City of Reno Fence Height Standards for Side and Rear Yards
In the City of Reno, fences and walls located on the side and rear lot lines are generally restricted to a maximum height of six feet in Residential, Urban, and Special Purpose districts. However, the City of Reno allows for fences to reach a maximum height of 10 feet if they are located outside of the required setback areas within these yards. In City of Reno Employment Districts, fences may reach a total height of nine feet if the construction includes three feet of barbed wire above a standard six-foot fence.
General Fence Height Regulations
The City of Reno Annexation and Land Development Code establishes uniform standards for the height of fences and walls based on their location on a parcel and the underlying zoning district. For most non-industrial areas, the six-foot standard applies to any fence extending from the lot lines to the buildings, provided they are not within a required front yard [Section 18.04.809(e)(1)].
Standard Maximum Heights
The following table outlines the maximum permitted heights for fences in the City of Reno based on location and district type:
| Location/District Type | Maximum Fence Height | Conditions/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential, Urban, & Special Purpose Districts (Side and Rear Lot Lines) | 6 Feet | Standard height for lot line fences [Section 18.04.809(e)(1)]. |
| Residential, Urban, & Special Purpose Districts (Outside of Setback Area) | 10 Feet | Applies specifically to side, rear, and secondary front yards [Section 18.04.809(c)(8)]. |
| Employment Districts (I, IC, ME, MA) | 9 Feet | Includes a 6-foot conventional fence plus 3 feet of barbed wire [Section 18.04.809(d)(2)]. |
| Employment Districts (I, IC, ME, MA) | 10 Feet | Applicable for battery-charged/electric fences [Section 18.04.809(d)(3)]. |
| Through Lots (Rear Lot Line) | 6 Feet | Permitted on the yard opposite the front yard [Section 18.04.809(c)(1)]. |
Yard-Specific Standards
Side and Rear Yards
In all City of Reno zoning districts except Employment Districts, property owners may erect fences or walls up to six feet in height along the side and rear lot lines. If the property owner chooses to place the fence outside of the designated setback area (closer to the interior of the lot), the City of Reno permits the height to be increased to 10 feet [Section 18.04.809(c)(8)].
Employment Districts (Industrial)
The City of Reno provides additional flexibility for industrial and employment-related zones (I, IC, ME, and MA). In these districts, a standard six-foot fence may be topped with arms carrying barbed wire, provided the arms carry no more than three strands of wire and do not result in a total height exceeding nine feet. These arms must be angled inward or point straight up [Section 18.04.809(d)(2)].
Specialized Fencing and Screening Requirements
Retaining Walls
If a City of Reno property owner constructs a fence on top of a retaining wall, the height of the fence is measured from the top of the retaining wall itself, not the ground level at the base of the wall [Section 18.04.809(c)(3)]. Within the Mortensen-Garson Neighborhood Plan (MGOD) area, retaining walls are limited to a maximum height of eight feet [Section 18.02.603(c)(12)c].
Water Supply Ditches
Any City of Reno property that abuts or adjoins a water supply ditch deemed a hazard by the Administrator must be fenced. The City of Reno requires these fences to be at least 4.5 feet tall and designed to be "reasonably non-climbable" with tension wires at the top and bottom [Section 18.04.809(f)(1)].
Screening for Large Scale Development
The City of Reno mandates specific screening heights for high-impact activities:
- Outdoor Storage: In most districts, outdoor storage must be screened by a solid fence up to 10 feet in height [Section 18.03.306(b)(4)a.2].
- Large Tractor-Trailer Loading: If these facilities are adjacent to residentially zoned property, they must be screened by a solid wall not less than 14 feet in height [Section 18.04.1412(c)].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.603 Neighborhood Planning Area Overlay Districts
- Section 18.03.306 Industrial Uses
- Section 18.04.809 Fences and Walls
- Section 18.04.1412 Loading Activities