Do I need a permit to install a fence?

Most US cities require a permit for fences over 6 feet tall or fences in front-yard areas. Permits typically run $50–$300 and require a site sketch showing the property line and proposed fence path. HOA approval is required in roughly 25% of US neighborhoods — secure that in writing BEFORE buying materials, since HOA rules often restrict material, color, or height beyond what the city allows. The single most common fence-permit mistake: building 6 inches over your property line. A pre-fence survey ($300–$800) is cheap insurance against tear-down disputes with neighbors.