City of Mequon fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Mequon? Yes. The City of Mequon 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 Mequon (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
- Under 4.5 ft allowed anywhere on the lot; over 4.5 ft must meet district setback/offset rules (closer to a non-street lot line only with the adjoining owner's written consent) source
- Front (street) yard
- Over 4.5 ft and up to 6 ft may come to within 5 ft of a street right-of-way if the street side is attractively landscaped and approved by the building inspector source
- Corner lots
- No obstructions over 3 ft high in the corner sight triangle at local and collector street intersections source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences under 4.5 ft may be placed anywhere on the lot. Fences over 4.5 ft must meet the district's setback and offset requirements; with the adjoining owner's written consent they may be closer to a non-street lot line but may not project forward of the building setback line. source
- Not allowed
- No structure that creates a nuisance by noise, dust, odor, appearance or other objectionable factor. source
- How to apply
- Call 262-236-2924 source
Still being confirmed with Mequon: Can fence permit applications be submitted by email or online, and what is the fence permit fee?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Mequon
Steps based on cityofmequonwi.gov — building permit information residential
- Get the Building Permit Application and Zoning Form from the City's Residential Building Permit Information page.
- Attach a survey showing where the fence will go, with distances to the lot lines marked.
- Fence over 4.5 ft closer to a side or rear line than the district offset? Get the neighbor's written consent.
- Call the Inspections Department (262-236-2924) to confirm how to submit and the fee.
- Wait for the permit (about 1-2 weeks) before starting work.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Review time
- About 1-2 weeks
Who to contact
- Phone
- 262-236-2924
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (City Hall)
- Address
- Mequon City Hall, 11333 N Cedarburg Road, Mequon, WI
Contact from cityofmequonwi.gov — building permit information residential
What to submit
- Building Permit Application
- Zoning Form (required for any exterior work)
- Survey showing where the fence goes with distances to the lot lines marked
Other rules to know
- Permits take about 1-2 weeks to issue; do not start work until the permit is issued.
- Work done without a permit is charged twice the permit fee.
- The City's permit pages list no submission email, portal or fee schedule; Karen Heil (262-236-2924) is named for plan review questions on the commercial permit page.
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 Mequon, WI?
Yes. The City of Mequon requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Mequon?
Side and rear yards: Under 4.5 ft allowed anywhere on the lot; over 4.5 ft must meet district setback/offset rules (closer to a non-street lot line only with the adjoining owner's written consent). Front (street) yard: Over 4.5 ft and up to 6 ft may come to within 5 ft of a street right-of-way if the street side is attractively landscaped and approved by the building inspector. Corner lots: No obstructions over 3 ft high in the corner sight triangle at local and collector street intersections.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Mequon?
Fences under 4.5 ft may be placed anywhere on the lot. Fences over 4.5 ft must meet the district's setback and offset requirements; with the adjoining owner's written consent they may be closer to a non-street lot line but may not project forward of the building setback line.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Mequon?
Get the Building Permit Application and Zoning Form from the City's Residential Building Permit Information page. Attach a survey showing where the fence will go, with distances to the lot lines marked. Fence over 4.5 ft closer to a side or rear line than the district offset? Get the neighbor's written consent. Call the Inspections Department (262-236-2924) to confirm how to submit and the fee. Wait for the permit (about 1-2 weeks) before starting work. permit.guide can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Mequon (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Mequon?
Inspections Department. Phone 262-236-2924.
Sources
Summarized from the City of Mequon's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Code Sec. 58-419(c) (fences, walls and screening devices)
Work for the City of Mequon? 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.