It depends on the height of the fence, where it sits on the lot and which town you are in. In Charlotte, zoning rules for fences are in the city's Unified Development Ordinance, and building permits are handled by Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement. We check both for your address before any work starts.
Do I need a permit to build or replace a fence?
Ask before you build, because two sets of rules apply. Zoning decides how tall a fence can be and where it can go, and those rules apply whether or not a building permit is needed. The building side depends on things like height and the type of structure. For a like-for-like replacement at the same height and in the same place the answer is often simpler, but it is the city or county that decides, not the contractor. Matthews, Mint Hill, Huntersville, Cornelius and Pineville each have their own zoning. Concord and Harrisburg are in Cabarrus County, Indian Trail is in Union County, Belmont and Gastonia are in Gaston County, and Fort Mill is in South Carolina. Our town pages name the office for each.
How tall can my fence be? Is 6 feet allowed?
Six feet is the height most Charlotte homeowners ask for in a back yard, and it is the usual privacy height in the area. Front yards and the street side of corner lots are normally held to lower fences, and there are sight-line rules near driveways and intersections. The exact limits for your zoning district are in the Unified Development Ordinance. We confirm them, and your HOA's limit, before we quote.
How close to the property line can I build? Do I need a survey?
Most fences are built on the owner's side, at or just inside the line. A fence must stay out of the street right-of-way, which often reaches several feet behind the curb or sidewalk. Many Charlotte lots also have storm drainage or utility easements along a side or rear line. If the boundary is not marked, or the corner pins cannot be found, get a plot plan or a survey before the first post goes in. That is work for a licensed land surveyor.
I live in a historic district. What can I build?
Talk to the Charlotte Historic District Commission staff before picking a fence. Charlotte has local historic districts in several close-in neighborhoods, Dilworth and Fourth Ward among them, and exterior changes there are reviewed. Expect closer attention to material, height and anything in front of the house. Concord, Belmont and Gastonia have historic districts of their own. We check what applies to your address instead of guessing.
Can my condo association or HOA restrict my fence?
Yes. Much of the Charlotte area is in planned communities, and their covenants can limit height, style, material, color and location. Those limits sit on top of the city's. Get the approval in writing before we order anything.
We are adding a pool. What fence does code require?
A pool has to be enclosed by a barrier that meets the building code in force at your address, and it is inspected. The code covers the minimum height, the largest gap allowed, the clearance at the bottom, anything a child could climb, and gates that close and latch by themselves. In Mecklenburg County, ask Code Enforcement for the current requirements. Fort Mill follows South Carolina's code. We build to the written requirements for your permit.
The inspector failed my existing fence for the pool. Who brings it up to code?
A fence contractor can. Typical fixes are self-closing hinges and a self-latching latch on each gate, a latch moved higher, a gate turned to swing away from the pool, gaps under the fence closed, and short or climbable sections replaced. Send us the written list from the inspection and we will price each item.
My association only allows a 4-foot open fence, but I want privacy. What are my options?
Work inside the rules first. Evergreen planting behind a 4-foot open fence gives privacy in a few seasons and grows well in this climate. Some associations treat a screen beside a patio differently from a boundary fence, so ask. You can also request a variance from the board in writing. Check the plat for drainage and utility easements, since a fence may not be allowed in one.
Who calls 811 before digging, me or the contractor?
Whoever is doing the digging. In North Carolina the request goes to NC811, the state's utility locating service. It has to be made some working days before the dig, and NC811 gives the exact notice period when the request is placed. The utilities then mark the lines they own. When we build your fence, we make the request. In Fort Mill the request goes to South Carolina 811 instead. Private lines such as irrigation, landscape lighting, invisible dog fence and power to a shed are not marked by the utilities, so show us where they run.
My contractor wants to skip the permit and reuse the old holes. What is the risk?
The owner carries the risk. If a permit or zoning approval was required and was not obtained, the city or county can stop the work or require changes, and the problem can come up again when you sell. Reusing old holes is also poor practice: the old concrete is in the way and the hole is often the reason the post failed.
The city says my existing fence breaks the current rules. Can I just repair it?
Ask the zoning office first. An older fence that was legal when built can sometimes be maintained, while a full rebuild may have to follow the rules in force today. That is the city's decision. Get the answer in writing before you spend money.
The only way to get a real price for your yard is a site visit, and ours is free. Call (980) 291-4187 or text us a photo of the fence line.