Do You Need a Permit to Build a Fence in Orlando FL?

Nobody gets excited about building permits. But if you're putting up a fence in Orlando or Orange County, skipping the permit process can lead to fines, forced removal, or headaches when you try to sell your home. Honestly, it's not as painful as you'd think — and we handle it for our customers every day.

Here's what you actually need to know about fence permits in Orlando, FL.

When Do You Need a Fence Permit in Orlando?

In Orlando, you generally need a zoning permit for fence installation. The City of Orlando's Code Enforcement division oversees this. Here are the basic rules:

• Residential fences over 6 feet tall always require a permit.
• Residential fences 6 feet and under typically require a zoning permit to verify setback and height compliance, though enforcement can vary.
• Commercial fences always require a permit regardless of height.
• Fences in historic districts (Lake Eola Heights, College Park, Lake Davis, South Eola) require review by the Historic Preservation Board in addition to a standard permit.

The safest approach? Always pull a permit. The cost is minimal ($75-$150 typically), and it protects you legally. We've seen Orlando homeowners skip the permit only to have a neighbor file a complaint, which triggers a code enforcement visit and potentially a stop-work order or a fine.

Orlando Fence Height Restrictions

Orlando's zoning ordinance sets maximum fence heights based on where the fence sits on your property:

• Backyard (behind the rear building line): Up to 8 feet
• Side yard (between the front and rear building lines): Up to 6 feet
• Front yard: Up to 4 feet (and many neighborhoods restrict this further)

There's an important detail here that trips people up: the "front yard" isn't just the area in front of your house. On corner lots — and there are a lot of them in grid-pattern neighborhoods like Audubon Park, Colonialtown, and Thornton Park — you have two front yards. That means both street-facing sides are limited to 4 feet. This catches a lot of corner-lot homeowners off guard.

Also, the height is measured from the ground level on the highest side of the fence. On sloped lots, this matters. A fence that's 6 feet on the low side might be 7 or 8 feet on the high side, which could put you over the limit.

Setback Requirements

Setbacks determine how close your fence can be to your property line. In most residential zones in Orlando:

• Fences can be built on or very near the property line in the backyard and side yard.
• Front yard fences must observe the required front yard setback, which varies by zoning district.
• Fences cannot block sight triangles at intersections or driveway entrances. The city requires clear visibility within a triangle measured from the intersection point of the street and driveway.

Before you assume you know where your property line is, consider getting a survey. We've worked on hundreds of properties across Orlando, and it's amazing how often the "property line" the homeowner points to is off by several feet. Old fences, hedgerows, and driveways don't always follow actual property boundaries. A survey costs $300-$500 but can prevent a much more expensive dispute with your neighbor.

HOA Rules: The Other Set of Regulations

If you live in a neighborhood with a Homeowners Association — and in the Orlando metro, that includes most of Dr. Phillips, much of Winter Park, Horizon West, many parts of Oviedo, and countless subdivisions throughout Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties — you have a second set of rules to follow.

HOA fence rules commonly cover:

• Approved materials: Many HOAs only allow certain materials. Some require vinyl or aluminum and prohibit chain link. Others mandate specific wood types or styles.
• Colors: White, tan, and natural wood tones are usually safe. Bright or unusual colors are almost always prohibited.
• Maximum height: Some HOAs set lower height limits than the city — 4 or 5 feet instead of 6.
• Style requirements: Specific picket styles, post cap requirements, or board orientation may be dictated.
• Approval process: Most HOAs require you to submit an Architectural Review request before building. This can take 2-6 weeks for approval.

Here's the critical thing: a city permit does not override your HOA rules, and HOA approval does not replace a city permit. You need both. We've seen homeowners get their city permit, build the fence, then receive a violation letter from their HOA demanding they take it down. That's an expensive mistake.

At Orlando Fence, we're familiar with the rules in most Orlando-area HOAs. When you get a quote from us, we'll ask about your HOA and help you work through their requirements before we start building anything.

How to Get a Fence Permit in Orlando

The permitting process in Orlando is fairly straightforward:

1. Prepare a site plan: This is a simple drawing showing your property lines, the location of your house, and where the fence will go. Include dimensions and the fence height.
2. Submit online or in person: Orlando allows online permit applications through their portal. You can also visit the Orange County Code Enforcement office.
3. Pay the fee: Residential fence permits typically cost $75-$150.
4. Wait for review: Standard review takes 5-10 business days. Historic district reviews take longer.
5. Receive approval: Once approved, you can start building. Keep the permit posted on-site during construction.

We handle this entire process for our customers. When you hire Orlando Fence, permit filing and coordination is included in our service — you don't have to visit any offices or fill out any forms.

What Happens If You Build Without a Permit?

We won't sugarcoat it — some people build fences without permits and never have a problem. But when problems do happen, they're not fun:

• Fines: Orlando can issue fines for unpermitted construction. These vary but can be several hundred dollars.
• Forced modification or removal: If your fence violates height or setback rules, the city can require you to modify or remove it — at your expense.
• Neighbor disputes: The most common way unpermitted fences get flagged is through neighbor complaints. If your neighbor is unhappy about the fence, a call to code enforcement is all it takes.
• Problems selling your home: During a title search or home inspection, an unpermitted fence can show up as an issue. Buyers (or their lenders) may require you to get a retroactive permit or remove the fence before closing.

For the small cost and effort of getting a permit, it's just not worth the risk to skip it.

Special Situations

Pool Fences

If you have a swimming pool, Florida building code requires a fence or barrier around it that meets specific safety standards. Pool fences must be at least 4 feet tall, with self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward. The permit process for pool fences may involve a building permit in addition to the zoning permit.

Replacing an Existing Fence

If you're replacing a fence in the exact same location with the same height and material, some jurisdictions are more relaxed about permits. However, in Orlando, it's still recommended to pull a permit, especially if the original fence was unpermitted or if you're making any changes to the footprint.

Temporary Fences

Construction fences and temporary barriers typically don't require a residential zoning permit but may need a permit if they affect public rights-of-way or sidewalks.

We Handle the Paperwork

The permit process is a routine part of every fence installation we do. When you work with Orlando Fence, we take care of the permit application, site plan, and any follow-up with the city or your HOA. You don't have to worry about whether your fence meets code — that's our job.

Ready to get started? Call us at (704) 749-0642 or request a free estimate. We'll walk through the permitting requirements for your specific property and neighborhood so there are no surprises.