Do I need a permit for a fence in Ferndale, and how tall can it be?
Yes, a Fence Permit is required for any fence or gate (Section 3.08.A). The one exception is decorative fencing up to 36 inches, which is allowed in any yard without a permit (Section 3.08.D).
Height limits by location (Section 3.08.D):
- Side and rear yards, residential. Maximum 6 feet, with a 3 foot minimum on sides. Full opacity is allowed.
- CBD. Maximum 4 feet.
- Industrial. Maximum 8 feet.
- Front yard. The code's front-yard row is internally confusing, so treat 36 inch decorative fencing as the only clear allowance and confirm anything taller with the city at 248-336-4370.
Placement rules (Section 3.08.B): the fence must sit at least 1 foot from a public sidewalk or right-of-way, gates may not swing over public property, and side-by-side duplicate fences need a CED waiver. Review is administrative through the Building Department (Section 9.07).
Sources
Full text: Ferndale ordinance on city-hosted PDF (Municipal Code Online mirror). Applies to district: *.
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