How tall can my fence be in Rochester Hills?

Six feet in side and rear yards. On residential property, fences in side and rear yards may rise to 6 feet (§ 138-10.107.C.2).

Placement matters as much as height. The fence may not extend closer to the front lot line than the front of the dwelling or the minimum front setback, whichever is less (§ 138-10.107.C.2). Forward of that point, only fences up to 3 feet are allowed in the required front and side-street yards (§ 138-10.107.C.3).

Two more points. A hedge or shrub row placed to act as a barrier counts as a fence and follows the same limits (§ 138-13.101). Fabric fences are prohibited, and barbed wire is prohibited on residential property (§ 138-10.107.C.4).

Corner fences must also comply with § 138-10.103. On a residential corner lot, § 138-10.103 requires the greater of: 10 feet from a side-street right-of-way or utility easement; or the required front setback of a residential lot within 300 feet, on the same or opposite side of the street, that has a front-yard relationship to that street. The displayed § 138-10.107.C.2 contains “dwelling of the minimum front setback”; the intended conjunction is unclear, so confirm exact placement for a deep-set house.