Town of Lawrence fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Town of Lawrence? Yes. The Town of Lawrence 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 Town of Lawrence (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- Per Town Fee Schedule (paid before the permit issues) source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- 3 ft in a required front yard source
- Corner lots
- 3 ft in a required corner side yard; 3 ft above street grade within 25 ft of a street intersection source
- Distance from lot line
- No general fence setback; residential fences may be along lot lines. Garden electric fences must be at least 5 ft from the lot line. source
- Good side faces
- Finished side faces the adjacent property or public right-of-way, with posts on the inside (good neighbor fences excepted). source
- Not allowed
- Rope, string, chicken wire, hog wire, razor ribbon and other materials not made for fencing; used or damaged materials (unless found equivalent to new); barbed wire (except listed districts); electrically charged fences (except agricultural districts, approval, or garden exception); bright or fluorescent colors and messages on the fence; slats in chain link for screening unless approved. source
- How to apply
- Mail, in person source
How to file for a fence permit in the Town of Lawrence
Steps based on lawrencewi.gov — Accessory Building Permit Application
- Draw a site plan (and plans, if needed) showing the fence location.
- Submit the Accessory Building Permit Application and plans by email, by mail, or in person at Town Hall, 2400 Shady Court.
- Pay the fee from the Town Fee Schedule (cash, check payable to "Town of Lawrence", e-check with a $2.00 fee, or card with a 2.75% fee).
- Wait for the permit (review can take up to 10 business days) before building.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- Town Fee Schedule; cash, check, e-check ($2.00 fee) or credit card (2.75% fee)
- Review time
- Up to 10 business days
Who to contact
Scott Beining
Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator
- Phone
- 920-347-3715
- [email protected]
- Address
- Lawrence Town Hall, 2400 Shady Court, De Pere, WI 54115
Contact from browncountywi.gov — 2026 27 BROWN COUNTY DIRECTORY 11 05 26
What to submit
- Accessory Building Permit Application
- Site plan and/or building plans showing existing and proposed improvements
Other rules to know
- Exempt: snow fences, decorative fences up to 2 ft, garden fences and certain replacements.
- Taller fences may be considered only through a conditional use permit.
- Starting work before the permit is issued and paid can result in citations or penalties.
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 Town of Lawrence, WI?
Yes. The Town of Lawrence requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the Town of Lawrence?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft. Front (street) yard: 3 ft in a required front yard. Corner lots: 3 ft in a required corner side yard; 3 ft above street grade within 25 ft of a street intersection.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Town of Lawrence?
No general fence setback; residential fences may be along lot lines. Garden electric fences must be at least 5 ft from the lot line.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the Town of Lawrence?
Finished side faces the adjacent property or public right-of-way, with posts on the inside (good neighbor fences excepted).
How much is a fence permit in the Town of Lawrence?
Per Town Fee Schedule (paid before the permit issues).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Town of Lawrence?
Draw a site plan (and plans, if needed) showing the fence location. Submit the Accessory Building Permit Application and plans by email, by mail, or in person at Town Hall, 2400 Shady Court. Pay the fee from the Town Fee Schedule (cash, check payable to "Town of Lawrence", e-check with a $2.00 fee, or card with a 2.75% fee). Wait for the permit (review can take up to 10 business days) before building. 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 Town of Lawrence (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Town of Lawrence?
Scott Beining, Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator. Phone 920-347-3715, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the Town of Lawrence's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Town of Lawrence Zoning Ordinance § 300-14 Fences, walls and berms
Work for the Town of Lawrence? 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.