Do You Need a Fence Permit in Raleigh?

Short answer
Yes (zoning)

Raleigh requires a zoning permit to add or move a fence, or to replace 50% or more of one. Changing material, height or location needs a zoning permit even for a smaller replacement.

Source: Raleigh: Fences

A white picket fence in front of a green hedge
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Raleigh Fence Permits at a Glance

Permits, last 12 months
38
Issued, last 30 days
8
Median application to issue
41 days
Median declared job value
$175,000
Issuing office
City of Raleigh Permit and Development Services
Rule last checked
October 30, 2026

Permits Issued per Month

6 Nov 2 Dec 2 Jan 0 Feb 7 Mar 4 Apr 0 May 1 Jun 1 Jul 5 Aug 2 Sep 8 Oct
Raleigh fence permits issued per month, Nov 2025 to Oct 2026. Lighter bar = current month to date.

Counts are approximate: we match permit types and descriptions to fence work. Data from Raleigh Building Permits, refreshed October 30, 2026.

What Raleigh's Rules Say

  • Zoning permit for any new or moved fence.
  • Replacing 50% or more requires a permit.
  • Historic districts need a Certificate of Appropriateness.

Raleigh Fence Permit Fees

We have not verified Raleigh's fee for this work from an official fee schedule yet, so we don't quote one. The City of Raleigh Permit and Development Services sets the fee when you apply. For context, the median fee actually paid on these permits in the city's records was $401.

Busiest Areas for Fence Permits

ZIP codePermits (12 mo)
276049
276109
276075
276083
276093
276153

How to Get a Fence Permit in Raleigh

  1. Confirm the rule for your exact job on the official page cited above. Size, height, structure and location (historic district, floodplain) can change the answer.
  2. Choose who applies. Many permits here must be pulled by a licensed contractor; ask any contractor to name the license they will use.
  3. Apply with the City of Raleigh Permit and Development Services through the official department website.
  4. Schedule inspections as the permit requires, and keep the final approval with your house records.

Recent Raleigh Fence Permits

IssuedAddressWork
2026-10-147425 Yardly Village LnNew build to rent construction units 67 & 68 - General Contractor installs fences 7425 Yardly Villag
2026-10-127416 Yardly Village LnNew build to rent construction units 5 & 6 - General Contractor installs fences 7416 Yardly Village
2026-10-124209 Galax Dr18x40 inground pool, 1818 sf patio/walkway, deck to be removed, pool approved fence, retaining wall
2026-10-087422 Yardly Village LnNew build to rent construction units 7 & 8 - General Contractor installs fences 7422 Yardly Village
2026-10-057404 Yardly Village LnNew build to rent construction units 1 & 2 - General Contractor installs fences 7404 Yardly Village
2026-10-025313 Vinery LnNew build to rent construction units 69 & 70 - General Contractor installs fences 5313 Vinery Ln 560
2026-10-027410 Yardly Village LnNew build to rent construction units 3 & 4 - General Contractor installs fences 7410 Yardly Village
2026-10-017428 Yardly Village LnNew build to rent construction units 9 & 10 - General Contractor installs fences 7428 Yardly Village
2026-09-305301 Creedmoor RdDemolishing roughly 775 linear feet of wood privacy fence and installing the same linear footage in
2026-09-082306 Anderson DrProposed deck extension to existing deck, paver patio, and wood fence

Addresses and work descriptions as published by the city. Owner names and phone numbers are removed.

Raleigh Fence Contractors: Get Weekly Permit Lists

Contractors: get new permits for your trade and city every Monday. Join the waitlist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a fence permit in Raleigh?

Yes (zoning). Raleigh requires a zoning permit to add or move a fence, or to replace 50% or more of one. Changing material, height or location needs a zoning permit even for a smaller replacement.

How many fence permits does Raleigh issue?

Raleigh issued 38 permits matching fence work between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026, about 3 a month. The busiest month was Oct 2026 with 8.

How much does a fence permit cost in Raleigh?

We have not yet verified Raleigh's fee for this work from an official fee schedule, so we do not quote one. The fee is set by the City of Raleigh Permit and Development Services when you apply. In the city's own records, the median fee paid on these permits over the last 12 months was $401.

How long does it take to get a fence permit in Raleigh?

Based on the city's records, the median time from application to issue for these permits was 41 days over the last 12 months.

Who issues fence permits in Raleigh?

The City of Raleigh Permit and Development Services.

Related Permit Guides

Written and maintained by the Home Permit Guide Editorial TeamPlaceholder profile

Last updated

This is a placeholder editorial profile. A named reviewer with verifiable experience will be added here. Until then, every rule on this page links to the official government source it was checked against. Read our editorial policy.

Sources

Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.

  1. Raleigh: Fences (linked above) (raleighnc.gov)