Fence Height Standards for Side and Rear Yards in Mesa
In the City of Mesa, the maximum allowed height for a fence in side and rear yards is generally 6 feet within all Agricultural and Residential districts. For all other zoning districts, including Commercial and Employment areas, the maximum height for fences located in interior side and rear yards is increased to 8 feet [Section 11-30-4].
General Fence Height Requirements by District
The City of Mesa Zoning Ordinance differentiates fence height permissions based on the specific zoning of the property and whether the yard in question is an "interior" yard or a "street-facing" yard.
| Yard Location | AG, RS, RSL, RM, and DR Districts | All Other Zoning Districts |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Side Yard | 6.0 feet | 8.0 feet |
| Rear Yard | 6.0 feet | 8.0 feet |
| Street Side Yard | 6.0 feet | 3.5 feet |
| Front Yard | 3.5 feet (up to 4.5 feet if transparent*) | 3.5 feet |
| Visibility Triangle | 3.0 feet | 3.0 feet |
*Fences in the required front yard of Agricultural or Residential districts may reach 4.5 feet in height provided the topmost 1.5 feet is visually transparent and not opaque [Section 11-30-4].
Fencing Standards for Residential and Agricultural Districts
For properties within the City of Mesa designated as Agricultural (AG), Single Residence (RS), Residential Small Lot (RSL), Multiple Residence (RM), or Downtown Residence (DR), the following supplemental rules apply:
Standard Side and Rear Yards
The City of Mesa prohibits any fence or freestanding wall from exceeding 6 feet in height when located within or along the exterior boundary of a required side or rear yard [Section 11-30-4].
Corral Fences
Within the City of Mesa's Agricultural (AG), RS-90, and RS-43 districts, "corral fences" used for the keeping of livestock or similar large animals are permitted. These structures are subject to a maximum height limit of 6 feet and must be constructed of materials such as masonry, wrought iron, or pipe-rail [Section 11-30-4].
Privacy Buffers in Downtown Districts
In the Downtown Residence (DR) districts, the City of Mesa requires the construction of a privacy wall when a new multiple-residence project is built adjacent to an existing single residence. This wall must be 6 feet in height and constructed of masonry with an approved finish [Section 11-30-4].
Fencing Standards for Commercial and Employment Districts
In all other City of Mesa zoning districts (such as NC, LC, GC, LI, GI, and HI), different height standards are utilized to balance security and aesthetics.
Interior Side and Rear Yards
Fences or freestanding walls located in interior side or rear yards in these districts may be built up to a maximum height of 8 feet [Section 11-30-4].
Street Side Yard Restrictions
Fencing in required street side yards is more strictly regulated in these districts to preserve the public realm and traffic safety. Fences in these locations are restricted to a maximum height of 3.5 feet [Section 11-30-4].
Important Safety and Design Limitations
Regardless of the district, the City of Mesa enforces the following safety and material standards:
- Visibility at Intersections: To ensure traffic safety, the City of Mesa prohibits any fence, wall, or shrubbery from exceeding a height of 3 feet within a defined "visibility triangle" at street intersections or driveways [Section 11-30-14].
- Prohibited Materials: The use of razor wire, razor tape, embedded glass shards, and electrified fencing is strictly prohibited in the City of Mesa. Barbed wire is generally prohibited except when used specifically for livestock enclosures [Section 11-30-4].
- Fence Articulation: For fences adjacent to the public right-of-way or private streets functioning as public roads, the City of Mesa requires articulation (such as columns or landscaping pockets) if a continuous wall plane exceeds 40 feet in length [Section 11-30-4].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-30-4: Fences and Freestanding Walls
- Section 11-30-14: Visibility at Intersections