Fence Installation Permits in Orlando

Local Rule

City of Orlando Permitting Services Division

Orlando exempts a fence from needing a permit when it meets all of the following: located on a one- or two-family residential property, 6 feet or less in height (measured from established normal building site grade), built of wood, plastic/vinyl, chain-link, aluminum, wrought-iron, or plant material, and compliant with Land Development Code Chapter 58, Part 5B(5); this resolution, approved by City Council on April 8, 2019, remains in effect. Fences over 6 feet, pool/spa barrier fences, concrete/masonry/block fences (including posts or reinforcement), fences on corner lots, fences on properties with rear alleys, and fences near public easements all require a permit regardless of the general exemption. Townhomes, multifamily, and non-residential fences always require a permit. Front-yard fences are limited to 4 feet. All fences, even permit-exempt ones, must still follow City Code.

Source · Verified September 2026

Orlando Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Orange County

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

Orange County, FL Zoning Division / Fast Track

In unincorporated Orange County (Orlando), a fence permit IS required and is issued by the Zoning Division for all fences 6 feet or under, applied for online through the Orange County Fast Track portal (review is about 4 business days). Wood, vinyl, and aluminum-picket fences on single-family lots go through the streamlined Fence Permit, but a masonry or stucco wall with structural columns is treated as a Building Permit instead. Only the homeowner or a contractor may file. A site plan showing dimensions and setbacks is required, and corner lots must preserve a sight-distance triangle. Two local wrinkles: parts of East Orlando require wetland lines shown on the site plan (a common cause of delay), and properties in the Ranger Drainage District (Wedgefield, Rocket City, Cape Orlando Estates) need a separate District permit uploaded with the application. Orange County is stricter than some Florida counties that exempt standard fences, here even a 6-foot wood fence needs the zoning permi

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Orlando with a confirmed fence installation rule:

FAQs

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

Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a fence installation project:

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