City of Stevens Point fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Stevens Point? Yes. The City of Stevens Point 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 Stevens Point (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- $55 source
- Side and rear yards
- 10 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- 6 ft in a front yard, but fences less than 50% open may not exceed 3 ft within 10 ft of a street or alley right-of-way source
- Corner lots
- 2 ft above the sidewalk level in the vision areas (within 20 ft of the corner of two streets, and along driveways within 10 ft); a 6 ft fence may be allowed in the rear yard street setback of a corner lot if set 2 ft back from the street source
- Distance from lot line
- No general lot-line setback in the fencing section. Fences may not be placed within 10 ft of a street or alley right-of-way where they would interfere with traffic visibility. source
- Not allowed
- Materials hazardous to children, including barbed wire, razor wire and electric fences. Fences must be sound and well maintained: no broken, peeling or rotted materials, scrap or salvaged materials, or non-uniform materials. source
- How to apply
- Email, in person source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Stevens Point
Steps based on stevenspoint.com — Application Building Permit Residential
- Fill out the City's Residential Permit Application, describing the fence.
- Send it to [email protected] or bring it to the Inspection Department at 1515 Strongs Ave (715-346-1567).
- Pay the $55 fence permit fee; the City does not review or approve until fees are received.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- $55 fence permit (includes review); fees are non-refundable once the permit is issued
Who to contact
- Phone
- 715-346-1567
- [email protected]
- Address
- Inspection Department, City of Stevens Point, 1515 Strongs Ave, Stevens Point, WI 54481
Contact from stevenspoint.com — Application Building Permit Residential
What to submit
- Residential Permit Application (City of Stevens Point Inspection Department)
Other rules to know
- The City's Residential Permits Requirements list (updated 6/8/22) says a permit is required for "Fencing, or retaining walls 2 feet or higher"; temporary garden fencing (such as mesh) does not need a permit.
- Working without an approved permit results in double permit fees.
- Properties in the Historic District may need approval for exterior work, and properties abutting shoreland should contact the department before any exterior work.
- Fences built before the fencing guidelines were adopted are grandfathered except as to materials or condition. Exceptions need site plan review by the Plan Commission and Common Council.
- The City is rewriting its zoning code (drafts presented in 2025); the fence rules here are from Chapter 23 as revised May 5, 2026.
- City Clerk (Portage County Official Directory, 11-4-2026): Susan Pagel, 715-346-1569.
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 Stevens Point, WI?
Yes. The City of Stevens Point requires a permit before you build a fence. The City's Residential Permits Requirements list (updated 6/8/22) says a permit is required for "Fencing, or retaining walls 2 feet or higher"; temporary garden fencing (such as mesh) does not need a permit.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Stevens Point?
Side and rear yards: 10 ft. Front (street) yard: 6 ft in a front yard, but fences less than 50% open may not exceed 3 ft within 10 ft of a street or alley right-of-way. Corner lots: 2 ft above the sidewalk level in the vision areas (within 20 ft of the corner of two streets, and along driveways within 10 ft); a 6 ft fence may be allowed in the rear yard street setback of a corner lot if set 2 ft back from the street.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Stevens Point?
No general lot-line setback in the fencing section. Fences may not be placed within 10 ft of a street or alley right-of-way where they would interfere with traffic visibility.
How much is a fence permit in the City of Stevens Point?
$55.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Stevens Point?
Fill out the City's Residential Permit Application, describing the fence. Send it to [email protected] or bring it to the Inspection Department at 1515 Strongs Ave (715-346-1567). Pay the $55 fence permit fee; the City does not review or approve until fees are received. 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 Stevens Point (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Stevens Point?
Community Development / Inspection Department. Phone 715-346-1567, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Stevens Point's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Code §23.01(16) Fencing Standards
Work for the City of Stevens Point? 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.