Residential Fence and Wall Height Regulations in Mesa, Arizona
In the City of Mesa, the maximum height for an opaque fence or freestanding wall in a required front yard is 3.5 feet. Residential property owners in Mesa may increase the front yard fence height to a maximum of 4.5 feet only if the topmost 1.5 feet of the structure is visually transparent and not opaque. Fences located in the side or rear yards of residential districts are generally permitted to reach a maximum height of 6 feet.
General Height Standards for Residential Districts
The City of Mesa Zoning Ordinance establishes specific height limitations for fences and freestanding walls within the AG (Agricultural), RS (Single Residence), RSL (Small Lot Single Residence), RM (Multiple Residence), and DR (Downtown Residence) districts. These regulations are designed to maintain neighborhood character while ensuring public safety and visibility.
Residential Fence Height Requirements Table
| Yard Location | Maximum Opaque Height | Maximum Total Height (with Transparency) |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | 3.5 feet | 4.5 feet¹ |
| Side Yard | 6.0 feet | 6.0 feet |
| Rear Yard | 6.0 feet | 6.0 feet |
| Corner Lot Visibility Triangle | 3.0 feet | 3.0 feet |
¹ Note: To reach the 4.5-foot maximum in a front yard, the topmost 1.5 feet must be visually transparent [Section 11-30-4(A)(1)(a)].
Transparency Requirements for Front Yards
Under the Mesa Zoning Ordinance, any fence or wall placed within or along the exterior boundary of a required front yard that exceeds 3.5 feet must meet transparency criteria. Specifically, the portion of the fence between 3.0 feet and 4.5 feet must be constructed of materials that allow for clear visibility, such as wrought iron or open pickets, ensuring the structure is not a solid barrier to sight [Section 11-30-4(A)(1)(a)].
Exceptions for Large Residential Lots and Livestock
In specific residential districts intended for larger lots, the City of Mesa allows for "Corral Fences" used for the keeping of livestock. These provisions apply to the RS-90 and RS-43 districts:
- Corral Fences: These may be constructed to a maximum height of 6 feet [Section 11-30-4(A)(2)(c)].
- Material Standards: Corral fences must be constructed of masonry, wrought iron, pipe-rail, or similar materials. They cannot be made of solid wood or chain-link/barbed wire [Section 11-30-4(A)(2)(a)].
- Transparency: A corral fence must maintain a minimum transparency of 66 percent on its exterior surface to maintain visibility and allow for the transfer of light and air [Section 11-30-4(A)(2)(b)].
Corner Lot and Visibility Regulations
The City of Mesa enforces strict "Sight Visibility Triangles" at intersections and driveways to protect motorists and pedestrians.
- Intersection Visibility: Within the triangular yard space formed by intersecting center lines, no fence, wall, or shrubbery may be erected or maintained between a height of 3 feet and 8 feet above the centerline grades [Section 11-30-14].
- Corner Lots Abutting Key Lots: If the rear property line of a corner lot abuts the side property line of an adjoining "key lot," a 10-foot deep by 10-foot wide visibility triangle must be maintained. Within this area, the fence height is restricted to ensure safety for the neighboring property's driveway [Section 11-30-4(D)].
Prohibited Materials
The Mesa Zoning Ordinance prohibits the use of certain materials for residential fencing, including:
- Barbed wire (except for livestock enclosures).
- Razor wire.
- Embedded glass shards.
- Electrified fencing.
- Ultra barriers [Section 11-30-4(A)(6)].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-4-3 - Agricultural District Development Standards
- Section 11-5-3 - Development Standards for the RS and RSL Districts
- Section 11-8-4 - Downtown Residence Districts Development Standards
- Section 11-30-4 - Fences and Freestanding Walls
- Section 11-30-14 - Visibility at Intersections
- Section 11-41-8 - Sight Visibility Triangles