City of Monroe fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Monroe? Yes. The City of Monroe 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 Monroe (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- $60.00 ("Fence Permit - each - for fences over 15 feet in length", 2026 fee schedule) source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft in most residential districts (8 ft in RH-35, mixed-use, BP, LI, HI and EX districts) source
- Front (street) yard
- Four feet when located within the required or provided front yard or street yard, whichever is closer to the street source
- Corner lots
- Corner lots: the 4 ft limit applies in the front yard or street yard, whichever is closer to the street; vision triangle rules in §5-7-10 also apply source
- Distance from lot line
- Not closer than 2 feet to a public right-of-way (Building Inspection FAQ). The zoning code's fencing section sets no general lot-line setback. source
- Good side faces
- Fences "shall be erected so as to locate visible supports and other structural components toward the subject property." source
- Not allowed
- Permanent chicken wire and snow fences are not allowed with residential uses; solid metal fences only in LI, HI and EX districts; barbed wire only on top of security fencing at least 6 ft up in I, LI, HI and EX districts. Temporary snow, construction or plant-protection fencing needs no permit. source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Monroe
Steps based on cityofmonroe.org — building inspection process
- Draw a site plan showing where the fence goes and how far it sits from every lot line.
- Apply online through the City's building permit application (one form per project).
- Pay the $60 fence permit fee; all fees are collected at one time (pay at City Hall or by mail: cash, check or credit card).
- Permits are typically issued within 2 to 3 business days once everything is provided; post the permit card during construction.
- Schedule any required inspection with the Building Inspector by phone or email.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- Fees collected at one time when you apply; pay at City Hall or by mail (cash, check or credit card)
- Review time
- Typically 2 to 3 business days once all information is provided (FAQ); the process page says normal processing is 5 days, 2 days expedited for an extra fee
- Inspections
- Schedule with the Building Inspector by phone or email
- Permit good for
- Two years
Who to contact
Ryan Lindsey
Building Inspector
- Phone
- 608-329-2518
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Division Mon-Fri 7:00 AM-3:30 PM; plan reviews and inspections Tue and Thu 8:00 AM-3:00 PM
- Address
- Monroe City Hall, 1110 18th Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566
Contact from cityofmonroe.org — index
What to submit
- Online building permit application (one form per project)
- Site plan showing the fence location and its setbacks from all lot lines
Other rules to know
- A permit is required for any fence over 15 feet in length (Building Inspection FAQ).
- Approved materials include naturally resistant or treated wood, brick or masonry, natural stone, wrought iron and vinyl; other comparable materials need Zoning Administrator approval.
- Fence height is measured from the ground under the fence to the top rail; up to 4 inches of ground clearance is not counted, and decorative posts at least 24 inches apart may extend 8 inches above the maximum.
- The fences section is §5-7-27 (located from the code's cross-references; the ecode360 excerpt did not print the section header).
- The Building Inspection page says the City "accepts only online permit applications"; the Building Inspection Process page also mentions applying at City Hall.
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 Monroe, WI?
Yes. The City of Monroe requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Monroe?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft in most residential districts (8 ft in RH-35, mixed-use, BP, LI, HI and EX districts). Front (street) yard: Four feet when located within the required or provided front yard or street yard, whichever is closer to the street. Corner lots: Corner lots: the 4 ft limit applies in the front yard or street yard, whichever is closer to the street; vision triangle rules in §5-7-10 also apply.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Monroe?
Not closer than 2 feet to a public right-of-way (Building Inspection FAQ). The zoning code's fencing section sets no general lot-line setback.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Monroe?
Fences "shall be erected so as to locate visible supports and other structural components toward the subject property."
How much is a fence permit in the City of Monroe?
$60.00 ("Fence Permit - each - for fences over 15 feet in length", 2026 fee schedule).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Monroe?
Draw a site plan showing where the fence goes and how far it sits from every lot line. Apply online through the City's building permit application (one form per project). Pay the $60 fence permit fee; all fees are collected at one time (pay at City Hall or by mail: cash, check or credit card). Permits are typically issued within 2 to 3 business days once everything is provided; post the permit card during construction. Schedule any required inspection with the Building Inspector by phone or email. permit.guide can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Monroe (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Monroe?
Ryan Lindsey, Building Inspector. Phone 608-329-2518, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Monroe's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Code §5-7-27 Fencing standards
Work for the City of Monroe? 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.