Do you need a permit for a fence in Fairfax County, VA?
It depends on size and placement.
No building permit for a fence of any height unless it's a pool barrier.
Front-yard fences and walls are capped at 4 ft on most residential lots.
Side and rear fences can be up to 7 ft.
Rules last checked by a person on October 20, 2026. Guidance only; confirm with Fairfax County before you build.
Check your exact lot
Setbacks depend on your zoning district, and a flood zone can change the permit answer. Enter your address to see both.
Permits a fence can need in Fairfax County
| Permit | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Pool barriers always need a permit, and masonry or concrete walls over 6 ft do too. |
| Floodplain development permit | In a FEMA special flood hazard area, all development needs a permit. |
Limits that apply citywide
| Front yard | 4 ft max |
|---|---|
| Side and rear yards | 7 ft max |
| Corner lot on a major thoroughfare | 8 ft solid fence allowed in some cases |
| At the lot line | Fences can be built right up to the lot line at the full height |
Local details
- Call 811 at least a few days before you dig footings or post holes. Utility locating is free.
- HOA covenants and deed restrictions can be stricter than city rules. Check yours before you build.
- Lots along streams may fall in a Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Area. Any shed, deck or addition in an RPA needs Bay Act review before a permit can issue.
How to apply
Questions people ask
- When does a fence need a building permit in Fairfax County?
- Pool barriers always need a permit, and masonry or concrete walls over 6 ft do too. Fences need no building permit in Virginia unless they are a pool barrier. Fairfax zoning height limits still apply.
- Where do I apply for a fence permit in Fairfax County?
- Apply through PLUS permitting portal, or call 703-222-0801.
Sources
- Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2, Exemptions from application for permit. Checked 2026-10-20.
2. One story detached structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses, provided the building area does not exceed 256 square feet... 5. Fences of any height unless required for pedestrian safety as provided for by Section 3306 or used…
- 44 CFR 59.1, definition of development (NFIP). Checked 2026-10-19.
Development means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures...
- 44 CFR 60.3, floodplain management criteria. Checked 2026-10-19.
Require permits for all proposed construction or other development in the community...
- Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance § 4102.7.A(6)-(7), freestanding accessory structures and fences. Checked 2026-10-20.
On a lot that is 36,000 square feet or less, accessory structures may not be located in the front yard... If the structure does not exceed eight and one-half feet in height, it may be located in any part of a side yard or rear yard... between eight and one-…