Milwaukee County fence permit rules
Fence rules in Milwaukee County are set by each city, village and town, not by the state. Pick your municipality for height limits, setbacks, fees, step-by-step filing instructions and the person to call.
| Municipality | Permit? | Side/rear max | Front yard | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Cudahy | Yes | 6 ft | A fence requiring a permit may not extend beyond the front of any building or into the street yard | — |
| City of Franklin | Yes | Max 6 ft, or up to 8 ft if abutting an arterial road; may be 100% opaque | Front yard: max 4 ft | 414-425-0084 |
| City of Glendale | Yes | 6 ft | Front yard: only decorative or split-rail fences; 3 ft | 414-228-1770 |
| City of Greenfield | Yes | Up to 6 ft | Fences may not be within the front yard | — |
| City of Milwaukee | Yes | 6 feet | 4 feet | 414-286-8210 |
| City of Oak Creek | Yes | 6 ft | Fences are prohibited in front yards | 414-766-7002 |
| City of South Milwaukee | Yes | 6 ft | Front yard 4 ft | 414-768-8054 |
| City of St. Francis | Yes | 6 ft | In residential areas fences generally may not extend closer to the street than the front building line or front setback line | 414-316-4311 |
| City of Wauwatosa | Ask | 6.0 ft if not abutting a street | Front yard: 3.0 ft | (414) 479-8981 |
| City of West Allis | Ask | — | — | 414-302-2489 |
| Village of Bayside | Yes | 6 ft from finished lot grade | Front yard 3 ft | 414-206-3915 |
| Village of Brown Deer | Yes | Open fences 5 ft; solid fences 6 ft | Fences not allowed in front yards | 262-901-8771 |
| Village of Fox Point | Yes | 6 ft from finished lot grade | Fences may not project forward of the front line of the principal building; new fences beyond that line need a Board of Appeals special exception | 414-247-6622 |
| Village of Greendale | Yes | Open fences not more than 5 ft 6 in.; open or solid fences not more than 6 ft 6 in. must meet interior side and rear yard offset requirements | Decorative fences only in the required front yard: appearance of wood | 414-423-2100 ext. 3107 |
| Village of Hales Corners | Yes | No set maximum stated; 4 ft and under may go up to the property line, 5 ft must be 1 ft off, 6 ft must be 2 ft off | Fences are prohibited in front yard setback areas in all districts | 414-529-6172 |
| Village of River Hills | Yes | — | — | 414-352-8213 |
| Village of Shorewood | Yes | 6 ft maximum | Max 4 ft within the front setback | 414-847-2640 |
| Village of West Milwaukee | Yes | 6 ft | New fences normally not allowed in street yards | 414-645-1530 ext. 128 |
| Village of Whitefish Bay | Yes | 6 ft | Front yard 3 1/2 ft | 414-962-6690 |
Not sure which municipality you're in? Your tax bill names it, or look up your address.