Can I put a fence in my front yard in Ferndale?

The clear answer is decorative fencing up to 36 inches, allowed in any yard without a permit (Section 3.08.D). Anything taller in the front yard needs confirmation from the city.

Here is why we hedge. The fence table in Section 3.08.D is internally confusing on front yards. The per-district rows read "Not Permitted," while an all-districts column appears to allow 6 feet at 50 percent opacity. These readings conflict, and the code does not resolve them. The 36 inch decorative allowance is the only provision that reads cleanly.

Our conservative read:

• Plan on 36 inch decorative fencing in the front yard.
• Do not assume a taller front fence is allowed until Community and Economic Development confirms it at 248-336-4370.

Wherever the fence goes, it must sit at least 1 foot from a public sidewalk or right-of-way (Section 3.08.B), and it must respect the clear-vision triangles at corners and driveways (Section 3.06).