Fence and Wall Height Regulations in Kissimmee
In the City of Kissimmee, the standard maximum height for fences and walls located in side and rear yards is six feet. The City of Kissimmee Director may grant administrative approval for heights up to ten feet if necessitated by unique topographic conditions or the specific screening requirements of an outdoor storage area. Fences used for required perimeter buffering between incompatible land uses in Kissimmee are typically mandated to be at least six feet in height.
Maximum Height Standards for Side and Rear Yards
In the City of Kissimmee, the regulations for fences and walls depend primarily on their location on the lot. For the majority of residential and non-residential properties, the City of Kissimmee Land Development Code (LDC) establishes a baseline height for privacy and security structures.
Standard Height Limits
Fences and walls located within the required side or rear yard setbacks must generally not exceed six feet in height [Section 14-6-5.B.2]. These structures may be placed directly on the property line, but the "finished" side of the fence must face toward the neighboring property or the public right-of-way [Section 14-6-5.B.1].
Administrative Height Increases
The City of Kissimmee provides two specific scenarios where the maximum height may be increased beyond the six-foot standard:
- Topography: If unique topographic changes on the site make a standard fence ineffective for privacy or security, the Director may approve a height of up to ten feet [Section 14-6-5.B.2].
- Outdoor Storage: When a fence or wall is required to screen an outdoor storage area with unique characteristics, the City of Kissimmee may allow the structure to reach ten feet in height [Section 14-6-5.B.2].
| Yard Location | Standard Maximum Height | Maximum Height with Director Approval |
|---|---|---|
| Side Yard | 6 feet | 10 feet |
| Rear Yard | 6 feet | 10 feet |
| Front Yard | 3 feet | 6 feet (if 15% opaque/solid fence) |
Buffering and Screening Requirements
In many City of Kissimmee zoning districts, fences or walls are not just permitted but required as part of a landscape buffer between different types of land uses.
Residential Buffers
When a multi-family use in the City of Kissimmee is adjacent to a single-family dwelling or district, a six-foot masonry wall is generally required within a 25-foot perimeter landscape area [Section 14-8-16.B]. In the City of Kissimmee Form-Based Code area, developments in the T5 or T6 zones adjacent to T3 or T4 residential zones must provide a six-foot-high solid fence along the shared property line [Section 14-5-11.E.2].
Special Screening for Equipment and Storage
The City of Kissimmee requires specific heights for fences used to screen utilitarian site features:
- Outdoor Storage: Must be completely screened by a wall, fence, or buffer with a height of at least six feet [Section 14-6-12.E].
- Fleet Vehicle Parking: In Industrial (IB) or Business Park (BP) districts, these areas must be screened by a wall or fence with a height of at least six feet [Section 14-6-10.D.3].
- Dumpsters: Enclosures must be a minimum of six feet in height [Section 14-10-8.D].
Construction and Maintenance
A building permit is required before any person or entity may erect a fence or wall within the City of Kissimmee limits [Section 14-6-5.A]. Within the City of Kissimmee Form-Based Code area, specific material requirements apply; for example, street walls must be constructed of wrought iron, brick, masonry, stone, or powder-coated aluminum [Section 14-5-11.F.5]. Chain link, wood, and PVC fences are prohibited for use as street walls in these specific areas [Section 14-5-11.F.5].
Sections Cited
- Section 14-5-11. Landscape, buffers and screening standards.
- Section 14-6-5. Fences and walls.
- Section 14-6-10. Outdoor display and storage of vehicles.
- Section 14-6-12. Outdoor storage.
- Section 14-8-16. Perimeter landscaping and buffers between uses.
- Section 14-10-8. Dumpsters.