Fences and walls in Richmond: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Richmond Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Richmond's code says

Richmond code What Richmond's code adds
Corner visibility	Within the sight triangle, at most 42 inches; any part over 42 inches may not be more than 50% opaque. Applies: Applies in residential zones at sight-triangle locations. § 15.04.601.060 · code text b. Sight Triangle. No fence that is a visual obstruction may be constructed or maintained within the sight triangle (see Section 15.04.601.160). A fence shall be deemed to be a visual obstruction if any part of it over 42 inches high has opacity in excess of 50 percent. D. Maximum Fencing Height in Residential Zone Districts. Fence height in Residential zoning districts shall be limited by its location as specified below in Table 15.04.601.060-D. TABLE 15.04.601.060-D: ALLOWABLE FENCE HEIGHTS \| Location of Fence \| Maximum Basic Height \| Maximum Height Exceptions \| Notes \| \| --- \| --- \| --- \| --- \| \| Front yard \| 4 feet \| 6 feet if non-view-obscuring (not in excess of 50% opacity) above 4 feet \| Front yard fences above 4 feet in height require the approval of the Zoning Administrator. \| \| Side yard \| 6 feet \| 8 feet \| The maximum height exception may be allowed only if both abutting residential structures have at least 10-foot side yard setbacks, or if a residential lot abuts a mixed use, commercial or industrial use, subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator. \| \| Rear yard \| 6 feet \| 8 feet \| The maximum height exception may be allowed only when a rear yard abuts an interior side yard, subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator. \| \| Within the sight triangle \| 42 inches \| None \| \|
Front yard height	No more than 4 feet tall. Applies: Front yards in residential zoning districts. § 15.04.601.060 · code text Front yard \| 4 feet \| 6 feet if non-view-obscuring (not in excess of 50% opacity) above 4 feet Up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Front yards in residential districts, if the part above 4 feet is no more than 50% solid; Zoning Administrator approval needed. § 15.04.601.060 · code text Front yard \| 4 feet \| 6 feet if non-view-obscuring (not in excess of 50% opacity) above 4 feet
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Side yards in residential zoning districts. § 15.04.601.060 · code text Side yard \| 6 feet \| 8 feet \| The maximum height exception may be allowed only if both abutting residential structures have at least 10-foot side yard setbacks, or if a residential lot abuts a mixed use, commercial or industrial use, subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator. Up to 8 feet tall, with approval. Applies: Residential side yards where both neighboring homes have side setbacks of at least 10 feet, or next to mixed use, commercial or industrial uses. § 15.04.601.060 · code text Side yard \| 6 feet \| 8 feet \| The maximum height exception may be allowed only if both abutting residential structures have at least 10-foot side yard setbacks, or if a residential lot abuts a mixed use, commercial or industrial use, subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator. No more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Rear yards in residential zoning districts. § 15.04.601.060 · code text Rear yard \| 6 feet \| 8 feet \| The maximum height exception may be allowed only when a rear yard abuts an interior side yard, subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator. Up to 8 feet tall, with approval. Applies: Residential rear yards that border a neighbor's interior side yard. § 15.04.601.060 · code text Rear yard \| 6 feet \| 8 feet \| The maximum height exception may be allowed only when a rear yard abuts an interior side yard, subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator. At most 6 feet in residential side yards. Applies: Up to 8 feet with Zoning Administrator approval if both homes have at least 10-foot side setbacks, or lot abuts mixed-use, commercial or industrial use. § 15.04.601.060 · code text Side yard \| 6 feet \| 8 feet 6 feet in residential rear yards. Applies: Up to 8 feet where the rear yard abuts an interior side yard and the Zoning Administrator approves. § 15.04.601.060 · code text Rear yard \| 6 feet \| 8 feet
Permit	All fences need Zoning Conformance approval; fences over 6 feet also need a building permit. § 15.04.601.060 · code text All fences require Zoning Conformance approval by the Zoning Administrator. Any fence over six feet in height requires a building permit.

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How tall can a fence be in Richmond?

Residential front fences are limited to 4 feet, or 6 feet with approval if the part above 4 feet is at most 50% solid. Residential side and rear fences are limited to 6 feet, or 8 feet with Zoning Administrator approval in some locations.

Fences and walls in Richmond

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