City of Delafield fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Delafield? Yes. The City of Delafield 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 Delafield (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
- Privacy or patio fences up to 6 ft, only in the rear yard within the allowable principal building location (unless the Plan Commission grants an exception) source
- Front (street) yard
- Decorative fences 50% open and 4 ft or less (no permit needed) source
- Distance from lot line
- Privacy/patio fences must be in the rear yard and within the allowable principal building location (i.e., meet principal building setbacks) unless the Plan Commission grants an exception. source
- Good side faces
- Finished/decorative side faces the neighboring properties or street; supporting side faces your property. source
- Not allowed
- Decorative fences may not include wire systems other than cyclone fences. Solid fences dividing open areas are discouraged; fences that become an eyesore or hurt neighborhood property values must be removed when ordered. source
- How to apply
- Call 262-646-6220 source
Still being confirmed with Delafield: What is the fence permit fee, and can the application be emailed or filed online?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Delafield
Steps based on mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us — pdf
- Check whether your fence is exempt (decorative, 50% open, 4 ft or less).
- If not, get a survey showing the fence location and apply to the Building Inspector for a permit.
- Privacy fence outside the rear-yard building area? Ask the Plan Commission for an exception first.
- Call City Hall (262-646-6220) to confirm the fee and how to submit.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
Who to contact
- Phone
- 262-646-6220
- Address
- Delafield City Hall, 500 Genesee Street, Delafield, WI 53018
Contact from waukeshacounty.gov — coordinating agencies
What to submit
- Survey showing the fence
- Permit application to the Building Inspector
Other rules to know
- No permit needed for decorative fences that are 50% open and 4 ft or less in height, or for fences required by the pool/tennis court ordinances as part of an approved plan.
- In 2024 the Plan Commission denied a 6-ft solid vinyl fence on a lot line because it was solid, too tall and on the property line.
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 Delafield, WI?
Yes. The City of Delafield requires a permit before you build a fence. No permit needed for decorative fences that are 50% open and 4 ft or less in height, or for fences required by the pool/tennis court ordinances as part of an approved plan.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Delafield?
Side and rear yards: Privacy or patio fences up to 6 ft, only in the rear yard within the allowable principal building location (unless the Plan Commission grants an exception). Front (street) yard: Decorative fences 50% open and 4 ft or less (no permit needed).
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Delafield?
Privacy/patio fences must be in the rear yard and within the allowable principal building location (i.e., meet principal building setbacks) unless the Plan Commission grants an exception.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Delafield?
Finished/decorative side faces the neighboring properties or street; supporting side faces your property.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Delafield?
Check whether your fence is exempt (decorative, 50% open, 4 ft or less). If not, get a survey showing the fence location and apply to the Building Inspector for a permit. Privacy fence outside the rear-yard building area? Ask the Plan Commission for an exception first. Call City Hall (262-646-6220) to confirm the fee and how to submit. 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 Delafield (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Delafield?
Building Inspector (via City Hall). Phone 262-646-6220.
Sources
Summarized from the City of Delafield's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Code Sec. 17.14(5) Fences, walls and hedges (Ord. No. 769, 2020)
Work for the City of Delafield? 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.