Fayetteville Fence Height Regulations for Side and Rear Yards

Fences located in the side and rear yards of properties in Fayetteville are permitted to reach a maximum height of 8 feet. According to the Fayetteville Unified Development Code, these fences must also maintain a minimum height of 36 inches when located behind the principal façade of the primary structure.

General Height Standards for Fences

The City of Fayetteville distinguishes between fences located in front of a building and those located in the side or rear yards. For any fence, garden wall, or hedge situated in a side or rear yard—specifically defined as being behind the principal façade of the main building—the Fayetteville Unified Development Code establishes specific height boundaries to ensure both privacy and consistent neighborhood character.

Side and Rear Yard Requirements

In both the general Fayetteville landscape regulations and the specific Downtown Design Overlay District, the height requirements for side and rear yards are identical. These standards ensure that while residents can secure their property, the structures remain within a scale appropriate for the community.

Yard Location	Minimum Height	Maximum Height
Side Yard (Behind Principal Façade)	36 inches	8 feet
Rear Yard (Behind Principal Façade)	36 inches	8 feet
Front Yard (In Front of Principal Façade)	N/A	42 inches

[Section 166.21 (D)(6)(b)] [Section 177.04 (6)(b)]

Opacity and Visibility

Fayetteville regulations also address how "solid" a fence can be based on its location. Fences in the front yard of a Fayetteville property are prohibited from being 100% opaque; they must provide visible separation between the fence slats [Section 177.04 (6)(a)(ii)].

However, for the side and rear yards, the Fayetteville Unified Development Code allows for more privacy. Fences in a rear or side yard may be up to 100% opaque, provided they are located at least 10 feet behind the principal façade of the primary structure [Section 177.04 (6)(a)(ii)].

Intersection Visibility

Regardless of the 8-foot allowance for side and rear yards, all fences in Fayetteville must comply with "Visibility at Intersections" rules. On corner lots, no fence or vegetation may be erected or planted in a manner that materially impedes vision between a height of 2.5 feet and 10 feet above the centerline grades of the intersecting streets [Section 164.17].

Prohibited Materials

When constructing a fence in Fayetteville, certain materials are strictly prohibited for safety and aesthetic reasons:

Razor and/or Barbed Wire: These are prohibited if they are visible from the street right-of-way or a residence. An exception exists for specific agricultural purposes [Section 164.09 (B)(a)].
Chain Link: While generally allowed, chain link fences are prohibited in the front of a building if the property is located within the Downtown Design Overlay District [Section 164.09 (B)(b)].

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