City of Waterloo fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Waterloo? Yes. The City of Waterloo 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 Waterloo (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
- On side yards the fence may not project into the principal building's required setback distance source
- Front (street) yard
- Residential fences are permitted in front, rear and side yards; no maximum height stated in the zoning code source
- Corner lots
- Intersection traffic visibility area: no obstructions between 2.5 and 10 ft above curb grade within a triangle measured 35 ft from the intersection; wire fences may be permitted source
- Distance from lot line
- On side yards the fence shall not project into the principal building required setback distance; must comply with vision clearance. source
- Not allowed
- No fences along the zero lot line in the front or rear yards (R-2 zero lot line duplexes). Security fences (all districts, on property lines) max 10 ft and open type such as woven wire or wrought iron. source
- How to apply
- Call 414-758-5649 source
Still being confirmed with Waterloo: What is the maximum residential fence height and the fence permit fee in Waterloo, and should the application go to City Hall or SafeBuilt?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Waterloo
Steps based on waterloowi.us — building permits and inspections
- Download the Building Permit Application (or call City Hall at 920-478-3025 for it).
- Draw a scaled site plan showing where the fence goes and its setbacks from the property line, plus fence elevation views.
- Contact the SafeBuilt permit technician (Shayla Bevis, 262-307-8270, [email protected]) to confirm how to submit and the fee.
- Request inspections at [email protected].
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Review time
- SafeBuilt building inspector
- Inspections
- Request at [email protected]
Who to contact
Jose Ruiz
Building Inspector (SafeBuilt)
- Phone
- 414-758-5649
- [email protected]
- Hours
- City office: Monday-Thursday 8:00am-4:30pm, Friday 8:00am-12:00pm
- Address
- City Hall, 136 North Monroe Street, Waterloo, WI 53594
Contact from waterloowi.us — building permits and inspections
What to submit
- Building Permit Application
- Scaled site plan showing the fence location on the property, with setbacks from the property line
- Fence elevation views
Other rules to know
- Pool fences: at least 48 inches high, openings that block a 6-inch sphere, self-closing and self-latching gates with latches at least 30 inches above ground.
- Building inspection is contracted to SafeBuilt.
- Fees are in the City of Waterloo Fee Schedule (Effective 12.04.2025), which could not be opened.
- Building Code §140-13 'Fences and walls' exists in the City code index but its text could not be read.
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 Waterloo, WI?
Yes. The City of Waterloo requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Waterloo?
Side and rear yards: On side yards the fence may not project into the principal building's required setback distance. Front (street) yard: Residential fences are permitted in front, rear and side yards; no maximum height stated in the zoning code. Corner lots: Intersection traffic visibility area: no obstructions between 2.5 and 10 ft above curb grade within a triangle measured 35 ft from the intersection; wire fences may be permitted.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Waterloo?
On side yards the fence shall not project into the principal building required setback distance; must comply with vision clearance.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Waterloo?
Download the Building Permit Application (or call City Hall at 920-478-3025 for it). Draw a scaled site plan showing where the fence goes and its setbacks from the property line, plus fence elevation views. Contact the SafeBuilt permit technician (Shayla Bevis, 262-307-8270, [email protected]) to confirm how to submit and the fee. Request inspections at [email protected]. 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 Waterloo (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Waterloo?
Jose Ruiz, Building Inspector (SafeBuilt). Phone 414-758-5649, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Waterloo's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Code §385-3B(4) Residential fences; Building Code §140-13 Fences and walls
Work for the City of Waterloo? 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.