City Guide · Verified 2026
Fence Installation Permits in St. George
Local Rule
St. George Building Department; St. George City Code
St. George requires a building permit for any fence erected in the front setback, regardless of height, unless the fence is already detailed on an approved subdivision or site plan; retaining or rockery walls over 3 feet also need a permit. Outside the front setback, in the side and rear yards, city code does not set a separate permit-exemption height, so the general adopted Building Code threshold of 7 feet applies. Zoning caps residential fence height at 6 feet 4 inches in side and rear yards and 4 feet in the front setback, with only decorative fencing allowed within the first 10 feet behind the sidewalk (or property line where no sidewalk exists). A chain-link or mesh fence enclosing a tennis or court-game area on an interior side or rear line may reach 12 feet, though safety nets over 6 feet need a permit.
Source · Verified September 2026
St. George Building Department
Office: St. George Building Department
Address: 175 East 200 North, St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 627-4000
Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.
How This Compares to Washington County
St. George's own rule is shown above (No permit under 7 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:
Individual cities (St. George, Washington City, Hurricane, S
St. George's own city code caps a fence at 6 feet 4 inches in side and rear yards and 4 feet within the front yard setback, with only decorative fencing permitted in the 10 feet immediately behind the sidewalk or property line. The code contains a notably specific provision for properties adjacent to a golf course: safety nets are permitted along the side and rear property lines in that situation, and any safety net exceeding 6 feet requires a permit from the building department. Washington County itself confirms through its own ADU guidance that unincorporated county land follows different rules from each of its cities, so a specific unincorporated-county fence-height figure should be confirmed directly with County Community Development rather than assumed to match St. George's.
Nearby Cities with Verified Rules
Other cities near St. George with a confirmed fence installation rule:
FAQs
Which department handles Fence Installation permits in St. George?
St. George Building Department; St. George City Code handles Fence Installation permits in St. George.
Is St. George different from Washington County on Fence Installation?
Yes. St. George's rule is "No permit under 7 sqft", while Washington County in general is "Set by 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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