Planning Department

Fences, Walls & Screening

IMPORTANT: All fence, wall, or screening requirements should be verified using the Chesterfield County Zoning Ordinance & Development Standards Manual. You may need to check individual parcel files for zoning conditions that may apply to your proposed project. The files can be viewed in the Planning Department between 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday or you may contact our office for assistance.

RESIDENTIAL:

Fences and walls can be up to seven (7) feet in height in the side and rear yards, and up to four (4) feet in height in the front and corner side yards. On corner lots no fence or wall shall be above a height of two (2) feet six (6) inches within twenty (20) feet in either direction of the corner lot. You may need to check the restrictive covenants of your neighborhood, which are not enforced by Chesterfield County, for standards such as the style and design of fences. Covenants and lot surveys can be obtained from the Circuit Court Record room or your community association office. There are no setbacks or architectural standards for fences or walls in the Zoning ordinance. Fences which are placed on your property without your permission are a civil matter and not enforced by Chesterfield County. Fence height requirement graphic

COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL:

Screening for dumpsters, mechanical equipment, outside storage areas, and truck dock or loading areas are typically required to be designed and constructed of materials similar in color and finish to the building(s) on site. Fences, if allowed, should be designed with alternating boards that provides for two quality material faces. If a solid board fence is used the flat, quality face shall face the adjacent property and the visual structure side shall face toward the project site.

GENERALREQUIREMENTS:

Security fences are required around swimming pools and shall be at least four (4) feet in height. Barrier permits are required for security fences around swimming pools. Building permits are required for fences greater than six (6) feet in height. Please contact Building Inspections for more details at (804) 748-1057. Prior to digging fence post holes, please call "Miss Utilities" at 1-800-552-7001, so they can mark the location of underground utility lines. Finally, be sure to check for easement and property line locations on your survey prior to contacting the Planning Department for assistance.