City of Jefferson fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Jefferson? Yes. The City of Jefferson 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 Jefferson (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- $50 source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft (8 ft in LI, MI, HI, IOS, IOC, AO, FG, EX districts if storage is taller) source
- Front (street) yard
- 4 ft maximum in front or street-side yard; fences may not be in the front yard or extend past the front facade source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences may be placed within or on any property line, provided they meet the height limits. source
- Good side faces
- The side showing supports and structural components must face inward towards the principal building. source
- Not allowed
- Rope, string, wire products, netting, glass, paper, metal panels, plywood, pallets, fiberglass or plastic panels. Allowed materials: resistant or treated wood, brick or masonry, natural stone, wrought iron, vinyl, galvanized and/or coated chain link. source
- How to apply
- Email source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Jefferson
Steps based on jeffersonwis.com — Zoning Permit Application
- Check your zoning district (side/rear limit is 6 ft in most districts).
- Fill out the City Zoning Permit Application and draw a plot plan showing existing and proposed structures with measurements, plus the fence location, height and material.
- Email the plans to Claire Scholten at [email protected] for Building/Zoning Inspector approval.
- Pay the $50 fence permit fee.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- $50 fence fee
- Review time
- Approved by the City Building/Zoning Inspector
Who to contact
Claire Scholten
City of Jefferson (fence plan submittals)
- Phone
- 920-674-7700
- [email protected]
- Address
- City of Jefferson, 317 S. Main St., Jefferson, WI 53549
Contact from jeffersonwis.com — City of Jefferson Fence Requirements Summary
What to submit
- Zoning Permit Application (owner/contractor info, property details, fence height)
- Plot plan drawing showing all existing and proposed structures with measurements
- Fence plans showing proposed location, height and material
Other rules to know
- Front-yard fencing must be at least 50% opaque (not required for screening fences).
- New fences must be architecturally compatible with the design and materials of the principal building.
- Decorative posts may extend 8 inches above the maximum fence height.
- Fences are a zoning permit; building permits for other work go through the online portal run by General Engineering.
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 Jefferson, WI?
Yes. The City of Jefferson requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Jefferson?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft (8 ft in LI, MI, HI, IOS, IOC, AO, FG, EX districts if storage is taller). Front (street) yard: 4 ft maximum in front or street-side yard; fences may not be in the front yard or extend past the front facade.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Jefferson?
Fences may be placed within or on any property line, provided they meet the height limits.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Jefferson?
The side showing supports and structural components must face inward towards the principal building.
How much is a fence permit in the City of Jefferson?
$50.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Jefferson?
Check your zoning district (side/rear limit is 6 ft in most districts). Fill out the City Zoning Permit Application and draw a plot plan showing existing and proposed structures with measurements, plus the fence location, height and material. Email the plans to Claire Scholten at [email protected] for Building/Zoning Inspector approval. Pay the $50 fence permit fee. 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 Jefferson (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Jefferson?
Claire Scholten, City of Jefferson (fence plan submittals). Phone 920-674-7700, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Jefferson's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Code §300-6.40
Work for the City of Jefferson? 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.