Waukesha County fence permit rules
Fence rules in Waukesha 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 Brookfield | Yes | Decorative fences at least 50% open and 4 ft or less; a privacy fence up to 6 ft high and 20 ft long is allowed only next to a patio in the rear yard; chain link pet enclosure up to 100 sq ft and 6 ft high in the rear yard, at least 20 ft from the lot line | Decorative fences at least 50% open and 4 ft or less | 262-796-6646 |
| City of Delafield | Yes | Privacy or patio fences up to 6 ft, only in the rear yard within the allowable principal building location | Decorative fences 50% open and 4 ft or less | 262-646-6220 |
| City of Muskego | Yes | Fence panels 6 ft, total system | Fence panels 6 ft | 262-679-4136 |
| City of New Berlin | No | 74 inches | 50 inches in the front yard | 262-786-8610 |
| City of Oconomowoc | Yes | 6 ft on residential property | 4 ft in a required front or street yard | 262-569-2195 |
| City of Pewaukee | Yes | 6 ft from grade | 3 ft and ornamental on the street side of a residence in the front yard | 262-691-9107 |
| City of Waukesha | No | 6 ft | No fences in the required front yard | 262-524-3530 |
| Village of Big Bend | Yes | 6 ft | 4 ft in the street yard | 262-662-2747 |
| Village of Butler | Yes | 6 ft | No front yard fences; ornamental fences in the street yard up to 2 1/2 ft | 262-226-0267 |
| Village of Chenequa | Yes | 8 ft maximum | 8 ft maximum | 262-825-8820 |
| Village of Dousman | No | 6 ft | 4 ft | 262-965-3792 |
| Village of Eagle | Ask | — | — | 414-745-1884 |
| Village of Elm Grove | Yes | 4 ft | Fences may not project forward of the rear line of the home; garden fences up to 36 in. and decorative fences up to 4 ft may be in setback areas | 262-782-6700 |
| Village of Hartland | Yes | 6 ft | Residential fences may not extend into the street yard; ornamental fences up to 4 ft allowed in the street yard | 920-988-9795 |
| Village of Lac La Belle | Yes | 4 feet | 3 feet | 920-723-4100 |
| Village of Lannon | Ask | — | — | 262-251-7690 |
| Village of Lisbon | No | 6 ft above ground level | — | 262-844-1594 |
| Village of Menomonee Falls | Yes | Up to 4 1/2 ft without a permit; 6 ft maximum with a permit | Up to 4 1/2 ft without a permit; over 4 1/2 ft | 262-532-4282 |
| Village of Merton | Ask | Open fences 4 ft within 20 ft of the property line, 5 ft beyond 20 ft | Ornamental fences only | 262-844-1594 |
| Village of Mukwonago | Yes | 6 ft | Residential fences may not extend into the street yard; ornamental fences up to 3 ft and 24 ft total length allowed in the street yard | 262-363-6420 ext. 2109 |
| Village of Nashotah | Ask | 6 ft | Residential fences may not extend into the street yard; ornamental fences up to 48 in. allowed in the street yard | 262-367-8440 |
| Village of North Prairie | Yes | 6 ft | Residential fences may not extend into the street yard | 262-210-3226 |
| Village of Oconomowoc Lake | Ask | — | — | 262-490-0513 |
| Village of Pewaukee | Ask | Under 4 1/2 ft allowed anywhere; over 4 1/2 ft must meet district height, setback and offset rules | Under 4 1/2 ft allowed anywhere on the lot; over 4 1/2 ft and up to 6 ft may come within 5 ft of a street right-of-way if the street side is landscaped and the building inspector approves | 262-691-5660 |
| Village of Summit | No | 6 ft | 4 ft maximum recommended in the front yard | 262-490-4141 |
| Village of Sussex | Yes | 6 ft | Residential fences may not extend into the street yard; ornamental fences up to 48 in.; front-yard accent fences up to 42 in. meeting district setbacks | 262-246-5212 |
| Village of Vernon | Ask | — | — | 262-662-2039 |
| Village of Wales | Yes | 4 ft without a permit | — | 262-490-4141 |
| Village of Waukesha | No | 6 ft along residential lot lines | 4.5 ft in the street yard | 262-542-5030 |
| Town of Brookfield | Yes | Open fences 4 ft; solid fences 6 ft | Fences may not extend into the street yard | 262-796-3760 |
| Town of Delafield | Yes | Over 3 ft up to 6 ft allowed behind the nearest part of the house | Up to 3 ft anywhere on the lot; over 3 ft between the road right-of-way and the house needs Plan Commission approval | 262-646-2778 |
| Town of Eagle | Ask | — | — | 262-210-3226 |
| Town of Genesee | Ask | — | — | 262-825-8820 |
| Town of Merton | Ask | — | — | 262-966-2469 |
| Town of Mukwonago | Ask | — | — | 262-204-2350 |
| Town of Oconomowoc | Yes | Over 4 ft only if it meets the district's minimum structure setback | Over 3 ft only if set back from the base setback line by the district's minimum structure setback | 920-723-4100 |
| Town of Ottawa | Ask | — | — | 262-490-0513 |
Not sure which municipality you're in? Your tax bill names it, or look up your address.