Cactus Village Community

Residential Fences and Walls (Requirements)

Aug 05, 2003

Residential Fences and Walls

Residential Fence Requirements

The Phoenix Construction Code states that building permits are NOT required for fences six (6) feet high or less. Retaining walls, four (4) feet high or less, are also NOT required to be permitted, unless they are built on a hillside lot.*

HOWEVER, fences and walls must conform to all City codes and ordinances. You can be cited if your fence violates any code or ordinance. If a fence that is in violation can not be brought into compliance, it will have to be removed.
*Retaining walls 3?’4?” and higher require a use permit from the Planning Department. Contact Planning at 602-262-7131, option 6.

Right of Way

Fences and walls can not be built in the right of way. It is very important that you determine where the right of way exists. The right of way may extend 3-8 feet beyond the side walk. If you are unsure of where your property line begins, contact Development Services at 602-262-7884 for information on how you can determine the location of your property line.

Easements

Fences, walls, and vegetation in a Public Utility Easement (PUE) may be removed by the City or utility provider for installation or repair of utilities. Replacement of the fence, wall, or vegetation will be at the owner?’s expense. If you are unsure about the location of a PUE on your property, contact Development Services at 602-262-7884.

Height

There are zoning restrictions on fence height in residential districts. A fence can be no higher than three (3) feet in the required front yard and six (6) feet on the side and back yards. Any variation from these height restrictions requires a variance from the Planning Department. The Planning Department can be reached at 602-262-7131.

Visibility at Intersections
At public street intersections (any corner lot) there can be no obstruction higher than three feet. For more information about this requirement, contact Street Transportation Department at 602-495-7049 or see the Street Transportation Department Brochure entitled ?“Visibility Requirements for Landscaping Corner Lots.?”

Even if your fence or wall does not require a permit, property owners are liable and can be sued for traffic accidents near their property if they have allowed a visibility obstruction to occur.

If you have any questions concerning walls or fences, please call Development Services at 602-262-7884. If you have questions concerning street visibility requirements, contact Street Transportation at 602-495-7049.

DOs and DON?’Ts

Do obtain permits for residential fences over 6 feet high and retaining walls over 4 feet high. (UBC ?§106.2.1)

?• DO call for inspections of a fence or wall that requires a permit.

?• DON?’T build any wall or fence in the right of way. (UBC ?§3201)

?• DON?’T place any obstruction over 3 feet high in the street visibility triangle. (Phx. City Code ?§31-13)


?• DON?’T build a wall without a permit if you live on a hillside lot (greater than 10% slope). Contact Development Services at 602-262-7884.

?• DON?’T build across established washes or drainage easements. (Phx. City Code ?§32B-14). . . ☻