Raleigh Corner Lot Fence and Sight Triangle Regulations
In the City of Raleigh, fences or walls located within a front or side street setback on a corner lot are generally limited to a maximum height of 6.5 feet, provided that any portion of the fence above 4 feet in height does not exceed 50% opacity. Additionally, the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) prohibits the placement of obstructions, including specific signage and landscaping, within sight distance triangles to ensure motorist and pedestrian safety at intersections.
Fence and Wall Regulations for Corner Lots
For properties within the City of Raleigh, corner lots are unique because they possess both a primary street setback and a side street setback. Under the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, both of these areas are subject to specific height and material standards.
Height Limitations
The height of a fence or wall is determined by its location on the lot relative to the required setbacks.
| Location on Corner Lot | Maximum Height | Opacity Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Front or Side Street Setback | 6.5 feet | Max 50% opacity for the portion above 4 feet |
| Side or Rear Setback (Not adjacent to a street) | 8.0 feet | None |
| Side or Rear Setback (Adjacent to a street) | 6.5 feet | Max 50% opacity for the portion above 4 feet |
| Within 20 feet of a Thoroughfare ROW | < 42 inches | Must be screened if > 42 inches and further back |
Note: In the Heavy Industrial (IH) District, these height and opacity restrictions for front and side street setbacks do not apply [Sec. 7.2.8.B.8].
Material and Design Standards
The City of Raleigh requires fences and walls to be constructed of high-quality materials, such as:
- Brick, stone, or cast-stone.
- Decorative, split-faced, or glass blocks.
- Wood, wrought iron, or composite fencing.
- PVC vinyl, aluminum, or metal.
Chain-link fences are explicitly prohibited in any front or side street setback in all Raleigh districts except for the Heavy Industrial (IH) district [Sec. 7.2.8.B.6]. Furthermore, any continuous fence or wall plane cannot exceed 100 feet in length without a break provided by columns, transparent sections, a change in material, or landscaped areas [Sec. 7.2.8.B.7].
Sight Triangle Requirements
Sight triangles are protected areas at intersections intended to remain clear of obstructions that could block a driver's view of conflicting traffic or pedestrians.
General Obstruction Rules
The City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance mandates that no landscaping, sign, or other structure shall obstruct the views of motorists using any street, private driveway, or the approach to any street intersection [Sec. 7.2.7.B.1; Sec. 7.3.16.F.1]. All installations must comply with the specific dimensions and standards defined in the Raleigh Street Design Manual [Sec. 7.2.7.B.2].
Specific Prohibitions in Sight Triangles
- Signage: For corner lots, no part of an outdoor advertising sign (off-premise sign) may be located within a triangular area formed by the street right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points 50 feet from the intersection [Sec. 7.3.14.G.1].
- Temporary Uses: Structures associated with temporary uses, such as produce stands or community garden tents, must be set back at least 10 feet from all property lines and cannot be located within sight distance triangles [Sec. 6.6.1.B.2.b.ii; Sec. 6.8.2.D.2.c].
- Building Placement: If a required "Build-To" area (the area where a building facade must be located) is encumbered by a sight distance triangle, the lot width used to calculate the build-to percentage is reduced by the width of that triangle [Sec. 1.5.6.C.3.j].
Maintenance and Safety
Fences and walls must be maintained in a structurally safe and attractive condition. If a fence or wall is used to screen a utility service area, it must be at least 6 feet high and compatible with the principal building in texture and color [Sec. 7.2.5.C.3]. For construction sites, the City of Raleigh requires the installation of bright orange construction safety barrier fences (minimum 4 feet tall) if the activity occurs within 10 feet of an adjoining residential property line [Sec. 7.2.9.B.2].
Sections Cited
- Sec. 1.5.4. Building Setbacks
- Sec. 1.5.6. Build-to
- Sec. 6.6.1. Agriculture (Community Gardens)
- Sec. 6.8.2. Temporary Use Permit Required (Produce Stands)
- Sec. 7.2.4. Protective Yards
- Sec. 7.2.5. Screening
- Sec. 7.2.7. Design and Installation (Landscaping)
- Sec. 7.2.8. Walls and Fences
- Sec. 7.2.9. Construction Safety Barrier Fences
- Sec. 7.3.14. Off-Premise Signs
- Sec. 7.3.16. General Sign Regulations