City of Waukesha fence rules
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Waukesha? No. The City of Waukesha does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
At permit.guide you can draw your fence on an aerial photo of your lot and check it against the City of Waukesha's rules before you build. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- No (typical residential fence) source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- No fences in the required front yard (fences typically start at the front foundation wall) source
- Corner lots
- 3 ft within a vision triangle; on corner lots the longer street side is a side yard where fences are allowed outside the required front setback source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences may sit up to the property line but not onto or over it, and not in the City right-of-way. source
- Good side faces
- Good side faces outward toward the neighbor, street or alley. source
- Not allowed
- Barbed wire and electric fences in residential districts (allowed only in T-1 temporary districts for livestock). source
- How to apply
- Call 262-524-3530 source
How to build within the rules in the City of Waukesha
Steps based on waukesha-wi.gov — fence installation
- No permit needed for a residential fence; keep it out of the required front yard and no taller than 6 ft (3 ft in vision triangles).
- Have a surveyor mark your lot lines so the fence stays on your side.
- Face the good side outward toward the neighbor or street.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
Who to contact
- Phone
- 262-524-3530
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Address
- Community Development, City Hall, 201 Delafield Street, Waukesha, WI 53188
Contact from waukesha-wi.gov — fence installation
Other rules to know
- Residential fences do not need a permit but must follow the City's fence rules.
- Commercial and multifamily (3+ units) properties must contact the Planning Department for submittal requirements.
- The City suggests talking with neighbors and having a surveyor mark the lot lines; property-line disputes are civil matters.
- All fences must be kept in good repair.
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 Waukesha, WI?
No. The City of Waukesha does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply. Residential fences do not need a permit but must follow the City's fence rules.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Waukesha?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft. Front (street) yard: No fences in the required front yard (fences typically start at the front foundation wall). Corner lots: 3 ft within a vision triangle; on corner lots the longer street side is a side yard where fences are allowed outside the required front setback.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Waukesha?
Fences may sit up to the property line but not onto or over it, and not in the City right-of-way.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Waukesha?
Good side faces outward toward the neighbor, street or alley.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Waukesha?
Community Development / Planning. Phone 262-524-3530.
Sources
Summarized from the City of Waukesha's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Municipal Code Sec. 22.58 Accessory Use Regulations
Work for the City of Waukesha? 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.