City Guide · Verified 2026
Fence Installation Permits in Durham
Local Rule
City of Durham/Durham County Planning Department; Durham Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)
Durham does not currently require a permit to build a fence or wall within city or county limits, unless the property is in a designated floodplain (retaining walls, unlike fences, do require a permit); a permit is also required when the fence or wall serves as a pool barrier on a single-family parcel. Fences in the side or rear yard may reach 8 feet, unless on a corner lot, where a fence between the primary structure and the side street is capped at 4 feet along the entire street yard unless a Board of Adjustment use permit is obtained; front-yard fences are capped at 4 feet. On lots of 2 acres or more, a fence may exceed the 4-foot front limit up to 8 feet without Board of Adjustment approval if set back at least 50 feet from any right-of-way and made of see-through material such as split-rail or chain-link. Commercial fences or walls under 6 feet also don't require a building permit unless serving as a swimming pool guard or affecting fire department access.
Source · Verified September 2026
Durham Building Department
Office: City of Durham/Durham County Planning Department
Address: 120 E. Parrish St., Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 560-4137
Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.
How This Compares to Durham County
Durham's own rule is shown above (Not required). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:
City/County of Durham
In Durham County no fence permit is required to build within Durham city or county limits, unless the property is in a floodplain or the fence is a pool barrier. Durham's Unified Development Ordinance still limits front-yard fences to 4 feet and side/rear fences to 8 feet, enforced through code enforcement. A pool barrier of at least 48 inches is required by the state residential code.
Nearby Cities with Verified Rules
Other cities near Durham with a confirmed fence installation rule:
FAQs
Which department handles Fence Installation permits in Durham?
City of Durham/Durham County Planning Department; Durham Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) handles Fence Installation permits in Durham.
Is Durham different from Durham County on Fence Installation?
Yes. Durham's rule is "Not required", while Durham County in general is "Check local rules". See the full breakdown of each below.
Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need
Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a fence installation project:
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