite image and your fence drawing.

Can I draw my plot plan myself?

Yes — most building departments accept owner-drawn plot plans as long as they're clear, dimensioned, and to scale. Fence Plotter produces a permit-ready plot plan + elevation sketch in two minutes.

Greensboro, NC fence permit site plan

Plan your fence on a satellite map of your Greensboro, NC property and get a permit-ready PDF in 2 minutes. Free, no sign-up.

If Greensboro's form asks for a site plan and this page says plot plan, they are the same drawing for a fence application: a to-scale overhead view of your lot with the property lines, the existing structures and the proposed fence dimensioned on it. A surveyed site plan is the one genuinely different document, and only a licensed surveyor can seal one. What a fence permit site plan has to show.

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What you'll get for Greensboro, NC

✓ Satellite site plan — top-down map of your property with the fence drawn on it, every side dimensioned.
✓ Fence elevation — side view showing height, panel count, and gates.
✓ Real lot lines — pulled from county GIS so your fence sits on the actual property boundary.
○ Filled Greensboro, NC permit form — pending. Until then you get the universal plot plan + a checklist of what to handwrite on the city's form.
✓ Greensboro, NC ordinance check — height limits, setbacks, and neighbor-consent rules specific to Greensboro, NC.

Greensboro, NC fence rules

Max height (rear yard): 7'
Max height (front of building line): 4'

Residential limits are 4' within 15' of any public or private street right-of-way, and 7' anywhere else on the lot.
A rear or side yard adjoining a thoroughfare may go to 6' inside that 15' strip, but only where there is no driveway access and no sight-distance interference.
Height is measured at the highest point of the fence section, from the grade on the side nearest the abutting property or street, and any retaining wall or berm underneath counts toward it.
Columns and posts may stand up to 18" above the built height of the fence and must be at least 4' apart, except at gates.
Allowed materials are masonry or stone, ornamental metal, chain-link or woven wire, plastic or vinyl, wood, or similar materials.
Fences built primarily of barbed or razor wire are prohibited outside agricultural livestock use, as are electrically charged fences and readily flammable materials such as paper, cloth or canvas.

Do you need a permit? Greensboro does not state one. Unified Development Ordinance Section 30-9-4 is where the city sets its fence rules -- applicability, setbacks, materials, height -- and it states no permit or application requirement. The city's own Residential Construction page lists the work that needs a building permit and does not name fences. That is the city being silent rather than the city saying none is needed, so confirm with Engineering and Inspections before you build. (what we read 1) (what we read 2)

Source: https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/greensboro-nc/export2doc.aspx?pdf=1&tocid=009.004

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FAQ

Do I need a permit to build a fence in Greensboro, NC?: Greensboro does not state one. Unified Development Ordinance Section 30-9-4 is where the city sets its fence rules -- applicability, setbacks, materials, height -- and it states no permit or application requirement. The city's own Residential Construction page lists the work that needs a building permit and does not name fences. That is the city being silent rather than the city saying none is needed, so confirm with Engineering and Inspections before you build.
How tall can my fence be in Greensboro, NC?: Up to 7' in the rear yard, 4' in front of the building line.
How much does a Greensboro, NC fence permit cost?: We have Greensboro, NC's fence ordinance on file but not a permit fee, so we do not publish an amount for it. Ask the building department what a fence permit costs before you apply.
What does a fence plot plan need to show?: Your property outline, location of the proposed fence, total linear feet, height, material, distance from any street/sidewalk, and (in most cities) the location of your house. Fence Plotter generates this automatically from a satellite image and your fence drawing.
Can I draw my plot plan myself?: Yes — most building departments accept owner-drawn plot plans as long as they're clear, dimensioned, and to scale. Fence Plotter produces a permit-ready plot plan + elevation sketch in two minutes.

Not sure what Greensboro means by “site plan”? See the nine things a plan reviewer checks — the same list whatever city you are applying in.

Do I need a survey?·Free template — which kind?·Do I need a permit?·Why permits get rejected

Fence Plotter is informational only. Always confirm specific requirements with the Greensboro, NC building department before submitting.

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Plan a fence in Greensboro →

Greensboro, NC fence permit site plan

What you'll get for Greensboro, NC

Greensboro, NC fence rules

FAQ

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