City of De Pere fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of De Pere? Yes. The City of De Pere requires a permit before you build a fence.
permit.guide can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of De Pere (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- 3 ft within the front yard setback; 4 ft allowed if see-through (60% plus visibility: chain-link or small diameter picket style) source
- Corner lots
- Corner side yard same as front: 3 ft, or 4 ft if see-through (60%+ visibility) source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences may be placed up to the property line but may not extend over it. Building off the line is recommended if you need to maintain the fence without entering the neighbor's yard. Fences in drainage easements may not block water flow; in utility easements the utility may remove them at the owner's cost. source
- Good side faces
- The attractive side of the fence shall face the adjoining property; posts on your side. source
- Not allowed
- Barbed wire, permanent chicken wire, wire or plastic mesh thinner than 11-gauge, hardware cloth, snow fencing, agricultural fencing (deer fencing, electric fences, single/double/triple strand), and sharp or pointed pickets dangerous to life or limb. source
- How to apply
- In person source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of De Pere
Steps based on deperewi.gov — 1643904353 18883
- Check your subdivision covenants for fence restrictions.
- Locate your property lines (the City does not locate survey pins).
- Get a fence permit application from the Building Inspection Division at City Hall, 335 S. Broadway, 1st floor (920-339-4053, [email protected]) and pay the permit fee (fee schedule on the City website).
- Call for any required inspections - the applicant is responsible for scheduling them.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- Permit fee per the City fee schedule (on the City website); doubled if work starts without a permit
- Inspections
- Applicant is responsible for calling for required inspections
Who to contact
Dennis Jensen
Senior Building Inspector
- Phone
- 920-339-4053
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (summer hours differ)
- Address
- Building Inspection Division, De Pere City Hall, 335 S. Broadway (First Floor), De Pere, WI 54115
Contact from browncountywi.gov — 2026 27 BROWN COUNTY DIRECTORY 11 05 26
What to submit
- Fence permit application from the Building Inspection Division
Other rules to know
- Check your subdivision covenants before applying for a fence permit.
- The City does not locate survey pins; hire a licensed surveyor to find property lines.
- Commencing work without a permit is subject to doubling of the permit fee.
- Height is measured from finished grade to the top of the highest fence panel.
- Frost depth in the area is 48 inches; the City suggests setting posts at least half the fence height deep.
Before you dig
Call Diggers Hotline at 811 (or file online at diggershotline.com) at least 3 business days before digging post holes. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. County parcel maps can be off by several feet; if you're not sure where the line is, a licensed land surveyor can stake it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in the City of De Pere, WI?
Yes. The City of De Pere requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of De Pere?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft. Front (street) yard: 3 ft within the front yard setback; 4 ft allowed if see-through (60% plus visibility: chain-link or small diameter picket style). Corner lots: Corner side yard same as front: 3 ft, or 4 ft if see-through (60%+ visibility).
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of De Pere?
Fences may be placed up to the property line but may not extend over it. Building off the line is recommended if you need to maintain the fence without entering the neighbor's yard. Fences in drainage easements may not block water flow; in utility easements the utility may remove them at the owner's cost.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of De Pere?
The attractive side of the fence shall face the adjoining property; posts on your side.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of De Pere?
Check your subdivision covenants for fence restrictions. Locate your property lines (the City does not locate survey pins). Get a fence permit application from the Building Inspection Division at City Hall, 335 S. Broadway, 1st floor (920-339-4053, [email protected]) and pay the permit fee (fee schedule on the City website). Call for any required inspections - the applicant is responsible for scheduling them. Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging. permit.guide can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of De Pere (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of De Pere?
Dennis Jensen, Senior Building Inspector. Phone 920-339-4053, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of De Pere's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the City of De Pere? Help us keep this right
If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Municipal staff reports are reviewed first. Please include a link to the current ordinance, form or fee schedule if you can.