How tall can my fence be in Raleigh, NC?

Up to 8' in the rear yard, 4' in front of the building line.

How much does a Raleigh, NC fence permit cost?

We have Raleigh, NC's fence ordinance on file but not a permit fee, so we do not publish an amount for it.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.

Raleigh, NC fence permit site plan

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

If Raleigh'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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, NC permit form — pending. Until then you get the universal plot plan + a checklist of what to handwrite on the city's form.
✓ Raleigh, NC ordinance check — height limits, setbacks, and neighbor-consent rules specific to Raleigh, NC.

Raleigh, NC fence rules

Max height (rear yard): 8'
Max height (front of building line): 4'

A fence in a front or side street setback may reach 6'6" only if the part above 4' is no more than 50% opaque. A solid fence there is held to 4'.
Side and rear setbacks allow 8', except next to a street, where the limit drops to 6'6" under the same 50% opacity rule above 4'.
Chain-link is not allowed in any front or side street setback.
A continuous, unbroken fence or wall plane may not run more than 100'. Breaks have to come from columns, landscaped areas, transparent sections or a change of material.
Within 20' of a thoroughfare right-of-way a fence must be under 42" tall, or stand at least 15' back and be screened with evergreen planting.
No fence or wall may stand in a tree conservation area, or in a City utility or drainage easement without prior written approval from the relevant director.

Do you need a permit? Yes. Raleigh's Residential and Commercial Fences page states that a zoning permit is required when a fence is installed on any property. The same permit is needed to replace 50 percent or more of an existing fence, and to replace less than that where the material, the height or the location is changing. (source)

Source: https://udo.raleighnc.gov/sec-728-walls-and-fences

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FAQ

Do I need a permit to build a fence in Raleigh, NC?: Yes. Raleigh's Residential and Commercial Fences page states that a zoning permit is required when a fence is installed on any property. The same permit is needed to replace 50 percent or more of an existing fence, and to replace less than that where the material, the height or the location is changing.
How tall can my fence be in Raleigh, NC?: Up to 8' in the rear yard, 4' in front of the building line.
How much does a Raleigh, NC fence permit cost?: We have Raleigh, 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC building department before submitting.

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Plan a fence in Raleigh →

Raleigh, NC fence permit site plan

What you'll get for Raleigh, NC

Raleigh, NC fence rules

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