FENCE RULES – KISSIMMEE (CITY), FLORIDA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Kissimmee, subject to local regulations.
In City of Kissimmee, the primary residential fence standards appear in the Land Development Code, especially section 14-6-5, Fences and Walls. Additional location-based rules appear in related provisions governing traffic visibility, the form-based code area, and certain residential lots that abut major streets.
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.
City of Kissimmee also publishes Fences & Walls as a permit type through its Permits & Inspections materials, with administration through the Development Services Department.
Compiled From the City of Kissimmee Land Development Code, Development Services Department, Permits & Inspections, Planning and Zoning Division, and Code Enforcement materials as of April 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The governing authority is the City of Kissimmee.
City of Kissimmee does not rely on a single standalone fence ordinance. Standard residential fence rules appear primarily in the Land Development Code, especially section 14-6-5, Fences and Walls, with related provisions in the form-based code and other location-based development standards.
Administrative oversight appears through the Development Services Department. Within that department, the Planning and Zoning Division oversees administration of the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code, and the city’s permit materials are published through Permits & Inspections.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit: A building permit is required to erect any fence or wall within the city limits.
• Published Permit Type: City of Kissimmee lists Fences & Walls under its permit types for construction of a PVC, wood, aluminum, masonry, vinyl coated chain link, or other ornamental fence or wall.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with Planning and Zoning Division before construction.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Side and Rear Yards: Side and rear yard fences may be located in the required yard, but the finished side of the fence shall face away from the property on which it is located.
• Property Lines, Rights-of-Way, and Easements: The ordinance does not state a setback requirement for standard residential fences from property lines; however, fences must be located entirely on the owner’s property and must not encroach into rights-of-way or easements.
• Traffic Visibility: Fences shall not be allowed within the sight visibility triangle.
• Form-Based Code Area: For properties within the form-based code area, chapter 14-5 applies. Street walls or fences in required front and street side yard setbacks are not permitted in the right-of-way.
• Lots Along Arterial or Collector Streets: Where the rear or side yard of a single family lot abuts an arterial or collector street, a six-foot high continuous decorative masonry wall or berm with hedge shall be constructed.
• 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
• Side and Rear Yard Height: The maximum height is 6 feet, except that the director may approve a fence or wall up to 10 feet in height if dictated by unique topographic conditions or required to screen an outdoor storage area of unique characteristics.
• Front Yard Height: The maximum height is 3 feet unless the fence or wall is a retaining wall or a decorative open fence with no more than 15 percent opaque area, in which case the maximum height is 6 feet.
• Form-Based Code Area Frontage: Within the form-based code area, street walls or fences in required front and street side yard setbacks must be at least 2.5 feet high and no more than 5 feet high. The portion above 2.5 feet must be transparent.
• Traffic Visibility: Fences are prohibited within the sight visibility triangle.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Allowed Materials: Allowable fence materials include aluminum, treated wood, vinyl, ornamental iron, chain link, concrete, brick, or stone.
• Chain Link Front Yard Restriction: Chain link fences in the front yard are prohibited, unless provided in conjunction with a public school.
• Chain Link Finish: Where permitted, chain link fences shall be coated in green or black vinyl.
• Chain Link Slats: The use of slats within chain link or similar fencing for screening is not allowed.
• Barbed Wire and Electric Fences: Barbed wire and electric fences are allowed only for agricultural uses in the AC district, may not be placed in the front or street side yards, and are prohibited in all other zoning districts.
• Major Street Buffer Construction: Where a single family lot’s rear or side yard abuts an arterial or collector street, the required wall must be decorative masonry or a berm with hedge and use finished, maintenance-free materials such as brick, split-faced masonry block, textured concrete, or similar materials consistent with surrounding architecture.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Private covenants, deed restrictions, and HOA rules operate independently of City of Kissimmee regulations and may be more restrictive than the city’s published standards.
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: Whether the proposed work involves erection of a fence or wall that requires a building permit under the Land Development Code and the city’s published permit materials.
• Height and Yard Placement: Whether the proposed fence meets City of Kissimmee front, side, or rear yard height limits and any location-specific rules.
• Visibility Hazards: Whether a fence intrudes into the sight visibility triangle.
• Right-of-Way Encroachments: Whether a fence or wall extends into the public right-of-way or conflicts with the right-of-way limitations that apply in the form-based code area.
• Complaint-Based Enforcement: The Code Enforcement Division states that it enforces city codes, seeks voluntary compliance first, and may refer unresolved violations to the Code Enforcement Special Magistrate.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Kissimmee, 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 Kissimmee staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.