Fences are placed around houses to keep out unwanted guests, keep in family pets or provide privacy for a family. While fences are common around private homes, there are regulations regarding the height of a fence. Though every state and city has its own laws regarding real estate and fencing in yards, there are basic requirements that home owners must know before installing a fence.
Front Yard Fences
Fences in front yards are typically limited to a 4-foot height requirement. Fences that are 4 feet tall or shorter are permitted in the front yard. If the fence is 50 percent or more solid and is around the driveway or an intersection, it is limited to 3 feet instead of 4.
Backyard Fences
The backyard fence is added primarily for backyard privacy, keeping pets in a yard or personal space. The backyard fence typically cannot exceed 6 feet in height. Since the backyard does not face the street or obstruct traffic in any way, heights are allowed up to 6 feet. This includes any fencing that extends to the sides of the house until the front yard.
Corner Lot Fences
A home with a corner lot has different fence rules than other homes, because the house has a street on one side as well as in the front. In the case of a typical corner lot, a fence that is closer than 10 feet to the street can have a maximum of 4 feet in height, while a fences that is more than 10 feet from the street can have a fence height of 6 feet or lower.