City of Brodhead fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Brodhead? Yes. The City of Brodhead 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 Brodhead (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
- Residential fences six feet or less in height are permitted on rear and side lot lines source
- Front (street) yard
- Residential fences less than or equal to four feet in height are permitted in the street yard setback area source
- Distance from lot line
- All fences placed on property lines must have written approval of the adjoining property owners; without it, no closer than two feet from the property line. Any fence may be placed two feet from the property line without the neighbor's permission. All fences must be set back at least five feet from the front property line, and street-yard fences no closer than two feet to any public right-of-way. source
- Good side faces
- The finished or decorative side of a fence shall face adjoining property; "The dress side of the fence shall be on the outside." source
- Not allowed
- No fence in a dangerous condition or which conducts electricity; barbed wire only in industrially zoned areas (with mounting conditions). source
- How to apply
- Call 608-897-4018 ext. 150
Still being confirmed with Brodhead: What is the fence permit fee, and can the application be emailed to the Building Inspector?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Brodhead
Steps based on ecode360.com — Municipal code
- Locate your property line; the fence must be entirely on your property.
- Building on the line? Get your neighbor's written approval. Otherwise stay at least 2 feet off the line, and at least 5 feet back from the front property line.
- Apply to the City Building Inspector for a fence permit with your design specifications, and pay the permit fee when you apply.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- Permit fees are paid at the time of application, to the Building Inspector or City Clerk-Treasurer
Who to contact
Kristin Covert
City Clerk (Building Inspector not listed)
- Phone
- 608-897-4018 ext. 150
- [email protected]
Contact from greencountywi.org — 2025 2026 Green County Directory PDF
What to submit
- Fence design specifications for approval
- Neighbor's written approval if building on the property line
Other rules to know
- Fences must be erected on the owner's property, and the owner erecting the fence is responsible for establishing the property line.
- Temporary fences (plant protection, construction hazard warning) need no permit but may not stay up more than 45 days.
- A fence put on the line without the neighbor's approval can be ordered removed within 30 days after a written complaint to the Zoning Administrator.
- A small part of Brodhead lies in Rock County; the same City rules apply.
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 Brodhead, WI?
Yes. The City of Brodhead requires a permit before you build a fence. Temporary fences (plant protection, construction hazard warning) need no permit but may not stay up more than 45 days.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Brodhead?
Side and rear yards: Residential fences six feet or less in height are permitted on rear and side lot lines. Front (street) yard: Residential fences less than or equal to four feet in height are permitted in the street yard setback area.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Brodhead?
All fences placed on property lines must have written approval of the adjoining property owners; without it, no closer than two feet from the property line. Any fence may be placed two feet from the property line without the neighbor's permission. All fences must be set back at least five feet from the front property line, and street-yard fences no closer than two feet to any public right-of-way.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Brodhead?
The finished or decorative side of a fence shall face adjoining property; "The dress side of the fence shall be on the outside."
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Brodhead?
Locate your property line; the fence must be entirely on your property. Building on the line? Get your neighbor's written approval. Otherwise stay at least 2 feet off the line, and at least 5 feet back from the front property line. Apply to the City Building Inspector for a fence permit with your design specifications, and pay the permit fee when you apply. 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 Brodhead (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Brodhead?
Kristin Covert, City Clerk (Building Inspector not listed). Phone 608-897-4018 ext. 150, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Brodhead's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Code §480-82 Fences
Work for the City of Brodhead? 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.