FENCE RULES – FARMINGTON (CITY), ARKANSAS
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Farmington, subject to local regulations. For properties located outside Farmington municipal limits, Washington County regulates fences in unincorporated areas.
Local fence rules appear across the Farmington Municipal Code, including the Zoning Ordinance, Landscape Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Building and Construction provisions, floodplain and stormwater provisions, right-of-way obstruction rules, and animal-control regulations. Building permit administration is also described in the City’s Building Permits and Code Enforcement materials.
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 Farmington Municipal Code, City of Farmington Building Permits and Code Enforcement materials, City Frequently Asked Questions, City Planning Commission materials, Applications / Permits / Planning Ordinances materials, and City Permit Application as of May 2026.
GOVERNANCE
• Governing Authority: The City of Farmington regulates land use, development, building code administration, floodplain review, right-of-way use, and code enforcement through the Farmington Municipal Code and city administrative departments.
• Building Official: Building permits, trade permits, sign permits, certificates of occupancy, demolition permits, and residential and commercial construction inspections are administered by the City Building Official.
• Planning Commission: The Farmington Planning Commission administers property development and land-use review, including zoning, plats, lot splits, large-scale development, conditional use, grading, vacation, and variance or waiver processes.
• Code Enforcement: Code enforcement is handled through City Hall and the Code Enforcement Officer for property-maintenance and nuisance-related complaints.
• No Consolidated Fence Code: The City of Farmington does not publish a single standalone residential fence chapter. Fence rules appear mainly in the Landscape Ordinance, residential zoning and setback provisions, right-of-way obstruction rules, subdivision definitions and easement provisions, animal-control and livestock provisions, floodplain and building provisions, and permit materials.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Local Fence Permit: The City of Farmington does not publish a separate local fence permit application or a local rule requiring a permit for every standard residential fence.
• Building Permit: Because the City of Farmington administers residential building permits under state-adopted building codes, and no stricter local fence permit trigger is published, Arkansas building code exempts fences not over seven feet from requiring building permits.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with Farmington Planning Commission before construction.
• Street-Frontage Fence Review: The Landscape Ordinance states that residential fencing adjacent to street frontage must meet City Building Setback Requirements.
• Pool Projects: The City Permit Application includes Pool as a permit category, but the code does not specify a private single-family pool fence or pool-barrier standard.
• Floodplain, Grading, and Site Work: Floodplain construction, substantial improvements, grading, stormwater work, and drainage work are administered under separate City code provisions and adopted manuals. The code does not publish a fence-only floodplain permit trigger or a standard residential fence grading permit trigger.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Property Lines: The Landscape Ordinance states that fences, walls, and hedges may be located at residential development entryways and/or along property lines. 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.
• Street Frontage: Residential fencing adjacent to street frontage must meet City Building Setback Requirements.
• Residential Development Entryways: Fences, walls, and hedges are addressed in the Landscape Ordinance for residential development entryways and property-line contexts. Entryway sight-triangle distance must be sized to protect pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety.
• Rights-of-Way: City code prohibits obstructing a right-of-way by placing a fence or other listed obstruction in a way that obstructs free and easy passage.
• Easements and Drainage: Subdivision regulations require utility and surface-drainage easements at least 25 feet wide centered along rear lot lines and side lot lines where needed. Larger easements may be required for major utility lines, unusual terrain, or drainage conditions. The code does not specify a standard residential fence setback from drainage easements.
• Floodplain and Grading: Floodplain construction, substantial improvements, grading, stormwater, and drainage work are administered separately. The code does not publish a standard residential fence setback from floodplain or drainage features.
• 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
• Maximum Fence Height: The code does not specify a maximum height for standard residential fences.
• Building Permit Height Trigger: Under Arkansas state-adopted building codes, fences not over seven feet are exempt from requiring building permits.
• Subdivision Yard Context: Subdivision definitions recognize fences, fence walls, poles, posts, and customary yard accessories as items that may be permitted in yards, subject to height and visibility limitations. The code does not publish a numeric standard residential fence visibility limit.
• Residential Development Entryways: For residential development landscaped entryways, the sight-triangle distance at the intersection of a public street and residential development entryway must be sized to protect pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety. The code does not specify a numeric residential entryway sight-triangle distance.
• Landscape Visibility: Landscape rules require landscaping to be designed with public safety in mind and not to interfere with motorist or pedestrian visibility and safety.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Residential Development Materials: In the residential development entryway and property-line fence context, fencing may consist of masonry, brick, rock, stucco, wrought iron, wood, or any combination of those materials.
• Barbed Wire and Wire Fencing: Barbed wire and other wire fencing are prohibited in residential developments unless the barbed wire or other wire fencing is used by adjoining property owners to contain livestock.
• Public Safety: Fencing must be used or installed in a manner that does not cause injury to the general public.
• Livestock Fencing: In A-1 Agriculture, RE-1 Residential Estate, and RE-2 Residential Estate districts, livestock fencing must be constructed so livestock cannot reach legs, necks, wings, or other body parts onto a neighbor’s property or to shrubs or plants growing onto a neighbor’s property. Livestock fencing must secure livestock and be maintained in good condition.
• Animal Enclosures: The animal-control regulations define an enclosure as a fence, pen, or structure strong enough to contain the specific animal and prevent escape. Dogs kept outside must be confined so that the animal does not intrude onto public or private property.
• Chain Link and Wire Fencing: The residential-development fence rule does not list chain link by name. It prohibits barbed wire and other wire fencing in residential developments except for livestock containment by adjoining property owners.
• Finished Side and Electric Fences: The code does not specify a finished-side orientation rule for standard residential fences and does not publish a general standard-residential electric-fence rule.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
• Private Rules: HOAs, subdivision covenants, deed restrictions, private easements, agricultural agreements, architectural-review covenants, and private boundary agreements operate independently and may be more restrictive than City rules.
• City Role: The Zoning Ordinance states that the City of Farmington is not responsible for enforcing deed restrictions or restrictive covenants.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Street-Front Setback Review: Residential fencing adjacent to street frontage is reviewed against City Building Setback Requirements when the Landscape Ordinance applies.
• Residential Development Entryway Review: Entryway fences, walls, hedges, and sight-triangle sizing are reviewed in the residential development landscape-entryway context.
• Right-of-Way Obstructions: Fences located in or obstructing a right-of-way are reviewed under the right-of-way obstruction rule.
• Easements and Drainage: Fence conflicts with utility easements, surface-drainage easements, subdivision plat conditions, grading, stormwater, or floodplain controls are reviewed through the applicable subdivision, stormwater, drainage, or floodplain process.
• Livestock and Animal Control: Fences that contain livestock or animals are reviewed under animal-control rules for secure containment, livestock intrusion, and maintenance.
• Property Maintenance: Property-maintenance complaints may involve weeds or grass, unsightly conditions, inoperable vehicles, drainage or ditch maintenance, or other conditions identified by City code or City Hall code enforcement processes.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Farmington, 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 City of Farmington Building Official and Farmington Planning Commission and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Farmington staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.