FENCE RULES – FORT LAUDERDALE (CITY), FLORIDA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Fort Lauderdale, subject to local regulations.
The City of Fort Lauderdale regulates residential fences through the Unified Land Development Regulations, including Section 47-19.5, Fences, Walls and Hedges, and through Development Services Department permit review materials.
This page focuses on typical single-family residential fencing. If the jurisdiction’s adopted materials do not state a specific limit or requirement, this page notes that the code does not specify one.
Compiled From City of Fort Lauderdale Development Services Department materials, Building FAQ, Zoning materials, Zoning FAQ, Fence/Wall/Gate Permit Checklist, FBC Code Guidance for Wood Fences, Chainlink Fence Table, Unified Land Development Regulations, and Code of Ordinances as of April 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The governing authority is the City of Fort Lauderdale. Fence review is administered through the Development Services Department, with building, zoning, landscaping, electrical, and engineering review applied as listed in the City’s Fence/Wall/Gate Permit Checklist.
The Zoning Division applies and enforces the Unified Land Development Regulations. The principal fence standards appear in ULDR Section 47-19.5, Fences, Walls and Hedges, with additional administrative requirements in City permit checklists and fence construction guidance.
The City does not publish a single homeowner-only fence code. Residential fence rules appear across zoning standards, permit submittal requirements, construction guidance, visibility rules, and site-specific review triggers such as easements and street-side placement.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit: The Fence/Wall/Gate Permit Checklist lists a Building Permit as a required permit application for fence, wall, and gate work.
• Electrical Permit: An Electrical Permit is required if electrical work is installed.
• Review Stops: The checklist lists Building, Zoning, Landscaping, and, when applicable, Electrical and Engineering review. Landscaping review is not required if the fence is located in the Riverland Road annexed area or the Broward County annexed areas. Engineering review applies if the fence is located within an easement.
• Plan Submittal: The checklist requires a site plan showing the proposed structure and setback dimensions to all property lines, unless those dimensions are represented on the submitted survey.
• Survey / Zoning Affidavit: The checklist requires signed and sealed survey originals or two copies with a completed Zoning Affidavit.
• Design Documents: Signed and sealed plans by a Florida Licensed Architect or Engineer are required if installing a PVC or metal fence. Wood and chain link fences must be installed under the prescribed Florida Building Code method if not designed by an architect or engineer.
• Chain Link Fence Table: A Chain Link Fence Table must be completed and submitted for chain link fences.
• Easement Affidavit: If the fence is located within an easement, the checklist requires a notarized Temporary Structure Affidavit filed and recorded with Broward County.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Street-Side Setback: In City-zoned areas, fences must be set back at least 3 feet from all street-side property lines. A fence may be installed along the front property line by the street only in the Riverland annexed area and Broward County zoned areas.
• Side and Rear Setbacks: Table 1 of ULDR Section 47-19.5 lists 0-foot side and rear setbacks for the residential fence categories shown in the table. Fences must remain on private property and must not encroach into rights-of-way or easements.
• Street-Facing Landscaping: Residential fences and walls facing a street must be planted with continuous hedges, shrubs, groundcover, or a combination in the area between the property line and the fence or wall unless the fence is permitted at the property line under Table 1. The checklist identifies hedges and shrubs at 2 feet tall planted 2 feet apart, and groundcover at 6 inches tall planted 6 inches apart.
• Sight Triangles: Fences may not be installed within a required sight triangle.
• Seawalls: A fence may not be installed along a seawall. The Zoning FAQ states that nothing but a mooring device can be installed or attached to a seawall.
• Easements: Fences located within an easement require Engineering review and the recorded Temporary Structure Affidavit identified in the Fence/Wall/Gate Permit Checklist.
• Gates: Gates must swing or slide in a manner that does not obstruct public ways.
• Utility Safety: Florida law requires notice through Sunshine 811 before excavation or demolition. For fence projects that involve digging, including fence post holes, notice generally must be given at least 2 full business days before excavation begins on land.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• Residential Fence Height Table: The residential zoning district rows in ULDR Section 47-19.5 list fence, wall, and chain link fence categories up to 6 feet 6 inches in height. A separate table category labeled Residential/Non-Residential Zoning Districts lists fence, wall, and chain link fence categories up to 10 feet.
• Low Fences and Walls: Fences and walls up to 2 feet 6 inches may have 0-foot street, side, and rear setbacks under Table 1.
• Transparent Fences and Walls: Fences and walls from 2 feet 6 inches to 4 feet 4 inches with 75 to 100 percent transparency may have 0-foot street, side, and rear setbacks under Table 1.
• Less Transparent Street-Side Fences: Fences and walls from 2 feet 6 inches to 4 feet 4 inches with less than 75 percent transparency require a minimum average 3-foot street-side setback under Table 1.
• Taller Residential Fences: Residential fences and walls from 4 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 6 inches, and residential chain link fences up to 6 feet 6 inches, require a minimum average 3-foot street-side setback under Table 1.
• Sight Triangle Dimensions: The ULDR defines sight triangles as 10 feet from the intersection of a driveway edge and curb or pavement edge, 15 feet from the extended property-line intersection at an alley and street, and 25 feet from the extended property-line intersection at a street and street.
• Sight Triangle Visibility: No opaque fence, hedge, or wall may exceed 2½ feet in height within a sight triangle.
• Waterway Visibility: For properties abutting a waterway, no opaque fence, hedge, or wall may exceed 2½ feet in height within 10 feet of the edge of the waterway.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Prohibited Residential Materials: Barbed wire, electrified wire, razor wire fences, and barbed, electrified, or razor-wire-topped fences or walls are prohibited on residentially zoned property.
• Finished Side Requirement: All fences must be finished on the side facing the neighboring property or right-of-way, except when a new fence directly abuts an existing wall or fence preventing access. When both sides of a fence are visible from a right-of-way, both sides must be finished.
• Wood Fences: The City’s wood fence guidance applies Florida Building Code requirements for wood fences, including decay and termite resistant material, load design, post and footing requirements, horizontal rails, lumber grade, and corrosion-resistant fasteners where the prescribed method is used.
• PVC and Metal Fences: The checklist requires signed and sealed plans by a Florida Licensed Architect or Engineer for PVC or metal fences.
• Chain Link Fences: Chain link fences require submission of the City’s Chain Link Fence Table.
• Product Approvals: Product approvals are required when applicable. The wood fence guidance notes that premanufactured sections may not comply with code and may require product approval.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
• Private Covenants: Homeowners’ association rules, deed restrictions, private covenants, and private easements operate independently of City fence rules and may be more restrictive.
• Private Approval: City permit approval does not remove separately applicable private restrictions.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Permit Review: Fence, wall, and gate work is reviewed through the required Building Permit process and the checklist’s review stops.
• Zoning Review: Zoning review includes ULDR fence standards, street-side setbacks, sight-triangle limits, and street-facing landscape requirements.
• Visibility Review: Sight triangles and waterway visibility areas are reviewed for opaque fence, hedge, and wall height limits.
• Easement Review: Fences located within easements are reviewed through Engineering and the Temporary Structure Affidavit process.
• Right-of-Way Review: Fence placement, gates, and improvements must not obstruct public ways or encroach into rights-of-way.
• Material and Finish Review: Residential prohibited-wire limits, finished-side requirements, wood fence guidance, chain link table requirements, and product approval requirements may be reviewed during permit processing or inspection.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Fort Lauderdale, based on publicly available materials reviewed as of April 2026.
In addition to local fence rules, certain Florida laws apply statewide. See Statewide Fence Laws in Florida.
It is not legal advice and does not replace official ordinances, permits, surveys, or professional guidance. Rules and interpretations may change, and application may vary based on zoning district, site conditions, easements, rights-of-way, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with Development Services Department and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Fort Lauderdale staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.