Arlington County Fence Height Standards for Rear and Side Yards
In Arlington County, the standard maximum height for fences and walls located within required side or rear yards is seven feet. Specific allowances exist for specialized structures, such as flood walls which may reach 14 feet, or fences for public parks and stormwater facilities which are permitted up to eight feet in height. All fencing in Arlington County must also adhere to visual clearance regulations to ensure safety at street intersections.
| Fence or Wall Location/Application | Maximum Permitted Height |
|---|---|
| Standard Side or Rear Yard (All Districts) | 7 feet |
| Side and Rear Yards of Corner Lots (Within street setback) | 6 feet |
| Publicly Owned or Operated Parks (Side or Rear Yard) | 8 feet |
| Stormwater Management Facilities (Side or Rear Setback) | 8 feet |
| Flood Walls (Side or Rear Setback) | 14 feet |
| Schools and Playgrounds (Open mesh type) | Permitted in any setback |
General side and Rear Yard Regulations
Under the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance, fences and walls are generally permitted to encroach into required side and rear yards up to a maximum height of seven feet [§3.2.6.A.3(e)(2)]. This standard applies across various zoning classifications, including Residential (R), Residential Apartment (RA), Commercial (C), and Industrial (M) districts.
Corner Lot Exceptions
In Arlington County, side and rear yards on corner lots are subject to stricter height limitations if they fall within the required street side setback. Fences and walls in these specific areas may only be erected up to six feet in height and must be set back at least three feet from any public right-of-way [§3.2.6.A.3(e)(1)i]. Furthermore, for the seven-foot height allowance to apply on a corner lot, the fence or wall must be located to the rear of the required street side setback line [§3.2.6.A.3(e)(2)i].
Special Land Use Allowances
Arlington County provides increased height allowances for fences and walls serving specific public or utility functions:
- Public Parks: Fences and walls used for publicly owned or operated parks and open spaces are permitted to reach a height of eight feet in any required side or rear yard [§3.2.6.A.3(e)(2)ii].
- Stormwater Facilities: Any lot used for stormwater management facilities may have fences and walls up to eight feet in height within the required side or rear lot line setbacks [§3.2.6.A.3(e)(2)iii].
- Flood Protection: To ensure community safety, flood walls are permitted to be constructed up to 14 feet in height within any required side or rear lot line setback [§3.2.6.A.3(e)(2)iv].
- Educational Facilities: Any open mesh type fence used to enclose a school or playground is permitted within any required setback in Arlington County [§3.2.6.A.3(e)(5)].
Visual Clearance at Intersections
Regardless of the maximum height allowed, all fences and walls must comply with visual clearance requirements for corners to prevent traffic hazards [§3.2.6.A.3(e)(4)].
Residential and Apartment Districts
On any corner lot in an R or RA district, there shall be no fence, wall, or other obstruction to vision between a height of three feet and 10 feet above the curb level. This restriction applies within the triangular area formed by the street right-of-way lines and a line connecting those points 25 feet from their intersection [§3.2.6.A.4(a)].
Commercial, Industrial, and Public Districts
In C, M, and P-S districts, the sight triangle is smaller but the height restriction is broader. No obstruction is permitted between a height of one foot and 10 feet above the curb level within the triangle formed by the street right-of-way lines and a line connecting those points 10 feet from their intersection [§3.2.6.A.4(b)].
Exclusions from Height Calculations
When determining the height of a wall or fence in Arlington County, certain safety features are excluded. Specifically, handrails and guardrails that are affixed to the top of a wall and required by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) for safety purposes do not count toward the maximum height limits [§3.2.6.A.3(e)(3)].
Sections Cited
- §3.2.6.A.3(e) Encroachments allowed into required yards and courts (Fences and walls)
- §3.2.6.A.4 Visual clearance (corners)