Fence Permit Guide for Livingston and Washtenaw County, MI
Planning a new fence? Before the first post hole is dug, check whether your city, village or township wants a permit. Rules change from one community to the next, even across the road. This guide pulls together what each local government publishes for residential fences in the areas Michigan Fence Repair serves, with a link to the official source for each one.
Please note: This is a quick reference, not legal advice. Ordinances and fees change. Where we could not find a detail on an official site, we say "call the building department." Always confirm with your local office before you buy materials.
Quick Tips Before You Start
- Know whether you live in a city, village or township. A Howell or Brighton mailing address may actually be in a surrounding township.
- Have a site plan or survey ready. Most offices want a drawing showing the fence, your house and your property lines.
- Front yards almost always have a lower height limit than back yards, and corner lots often count as having two front yards.
- Call MISS DIG 811 before any digging.
Fence Permit Rules by Community
| Community | Permit Required? | Height Limits (Front / Side / Rear) | Setbacks and Corner Visibility | Inspection | Fee | Official Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor (city) Washtenaw County | Yes. Zoning compliance permit for fences 7 ft or less, filed online through STREAM. Over 7 ft also needs a building permit. | Front: 4 ft max, 50% opacity. Side: 6 ft max, 80% opacity. Rear: 8 ft max. | No minimum setback; the whole fence must be on your property. Floodplain and historic district lots need extra review. | call the building department | $75 | City of Ann Arbor Fence Guidelines (PDF) |
| Brighton (city) Livingston County | Yes. Fences are on the city list of work that needs a permit before work starts. | Side and rear: 72 in (6 ft) max (Zoning Sec. 98-5.11). Front: lower limit applies; confirm with the city. | call the building department | call the building department | call the building department | City of Brighton Building and Permits |
| Howell (city) Livingston County | Yes. Fence Application for Zoning Compliance. Fence on the property line needs signatures from affected neighbors. | Front: 3 ft max (posts on a 36 in fence may be 48 in). Side and rear: 6 ft max. Corner lot street side yard: 4 ft max. | Fences need a minimum 25 ft of front yard. Nothing over 36 in within the 25 ft visibility triangle at street intersections. | call the building department | $45 | City of Howell Building and Permit Guidelines |
| Chelsea (city) Washtenaw County | Yes. The city publishes a Fence Permit Application; a zoning permit comes before any C.A.C.A. building permit. | call the building department (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 6.08) | call the building department | call the building department | call the building department (see Community Development Fee Schedule) | City of Chelsea Forms and Permits |
| Dexter (city) Washtenaw County | Yes. Fence permit with a plot plan survey signed and sealed by a licensed surveyor or engineer, plus a scaled fence drawing. | Front: 36 in max, ornamental, non-sight-obscuring. Side: 6 ft (4 ft on corner lots). Rear: 6 ft privacy max. | Front yard fences at least 6 in from the public sidewalk or property line; corner lots must keep clear vision (Sec. 3.08). | call the building department | $50 | City of Dexter Fence Permit Application (PDF) |
| Pinckney (village) Livingston County | Yes. Village Land Use Permit is required for fences. | call the building department | call the building department | call the building department | $35 (residential land use permit) | Village of Pinckney Planning and Zoning |
| Whitmore Lake / Northfield Twp Washtenaw County | call the building department | call the building department | call the building department | call the building department | call the building department | Northfield Township Building and Zoning |
| Hamburg Twp Livingston County | Yes. Land Use Permit with plot plan, fence photo, and owner authorization or signed contract. | Front: 4 ft max, 50% open (corner lots have a front yard on each road). Outside the front yard: 6 ft max. | Fences stay inside lot lines and off road easements; corner lot rules apply. No fences in wetlands. Keep 7.5 ft from grinder pumps. | Yes. Stake the fence for a township site inspection; call for a final inspection. $25 re-inspection fee if not staked. | call the building department | Hamburg Township Fences: Documents Needed |
| Genoa Twp Livingston County | Yes. Township land use permit. Contact Livingston County Building Department afterward if a building permit applies. | Front (street side): 3 ft max, no more than 49% impervious, no chain link. Side and rear: 6 ft max. | No fences in the required waterfront yard. | The application authorizes township on-site inspections; call the building department for details. | $50 | Genoa Township Zoning Department |
| Green Oak Twp Livingston County | Yes. Land use permit with a site plan showing the fence location. | Front: 4 ft max. Side and rear: 6 ft max (residential). Height includes posts and caps. | Entirely within your lot lines. Corner lots must also meet Sec. 38-178 setbacks. | call the building department | $50 | Green Oak Twp Sec. 38-176 Fences (PDF) |
| Putnam Twp Livingston County | Yes. Zoning Compliance (Land Use) permit with plot plan. | Front: 3 ft solid or 4 ft open. Max 6 ft elsewhere; taller in some districts only with a Special Land Use Permit. | call the building department | Yes. First and final zoning inspection (included in the fee). | $75 ($150 if filed after work starts) | Putnam Township Zoning and Ordinances |
| Unadilla Twp / Gregory Livingston County | Yes. The current zoning ordinance (Sec. 11.02) requires a Certificate of Zoning Compliance for new or substantially rebuilt fences. | Between front building line and front lot line: 4 ft max. Max 6 ft (8 ft on a line next to a nonresidential district). | Fence and footings fully on your parcel. Visibility rules apply to fences within 10 ft of a driveway. | Applicant must be available for on-site inspections; call the building department for details. | call the building department | Unadilla Township Zoning Department |
| Scio Twp Washtenaw County | call the building department | call the building department | call the building department | call the building department | call the building department | Scio Township Homeowner Resources |
| Pittsfield Twp Washtenaw County | Yes. Fence Permit Application with a mortgage survey or property sketch. Over 7 ft also needs a building permit. | Residential: 6 ft max. Corner lot front or street yard: 3 ft ornamental. | See Zoning Ordinance Sec. 13.06. Drainage easement crossings need an acknowledgment form. | call the building department | $50 (residential) | Pittsfield Twp Fence Permit Application (PDF) |
| Ypsilanti (city) Washtenaw County | Yes. Zoning Review Application (fences, sheds, etc.). Fences on a property line need a notarized adjacent owner letter. | Front: 4 ft max, 50% opaque. Side, street side and rear: 6 ft max. | call the building department | call the building department | call the building department | City of Ypsilanti Zoning Review Application (PDF) |
| Saline (city) Washtenaw County | Yes. Zoning compliance permit with a site plan showing location, type and height. | Front: 36 in max, ornamental. Rear and side: 6 ft max. Corner lots: up to 5 ft ornamental, with conditions. | Front fences 2 ft from side lot lines and 3 ft from the sidewalk. Nothing between 30 in and 10 ft high within 25 ft of an intersection. | call the building department | call the building department | City of Saline Fence Requirements (PDF) |
Need more detail on your area? Our city pages cover local fence styles and contacts: Ann Arbor, Brighton, Howell, Chelsea, Dexter, Pinckney, Whitmore Lake, Hamburg, Green Oak Twp and Gregory. See every community we cover on our service area page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to call MISS DIG 811 before installing a fence?
Yes. Michigan law requires a call to MISS DIG 811 (or a request at missdig811.org) before you dig, including fence post holes. Call at least three business days ahead, not counting weekends and holidays. Utility owners will mark their buried lines for free. The City of Saline fence requirements list this step too.
Do I need HOA approval for a fence?
If you live in a subdivision, condo or lake association, probably. City and township permits do not cover private deed restrictions. The City of Dexter fence application says it has no jurisdiction over master deed restrictions, and Saline asks condo owners for an HOA approval letter. Get written HOA approval before you apply for a permit.
Do I need a property line survey?
Often. The fence must sit entirely on your property in most communities, and many offices want a plot plan or survey with the application. The City of Dexter requires a survey sealed by a licensed surveyor or engineer. If your property irons are missing or the line is in question, a survey is the safest way to avoid a dispute with a neighbor.
Does Michigan Fence Repair pull the permit?
Ask us when you request your estimate. We are happy to help you gather the site plan, fence drawing and product photos most offices ask for.
Do repairs need a permit?
Usually routine repairs and replacing boards with like materials do not, but rules vary. Unadilla Township, for example, requires zoning compliance for "substantial rebuilding" but not general maintenance. Check with your office if you are replacing a large section. Learn more about our fence repair services.
Ready to Plan Your Fence?
Permits are just one step. When you are ready, Michigan Fence Repair can help with fence installation, privacy fences and fence repair across Livingston and Washtenaw County. Estimates are free and usually ready within 24 hours. Call (734) 719-0340 or request an estimate online.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Information comes from official city, village and township websites and may change. Michigan Fence Repair is not responsible for permit decisions; your local building or zoning office has the final say.