FENCE RULES – WHITE PINE (COUNTY), NEVADA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within White Pine County, subject to local regulations.
This page applies to properties in the unincorporated areas of White Pine County; incorporated municipalities regulate fences under their own ordinances.
White Pine County regulates residential fence height and placement through White Pine County Code Title 17, especially Chapter 17.12, General Provisions, which includes standards for fences, walls, and hedges in required yards and corner-lot visibility areas. The County does not publish a separate consolidated residential fence packet.
This page focuses on typical single-family residential fencing. If the jurisdiction’s adopted materials do not state a specific limit or requirement, this page notes that the code does not specify one.
Compiled From White Pine County Code, White Pine County Building Department materials, White Pine County Building FAQ, Building Permit Procedures & Applications, and Building Code & Design Criteria Information, as of May 2026.
GOVERNANCE
White Pine County regulates fences in unincorporated areas through White Pine County Code Title 17, administered through the County’s zoning and planning framework.
Key governing authorities and sources referenced for residential fences include:
• White Pine County Code Title 17: The County’s zoning title, including Chapter 17.12, General Provisions, where the fence, wall, and hedge standards appear.
• White Pine County Building and Planning Department: The office identified in County materials for building permit applications, special use permit applications, variance applications, and related planning administration.
• White Pine County Building Department: The County department responsible for issuing permits for and inspecting residential and commercial construction projects in the unincorporated areas of the County.
• Regional Planning Commission: The planning body established for White Pine County and the City of Ely, with zoning jurisdiction for County planning matters outside the corporate boundaries of the City of Ely.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit: White Pine County does not publish a specific building permit requirement or exemption for standard residential fences.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with White Pine County Building and Planning Department before construction.
• Variance or Special Approval: Applications for special use permits and variances are filed with the building and planning department. Approval is a decision of the White Pine County Commission following a public hearing.
• Fence-Specific Approval Trigger: The County’s published fence section does not state a separate zoning permit requirement for standard residential fences that comply with the fence, wall, and hedge standards.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Required Yards: Fences, walls, and hedges may be located in required yards if they comply with the height limits in Chapter 17.12.080.
• Any Yard or Court: Fences, walls, and hedges not exceeding 4 feet in height may be located in any yard or court.
• Rear and Side Yards: Fences, walls, and hedges not exceeding 6 feet in height may be located in any required rear yard or side yard.
• Corner-Lot Exterior Side Yard: On a corner lot where the rear abuts the front yard of another lot in an R district, a fence, wall, or hedge may not exceed 4 feet in height in the exterior side yard.
• Property Lines and Encroachments: The ordinance does not state a setback requirement for standard residential fences from property lines; however, fences must be located entirely on the owner’s property and must not encroach into rights-of-way or easements.
• Utility Safety: Nevada law requires underground utility notification through Nevada 811 before excavation. For fence projects that involve digging, including fence post holes, notice must be provided before excavation begins.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• Maximum Height in Any Yard or Court: Fences, walls, and hedges may be located in any yard or court if they do not exceed 4 feet in height.
• Maximum Height in Required Rear or Side Yards: Fences, walls, and hedges may be located in any required rear yard or side yard if they do not exceed 6 feet in height.
• Corner-Lot Exterior Side Yard Limit: On a corner lot where the rear abuts the front yard of another lot in an R district, a fence, wall, or hedge in the exterior side yard may not exceed 4 feet in height.
• Corner-Lot Visibility Area: On any corner lot in an R district, no structure, fence, shrubbery, or obstruction to vision more than 3.5 feet high may be located within 25 feet of the intersection of any two street curb lines.
• Shade Tree Exception: Shade trees may be maintained in the corner visibility area if they are high enough to permit sight distance from one street to the other under the lowest branches of foliage.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Fence Materials: The code does not specify permitted or prohibited materials for standard residential fences.
• Finished Side Orientation: The code does not specify a finished-side orientation requirement for standard residential fences.
• Chain Link, Wood, Vinyl, and Masonry: The code does not specify separate residential standards for chain link, wood, vinyl, or masonry fences.
• Barbed Wire, Razor Wire, and Electric Fences: The code does not specify residential restrictions for barbed wire, razor wire, electric fences, or battery-charged fences in the local fence section reviewed for this page.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Private restrictions, including HOA covenants, recorded declarations, deed restrictions, private development standards, and planned community documents, may impose fence limits that are more restrictive than White Pine County requirements and are enforced independently of the County.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Fence, wall, or hedge height above 4 feet in a yard or court where the lower yard-wide limit applies.
• Fence, wall, or hedge height above 6 feet in a required rear yard or side yard.
• A fence, wall, or hedge above 4 feet in an exterior side yard on a corner lot where the rear abuts the front yard of another lot in an R district.
• A structure, fence, shrubbery, or obstruction to vision more than 3.5 feet high within 25 feet of intersecting street curb lines on a corner lot in an R district.
• Requests for a variance or special approval filed with the building and planning department and decided by the White Pine County Commission following a public hearing.
• Fence placement that creates a right-of-way, easement, or property-boundary conflict.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within White Pine County, based on publicly available ordinances and department guidance current as of May 2026.
In addition to local fence rules, certain Nevada laws apply statewide. See Statewide Fence Laws in Nevada.
It is not legal advice and does not replace official ordinances, permits, surveys, or professional guidance. Rules and interpretations may change, and application may vary based on zoning district, site conditions, easements, rights-of-way, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with White Pine County Building and Planning Department and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from White Pine County staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.