Fence Installation Permits in Glendale

Local Rule

City of Glendale Building Safety Department; Glendale local amendments

Glendale locally amended Building Code Section 105.2(2) to exempt fences not over 6 feet high from a building permit, a stricter local threshold than the standard 7-foot exemption found in the unamended code; the city explains the change because prescriptive engineering for most fence block is limited to a 6-foot height. Perimeter subdivision fences always require a building permit regardless of height, because of their high visibility from public streets. Front-yard fences are typically limited to 3 feet in residential zones for visibility, while side and rear yard fences may reach 6 feet without a permit. A retaining wall over 4 feet needs a building permit and licensed-engineer design; retaining wall height plus any fence built on top of it are measured together for zoning height limits.

Source · Verified September 2026

Glendale Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Maricopa County

Glendale's own rule is shown above (No permit under 6 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

City zoning / Maricopa County

In Maricopa County, Arizona, fence height limits are typically 6 feet for side and rear yards and 3 feet for front yards, and a fence permit is generally required (a quick online process, roughly $25 to $100). Phoenix and other cities enforces the low front-yard limit strictly. Swimming-pool barriers have separate state safety requirements.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Glendale with a confirmed fence installation rule:

FAQs

Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need

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