FENCE RULES – CENTERTON (CITY), ARKANSAS
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Centerton, subject to local regulations. For properties located outside Centerton municipal limits, Benton County regulates fences in unincorporated areas.
Local fence rules appear across several Centerton materials rather than in one consolidated fence chapter. The main fence categories appear in Title 14 Zoning, which distinguishes boundary fences and hedges, privacy fences, swimming pool fences, and walls. Related rules appear in Title 11 Buildings and Construction, Title 15 Subdivision and Development Code, Title 16 Drainage and Flood, Title 10 Utilities, Title 9 Streets, Sidewalks and Driveways, Title 6 Animals and Fowl, and the city’s FAQ materials.
The central distinction is that a boundary fence or hedge is tied to placement on side and rear property lines or in front yards, while a privacy fence is a separate fence type that may be located within five feet of side and rear lot lines and is subject to a higher height limit.
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 City of Centerton Building Safety Department materials, Planning & Development Department materials, FAQ materials, Title 11 Buildings and Construction, Title 14 Zoning, Title 15 Subdivision and Development Code, Title 16 Drainage and Flood, Title 10 Utilities, Title 9 Streets, Sidewalks and Driveways, and Title 6 Animals and Fowl, as of May 2026.
GOVERNANCE
• Governing Authority: The City of Centerton regulates residential fences through its zoning, building, subdivision, drainage, floodplain, utility, street, animal-control, and public works provisions.
• Primary Fence Code: Title 14 Zoning defines the main fence categories: boundary fences and hedges, privacy fences, swimming pool fences and gates, and walls.
• Boundary Fence vs. Privacy Fence: A boundary fence or hedge is a fence or hedge located on side and rear property lines or in front yards, approximately parallel to the lot line. A privacy fence is any fence that is not a boundary fence or a swimming pool fence.
• Building Safety: The Building Safety Department administers building-related permits and inspections, including pool permits and construction-related permit processes.
• Planning and Development: The Planning Department administers zoning and land development codes, including subdivision, easement, right-of-way, development, and planning review processes.
• Public Works and Easements: Public works and utility-related rules may apply where fence work affects a right-of-way, easement, sidewalk, city utility, stormwater facility, or other public infrastructure.
• No Single Fence Chapter: The City of Centerton does not publish one standalone residential fence chapter. Fence rules must be read together from zoning definitions, FAQ guidance, sidewalk rules, easement and right-of-way provisions, floodplain rules, animal-control provisions, and pool-barrier standards.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Standard Fence Permit: The City of Centerton FAQ states that a permit is not needed to put up a fence.
• Privacy Fences Over 7 Feet: The city’s FAQ materials state that if a privacy fence is taller than 7 feet, approval is required. Privacy fences remain limited to a maximum height of 8 feet under Title 14 Zoning.
• Boundary Fences and Hedges: The code does not publish a separate permit requirement for a boundary fence or hedge, but boundary fences and hedges must meet the placement and height limits in Title 14 Zoning.
• Corner Lots: For a fence on a corner lot, the city FAQ directs property owners to contact city staff before installation so traffic visibility issues can be reviewed.
• Pool Barriers: In-ground swimming pools require pool permit review, and Chapter 11.40 Swimming Pools requires an approved pool barrier. Pool-barrier plans are part of the pool permit process.
• Floodplain Development: Title 16 Drainage and Flood defines fences as development for floodplain purposes. A Floodplain Development Permit is required for development in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and for new development within 100 feet of a Special Flood Hazard Area.
• Right-of-Way and Easement Work: A Public Works Right-Of-Way & Easement Work Permit is required before work in rights-of-way, exclusive utility easements, city property, or utility easements on private property when the work impacts city wet utilities, streets, or public rights-of-way.
• Planning and Site Conditions: The absence of a standard fence permit does not remove zoning, height, placement, sight-triangle, sidewalk, easement, floodplain, utility, or corner-lot visibility limitations that may apply to the property.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Boundary Fences and Hedges – On Lot Lines: A fence or hedge located on side or rear property lines is treated as a boundary fence or hedge. Boundary fences and hedges may also be located anywhere in front yards, approximately parallel to the lot line.
• Privacy Fences – Near Side and Rear Lot Lines: A privacy fence may be located within five feet of side and rear lot lines. The code does not state a separate minimum setback inside that five-foot area, but the fence must not be located on the property line if it is being treated as a privacy fence rather than a boundary fence.
• Privacy Fences – Front Yard Limit: Privacy fences may not be located anywhere in front yards.
• Privacy Fences – Side Yard Termination: Privacy fences must terminate along side yards at the front corner of the primary structure.
• Walls: Walls may be located within five feet of side and rear lot lines and anywhere in front yards, approximately parallel to the lot line.
• Sidewalk Separation: No fences, walls, or structures may be constructed within 2 feet of any sidewalk unless otherwise approved by the city.
• Sight Triangles: At intersections or curves, the zoning code defines a sight triangle beginning at the property corner and measuring at least 25 feet along the right-of-way in both directions. The clear visibility zone must remain free of visual obstructions, both natural and man-made, temporary or permanent, except traffic control devices.
• Corner Lots: Corner-lot fences are subject to city traffic-visibility review before installation under the city FAQ guidance.
• Easements: Recorded utility easements may include rights to prohibit buildings, structures, or fences within the easement and to remove or trim vegetation where needed for utility access, repair, or maintenance.
• Utility and Right-of-Way Areas: Fence work must not encroach into public rights-of-way, city utility areas, sidewalks, drainage facilities, or easements where city or utility access rights apply.
• Floodplain Areas: Fences in a Special Flood Hazard Area are treated as floodplain development under Title 16 Drainage and Flood and require floodplain review before installation.
• Utility Safety: Arkansas law requires notice through Arkansas 811 before excavation where the Arkansas Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act applies. For fence projects that involve digging, including fence post holes, notice may be required before excavation begins. Arkansas law also includes specific exemptions, including certain agricultural-purpose posthole digging on private property outside an operator right-of-way.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• Boundary Fences and Hedges – On Side and Rear Lot Lines: Boundary fences and hedges located on side and rear lot lines are limited to a maximum height of 5 feet.
• Boundary Fences and Hedges – Front Yards: Boundary fences and hedges located in front yards are limited to a maximum height of 3 1/2 feet.
• Privacy Fences – Near Side and Rear Lot Lines: Privacy fences may be located within five feet of side and rear lot lines and are limited to a maximum height of 8 feet.
• Privacy Fences Over 7 Feet: A privacy fence taller than 7 feet requires approval under the city’s FAQ materials.
• Walls – Side and Rear Lot Lines: Walls on side and rear lot lines are limited to a maximum height of 5 feet.
• Walls – Front Yards: Walls in front yards are limited to a maximum height of 3 feet.
• Pool Barriers: Chapter 11.40 Swimming Pools requires outdoor in-ground swimming pools to be surrounded by a barrier. The top of the barrier must be at least 48 inches above grade, and swimming pool fences and gates are required to be at least 4 feet and not more than 8 feet high.
• Sight Triangle Height Zone: The clear visibility zone begins at a point not greater than 2 1/2 feet above the top of curb or edge of pavement and extends to a point not less than 7 1/2 feet higher, for a total clear zone up to 10 feet high.
• Street Intersections: Landscaping, fences, and walls constructed near street intersections must stay clear of the required sight-distance triangle. Fences located within sight-distance triangles may be required to relocate.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Standard Fence Materials: The code does not specify permitted or prohibited materials for standard residential boundary fences or privacy fences.
• Walls: The zoning code defines walls as physical barriers with closed vertical surfaces that may be constructed of masonry, brick, concrete, metal, wood, or other similar materials.
• Pool Gates: Swimming pool gates must have child-resistant latches. Pedestrian access gates for pools must open outward away from the swimming pool and must be self-closing and self-latching.
• Pool Barriers: Pool barriers must not have openings that allow passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere.
• Barbed Wire, Razor Wire, and Electric Fences: The code does not publish a standard residential fence rule allowing or prohibiting barbed wire, razor wire, or electric fences for ordinary single-family residential fencing.
• Finished Side or Orientation: The code does not specify a finished-side or orientation requirement for standard residential fences.
• Animal Enclosures: Animal-control provisions require dogs to be confined by an adequate fence or enclosure, building, chain, or leash sufficient to prevent running at large. In the Residential Estates district, small livestock kept in conjunction with a residential dwelling must be properly fenced in or otherwise confined.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Private restrictions operate independently from City of Centerton fence rules.
• HOAs and Covenants: Subdivision covenants, HOA rules, architectural-review covenants, and deed restrictions may impose fence height, material, color, placement, or approval requirements that are more restrictive than city rules.
• Private Easements: Utility easements, drainage easements, access easements, and private maintenance agreements may limit where fences can be placed or may require access to remain open.
• Boundary Agreements: Private boundary agreements, agricultural agreements, or shared-fence arrangements may affect fence placement or maintenance responsibilities without changing city zoning standards.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Privacy fences taller than 7 feet that require approval under the city’s FAQ materials.
• Privacy fences placed in a front yard or extending beyond the front corner of the primary structure.
• Privacy fences located outside the code’s stated placement area of within five feet of side and rear lot lines.
• Boundary fences or hedges located on side or rear property lines and exceeding 5 feet.
• Boundary fences or hedges located in front yards and exceeding 3 1/2 feet.
• Walls exceeding 5 feet on side or rear lot lines or 3 feet in front yards.
• Corner-lot fences that may create traffic visibility issues.
• Fences, walls, landscaping, or other obstructions located within required sight triangles or clear visibility zones.
• Fences, walls, or structures located within 2 feet of a sidewalk without city approval.
• Fences in easements that interfere with utility access, repair, maintenance, or recorded easement rights.
• Fence work in rights-of-way, utility easements, city property, or utility easements on private property where a Public Works Right-Of-Way & Easement Work Permit is required.
• Fences in Special Flood Hazard Areas or within 100 feet of a Special Flood Hazard Area where floodplain development review applies.
• Pool barriers and pool gates that do not meet the barrier, height, opening, latch, self-closing, or self-latching requirements in Chapter 11.40 Swimming Pools.
• Animal enclosures that do not adequately confine dogs or livestock where animal-control or Residential Estates rules apply.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Centerton, based on publicly available materials reviewed as of May 2026.
In addition to local fence rules, certain Arkansas laws apply statewide. See Statewide Fence Laws in Arkansas.
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, floodplain status, historic district status, rural or agricultural context, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants or private agreements. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with the Building Safety Department, Planning Department, Public Works Department, or Floodplain Administrator, as applicable, and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Centerton staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.