| Fence | City of Annapolis |
|---|---|
| Any new, altered or replaced fence or wall | Fence permit |
| Removing more than 400 ft of fence | Fence permit |
| Along a street in R2-NC, R3-NC and R3-NC2 | 4 ft maximum (gates up to 2 ft higher) |
| Corner lots and driveways | Keep the 25-ft sight triangle clear between 2.5 and 12 ft high |
| Any fence in the Historic District | Historic Preservation Commission approval |
1. Every fence needs a permit
City Code §17.34.010 requires a fence permit for any new, altered or replaced fence or wall, and for removing more than 400 feet of fence. The application needs a scaled drawing showing the fence location, property lines, any tree 5 inches or more in diameter within 3 feet, and steep slopes, plus the design and materials. Work must start within 30 days of the permit and finish within 120 days.
2. Building it
- Posts and footings go at least 30 inches below grade.
- Use manufactured fence materials: wood, masonry, stone, wire, metal or plastic. No barbed wire.
- The finished side faces out, toward neighbors and the street.
- Keep a 3-foot clear radius around fire hydrants and utility boxes, don't damage trees 5 inches or more in diameter, and don't divert stormwater.
- No fence in the right-of-way or an easement without Public Works approval.
3. Where and how high
Fences can go up to the property line but not over it (§21.60.070); a survey avoids disputes, which the City leaves to neighbors. Along a public street in the R2-NC, R3-NC and R3-NC2 districts, fences are limited to 4 feet, with decorative gates up to 2 feet higher; the Planning and Zoning Director can approve up to 4 more feet through an administrative adjustment. At street, alley and driveway corners, keep a sight triangle 25 feet back each way clear between 2.5 and 12 feet above the street (§21.60.075). Inside a protected view cone, fences are limited to 4 feet, or 6 feet if the part above 4 feet is at least half open. In other districts the zoning code currently sets no general height cap, so confirm the limit for your lot with Planning and Zoning; a fence over 7 feet also needs a building permit under the residential code.
4. The Historic District
Every new or altered fence in the Historic District needs Historic Preservation Commission approval (§21.60.070, §21.56.040), and the City's code counts fences as structures for that review. See our historic district guide for the design direction.
5. City or county?
Outside city limits, Anne Arundel County requires a fence permit only over 6 feet, on corner lots or on waterfront lots; see our county fence guide and the City of Annapolis permit guide.
