City Guide · Verified 2026
Fence Installation Permits in Springfield
Local Rule
City of Springfield Department of Inspectional Services,
Springfield is reported to follow the Massachusetts statewide building-permit exemption, under which a fence under 7 feet does not require a building permit; no local amendment to that threshold could be independently confirmed. Springfield's Zoning Ordinance Article 7 requires all fences, walls, and vegetated barriers to be properly maintained, with any fence in disrepair to be removed or repaired within 30 days of notice from the Building Commissioner; fences abutting or within a residential district or use may not contain razor or barbed wire. A required landscape screen for certain non-residential uses adjacent to residential districts must be at least 4 feet high, using dense evergreens or an equivalent wall or solid fence. Confirm the exact no-permit threshold with the Department of Inspectional Services (dial 311 or 413-736-3111) before relying on it.
Source · Verified September 2026
Springfield Building Department
Office: City of Springfield Department of Inspectional Services, Building Division
Address: 1600 East Columbus Ave., Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: (413) 736-3111
Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.
How This Compares to Hampden County
Springfield's own rule is shown above (No permit under 7 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:
Municipal (varies by city or town; sits on the statewide 780
Under the Massachusetts State Building Code, a fence 7 feet or under does not require a building permit anywhere in the state, including Springfield, the county seat. Local zoning bylaws apply on top of the state exemption and are enforced separately by each municipality; Springfield's zoning ordinance requires that a fence or vegetated barrier in disrepair be removed or repaired within 30 days of notice from the Building Commissioner.
Nearby Cities with Verified Rules
Other cities near Springfield with a confirmed fence installation rule:
FAQs
Which department handles Fence Installation permits in Springfield?
City of Springfield Department of Inspectional Services, handles Fence Installation permits in Springfield.
Is Springfield different from Hampden County on Fence Installation?
No. Springfield's rule (No permit under 7 sqft) matches the general pattern in Hampden County.
Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need
Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a fence installation project:
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