City of Port Washington fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Port Washington? Yes. The City of Port Washington 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 Port Washington (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- Minimum permit fee (applies to all fence permits) source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- 4 ft within the setback area (on corner lots or where a street is at the rear, the setback applies to all street lines) source
- Corner lots
- 2½ ft within the vision triangle (20 ft from the lot corner each way) at street or street-alley intersections, except open fences with clear vision source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences up to 6 ft allowed anywhere on the lot except within the setback area (4 ft max there). Fences may be built up to the property line but not on or over it; the City does not require a survey. source
- Good side faces
- Posts and supports face inward, toward your house or yard, so the good side faces the neighbor. source
- Not allowed
- Wire fencing, scrap lumber, wood pallets, doors and other unapproved, unsightly or hazardous materials. source
- How to apply
- Online portal, in person source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Port Washington
Steps based on portwashingtonwi.gov — arch 1
- Fill out, sign and date the 1 & 2 Family Building Permit Application and check "Fence".
- Prepare a site plan, plus a survey or GIS map, showing the fence location.
- Upload the application, plans and survey/GIS map to the online permit portal (or apply in person at City Hall, 100 W Grand Ave).
- SAFEbuilt verifies the fee and emails it to you; pay it.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- Minimum permit fee; SAFEbuilt emails the verified fee
Who to contact
Justin Brandt
Asst. Operations Manager, SAFEbuilt (building inspection for the City) - code questions
- Phone
- 262-268-4277
- [email protected]
- Address
- City Hall, 100 West Grand Avenue, Port Washington, WI 53074
Contact from portwashingtonwi.gov — arch 1
What to submit
- 1 & 2 Family Building Permit Application (check the Fence box), signed and dated
- Site plan, plus survey or GIS map
Other rules to know
- A permit is required for both new and replacement fences; replacements must meet current code.
- Building inspection is handled by SAFEbuilt; fees are verified by SAFEbuilt and emailed to you.
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 Port Washington, WI?
Yes. The City of Port Washington requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Port Washington?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft. Front (street) yard: 4 ft within the setback area (on corner lots or where a street is at the rear, the setback applies to all street lines). Corner lots: 2½ ft within the vision triangle (20 ft from the lot corner each way) at street or street-alley intersections, except open fences with clear vision.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Port Washington?
Fences up to 6 ft allowed anywhere on the lot except within the setback area (4 ft max there). Fences may be built up to the property line but not on or over it; the City does not require a survey.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Port Washington?
Posts and supports face inward, toward your house or yard, so the good side faces the neighbor.
How much is a fence permit in the City of Port Washington?
Minimum permit fee (applies to all fence permits).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Port Washington?
Fill out, sign and date the 1 & 2 Family Building Permit Application and check "Fence". Prepare a site plan, plus a survey or GIS map, showing the fence location. Upload the application, plans and survey/GIS map to the online permit portal (or apply in person at City Hall, 100 W Grand Ave). SAFEbuilt verifies the fee and emails it to you; pay it. 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 Port Washington (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Port Washington?
Justin Brandt, Asst. Operations Manager, SAFEbuilt (building inspection for the City) - code questions. Phone 262-268-4277, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Port Washington's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the City of Port Washington? 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.