ZoningVerdict

Fences in Troy, MI

What the Troy zoning ordinance says about fences, district by district. Section numbers link to the official ordinance.

All districts

Fences are City Code Chapter 83, separate from the zoning ordinance. Residential fences must be an ornamental type (metal, wood, or masonry) and may reach 6 feet. In front of the front building setback line, the cap drops to 30 inches (City Code § 83-2(A)).

  • On a corner lot with a required double front setback and a common rear-yard relationship, a non-obscuring fence up to 48 inches may run along the common street line from the front setback line to the rear property line (City Code § 83-2(A)). The Building Board of Appeals can waive fence height limits.
  • Electrically charged fences are prohibited citywide. Barbed wire is prohibited in residential areas, except guarding attractive nuisances at 6 feet or higher (City Code § 83-4).
  • Fence permits come from the Building Department. No permit issues before final lot grading approval, and a fence in an easement needs DPW Director approval (City Code § 83-5).
  • Corner clearance: nothing over 30 inches within the 25 foot sight triangle at street intersections (Section 7.04). Front-yard fences must comply with the sight triangle (Section 7.05.B).
City Code § 83-2(A); Section 7.04

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