Residential Fence Height Standards in the City of Raleigh

In the City of Raleigh, fences and walls located within the front yard or side street setback of a residential property are generally permitted to a maximum height of 6.5 feet. However, any portion of the fence or wall that exceeds 4 feet in height must not exceed 50% opacity, meaning the top 2.5 feet must be semi-transparent [Sec. 7.2.8.B.8]. Additionally, for residential properties fronting a designated Thoroughfare, more restrictive height limits of 42 inches may apply within 20 feet of the right-of-way [Sec. 7.2.8.C.1].

General Fence Height Standards

For most residential properties within the City of Raleigh, the maximum height of a fence or wall is determined by its location on the lot and its proximity to public streets.

Location on Residential Property	Maximum Allowed Height	Specific Requirements
Front or Side Street Setback	6.5 feet	Max 50% opacity for the portion above 4 feet [Sec. 7.2.8.B.8].
Side or Rear Setback (Not adjacent to a street)	8.0 feet	No specific opacity requirement for standard residential lots [Sec. 7.2.8.B.9].
Side or Rear Setback (Adjacent to a street)	6.5 feet	Max 50% opacity for the portion above 4 feet [Sec. 7.2.8.B.9].
Adjacent to a Thoroughfare (Within 20' of Right-of-Way)	42 inches	Fences taller than 42" must be set back at least 15' from the edge of the right-of-way and screened with evergreens [Sec. 7.2.8.C.1].

Design and Opacity Requirements

The City of Raleigh imposes specific design standards to ensure that fences in visible areas do not create solid, impenetrable barriers.

The Opacity Rule

For any fence or wall in a front or side street setback that is taller than 4 feet, the portion between 4 feet and the maximum 6.5-foot limit must have an opacity of 50% or less [Sec. 7.2.8.B.8]. This typically allows for styles such as picket fences or those with lattice toppers, which allow for light and visibility.

Prohibited Materials

In the City of Raleigh Residential Districts, chain-link fences are strictly prohibited in any front or side street setback [Sec. 7.2.8.B.6]. Approved materials for residential fencing include:

Wood (finished face must face the adjacent property);
Brick, stone, or cast-stone;
Decorative masonry blocks (stuccoed or split-faced);
Wrought iron or aluminum;
Composite fencing or PVC vinyl [Sec. 7.2.8.B.1].

Setback Encroachments and Utilities

Fences and walls are generally allowed to encroach into required building setbacks, but they must adhere to safety and utility regulations:

Utility Easements: No wall or fence may be located within any City of Raleigh utility easement without prior written approval from the Public Utilities Director [Sec. 7.2.8.B.3].
Tree Conservation: No wall or fence may be located within any designated tree conservation area [Sec. 7.2.8.B.2].
Sight Triangles: Fences must not obstruct the views of motorists and must comply with the sight triangle requirements of the Raleigh Street Design Manual [Sec. 7.2.7.B.2].

Sections Cited