Fences and walls in Waterford: the local rules

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

What Waterford's code says

Waterford code What Waterford's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet above the sidewalk or driveway. Applies: In the triangle beside a private driveway, 10 feet along the sidewalk and 10 feet along the driveway. Without a sidewalk, use its projected line. § 17.62.100 · code text Fences, hedges, walls and other ornamental landscaping or other visual obstruction over three feet high above the sidewalk and/or driveway elevation shall not be permitted to be located within the triangular area adjacent to a private driveway formed by measuring ten feet from the driveway along a sidewalk and ten feet along the driveway from the sidewalk.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet, measured from the highest finished grade. Applies: Residential corner lots, side or rear yards only. Street side: not within 10 feet of curb or past property line, whichever is nearer the street. § 17.62.030 · code text Fences, walls and hedges not exceeding six feet in height, measured from the highest finished grade from any adjoining and subject properties, may occupy a side or rear yard area, provided: No more than 6 feet. Applies: Along an interior side property line between the front yard setback and the rear yard, in residential districts. § 17.62.030 · code text Interior Property Line. Maximum six feet high between front yard setback and rear yard; No more than 6 feet. Applies: On residential corner lots, outside the front yard setback. § 17.62.030 · code text Corner. Maximum three feet high in front yard setback; six feet high outside of setback. Up to 4 feet. Applies: On residential side and corner lots, for see-through fences such as chain link, with staff approval. § 17.62.030 · code text Side and Corner Lots. Fences with visual clearance (such as chain link) may be allowed up to four feet in height, subject to staff approval. No more than 6 feet. Applies: On the rear property line in residential districts. § 17.62.030 · code text Maximum six feet on rear property line. No more than 6 feet. Applies: Between the required front yard setback and the rear property line, unless architectural review approval is obtained. § 17.62.030 · code text No fence, wall or hedge of any kind located between the required front yard setback and the rear property line shall be constructed or maintained to exceed six feet in height unless architectural review approval as to its height, placement and design is obtained pursuant to the procedures of Chapter 17.52. Up to 8 feet. Applies: Rear and interior side fences over 6 feet, including lattice, need a building permit and written consent of adjacent owners. § 17.62.030 · code text All fences exceeding six feet in height to a maximum of eight feet (including those with lattice work) require a building permit and written consent of property owner(s) adjacent to the proposed fence;
Front yard height	No more than 3 feet. Applies: Within the front yard setback in residential districts. Higher only with architectural review approval. § 17.62.030 · code text Maximum three feet high within front yard setback; Up to 4 feet. Applies: In residential front yards, for see-through fences such as chain link, with staff approval. § 17.62.030 · code text Fences with visual clearance (such as chain link) may be allowed up to four feet in height, subject to staff approval. No more than 4 feet, plus the light fixture. Applies: Only for front yard fence posts with lights, no more than 2 posts, each no more than 18 inches wide and deep. § 17.62.030 · code text Front yard fence posts with attached lights (not more than two permitted, not to exceed four feet in height plus light fixture and not to exceed eighteen inches in width and depth);
Permit	Yes, a permit from the city public works department. Applies: For a fence in a public right-of-way or any easement, including a utility easement. § 17.62.100 · code text No fence shall be constructed upon the public right-of-way or within any easement, including a public utility easement, prior to the issuance of a permit by the Waterford public works department Yes, a building permit for fences over 6 feet and up to 8 feet. Includes fences with lattice. Written consent of adjacent property owners is also required. § 17.62.030 · code text All fences exceeding six feet in height to a maximum of eight feet (including those with lattice work) require a building permit and written consent of property owner(s) adjacent to the proposed fence;

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How tall can a fence be in Waterford?

In residential districts, Waterford limits fences to 3 feet in the front yard setback and 6 feet along side and rear property lines.

Fences and walls in Waterford

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What Waterford's code says

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