City of Brookfield fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Brookfield? Yes. The City of Brookfield 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 Brookfield (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- $80.00 plus a nonrefundable $50.00 minor plan review fee source
- Side and rear yards
- 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 source
- Front (street) yard
- Decorative fences at least 50% open and 4 ft or less source
- Distance from lot line
- Decorative fences may go right up to the lot line; lot corners must be located with stakes or a reference line. Pet enclosures at least 20 ft from the lot line. source
- Not allowed
- You may not fence in your yard for privacy (only the limited patio privacy fence is allowed). source
- How to apply
- Call 262-796-6646 source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Brookfield
Steps based on ci.brookfield.wi.us — DocumentView.asp
- Get a current survey and mark where the fence will go; stake the lot corners or run a reference line.
- Have a photo or drawing of a typical fence panel ready.
- Apply through the City's online permitting system and pay the $50 plan review fee at application (the $80 permit fee also applies).
- After the fence is installed, request a final inspection to close out the permit.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- $50 nonrefundable plan review fee due at application; $80 permit fee
- Inspections
- Final inspection after installation
Who to contact
- Phone
- 262-796-6646
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
- Address
- City Hall, 2000 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield, WI 53005
Contact from ci.brookfield.wi.us — DocumentView.asp
What to submit
- Photo or drawing of a typical fence panel
- Current survey of the property showing where the fence will go
Other rules to know
- No permit needed for a decorative fence more than 50% open and less than 4 ft high.
- Residential lots next to commercial property should call Inspection Services for clarification.
- Pool and tennis court fences are covered by separate ordinances.
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 Brookfield, WI?
Yes. The City of Brookfield requires a permit before you build a fence. No permit needed for a decorative fence more than 50% open and less than 4 ft high.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Brookfield?
Side and rear yards: 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. Front (street) yard: Decorative fences at least 50% open and 4 ft or less.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Brookfield?
Decorative fences may go right up to the lot line; lot corners must be located with stakes or a reference line. Pet enclosures at least 20 ft from the lot line.
How much is a fence permit in the City of Brookfield?
$80.00 plus a nonrefundable $50.00 minor plan review fee.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Brookfield?
Get a current survey and mark where the fence will go; stake the lot corners or run a reference line. Have a photo or drawing of a typical fence panel ready. Apply through the City's online permitting system and pay the $50 plan review fee at application (the $80 permit fee also applies). After the fence is installed, request a final inspection to close out the permit. 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 Brookfield (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Brookfield?
Inspection Services Department. Phone 262-796-6646.
Sources
Summarized from the City of Brookfield's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the City of Brookfield? 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.