FENCE RULES – RENO (CITY), NEVADA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Reno, subject to local regulations.
The Annexation and Land Development Code of the City of Reno, including RMC 18.04.809, contains the main local standards for fences and walls. Fence permitting is also addressed through Reno Municipal Code Title 14, Chapter 14.18, Fences, and through City of Reno Development Services permit guidance.
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 the Annexation and Land Development Code of the City of Reno, Reno Municipal Code Title 14, Chapter 14.18, Fences, the City of Reno Development Services pages, the City of Reno Planning FAQs, the Residential Fence Permit Guidelines, the Fences and Walls General Standards, and the City of Reno Code Enforcement page as of May 2026.
GOVERNANCE
• Governing Authority: The City of Reno regulates residential fences through the Reno Municipal Code and the Annexation and Land Development Code of the City of Reno.
• Primary Fence Standards: The main local fence and wall standards appear in RMC 18.04.809, Fences and Walls.
• Permit Administration: Fence permits and building-permit questions are administered through the City of Reno Development Services Department, including Building & Safety and Building Permits.
• Planning and Zoning Administration: Planning and zoning questions are handled through the City of Reno Development Services Department, Planning – Planner of the Day. Title 18 also assigns certain determinations and approvals to the Administrator.
• Code Enforcement: City of Reno Code Enforcement reviews Reno Municipal Code issues involving property maintenance, nuisance, zoning, permit, and similar code matters.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Fence Permit / Building Permit: City of Reno publishes an all-fence permit rule. Reno Municipal Code Title 14, Chapter 14.18 requires a permit before a person erects, constructs, alters, or extends any fence within the city. The City of Reno Planning FAQs state that a building permit is required for all fences.
• Permit Application Contents: Every fence permit application must describe the land where the work will occur and the nature of the proposed work. Residential fence plans must show fence location, length, height, material, gates, property lines, existing structures, easements, adjacent street speed limits, and adjacent stop or yield signs. Post embedment depth, footing type, and footing size are required when the fence is over 6 feet in height.
• Survey Information: The Residential Fence Permit Guidelines state that surveys are suggested but not required. More information may be required upon submittal.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with City of Reno Development Services Department, Planning – Planner of the Day before construction.
• Historic Resources: If a property is listed on the City Register or located within a local historic district, a Certificate of Appropriateness may be required before erecting, altering, moving, or partially demolishing an exterior feature, unless an exemption applies.
• Private Approval: The Residential Fence Permit Guidelines direct applicants to check with any Home Owners Association (HOA) to determine whether separate private approval is required.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Lot Lines: In residential, urban, and special purpose districts, walls or fences 6 feet or less in height may be erected on lot lines and extending in a generally perpendicular direction from lot lines to buildings, except in required front yards.
• Required Front Yards: Walls or fences 4 feet or less in height may be erected in the required front yard area.
• Non-Primary Front Yards: A fence not exceeding 6 feet may be built in a front yard that does not provide primary access if it is set back at least 5 feet from the sidewalk or planned sidewalk. The fence setback area must be landscaped.
• Primary Access Frontage: For the non-primary-front-yard rule, the primary access frontage is determined by the Administrator based on surrounding characteristics, including consistency with adjacent neighbor yard orientations.
• Alley Access: If primary access is provided from an alley, at least one front yard setback must be maintained without fencing over 4 feet in height.
• Through Lots: On through lots, the front yard is the yard adjacent to the street on which the property is addressed, and the rear yard is the yard opposite the front yard. Walls or fences 6 feet or less in height may be erected on the rear lot line, subject to visibility requirements.
• Rights-of-Way and Easements: Fences and walls must be located on private property or common areas. Fences and walls may not be placed in a City right-of-way or easement without written approval from the City Engineer. Fences and walls within City rights-of-way or easements also require written agreement with the adjacent property owner or applicable maintenance organization.
• Major Drainageways and Open Space: Walls or fences adjacent to major drainageways and open space areas must incorporate open fencing for any portion of the fence or wall that is more than 4 feet above grade. Chain link is not allowed in those locations except where specified.
• Water Supply Ditches: Property abutting or adjoining a water supply ditch must have 4 ½-foot or taller fencing, approved by the Administrator as reasonably non-climbable and safe, where the ditch constitutes a hazard to life, limb, and safety.
• Fire Hydrants: Fire hydrants must have 36 inches of clearance from the back and sides of the hydrant and 8 feet of clearance above.
• 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
• Required Front Yard Height: Walls or fences in the required front yard area may not exceed 4 feet in height.
• Lot-Line Height Outside Required Front Yards: Walls or fences 6 feet or less in height may be erected on lot lines and extending in a generally perpendicular direction from lot lines to buildings, except in required front yards.
• Non-Primary Front Yard Height: A fence not exceeding 6 feet may be built in a front yard not providing primary access if it is set back at least 5 feet from the sidewalk or planned sidewalk.
• Outside Setback Areas: Fences or walls proposed outside of a setback area are limited to 10 feet in height and are limited to side, rear, and secondary front yards.
• Fence Posts: In residential zoning districts, fence posts may extend up to 2 feet higher than the fence itself if the posts are at least 6 feet apart.
• Retaining Walls: Where a fence or wall is constructed on top of a retaining wall, the height of the fence or wall is measured from the top of the retaining wall.
• Arterial, Expressway, or Freeway Abutment: Where property abuts an arterial, expressway, or freeway, fences or walls exceeding 6 feet in height may be constructed on the property line between the property and the arterial, expressway, or freeway, subject to the visibility standards referenced in the code.
• Clear Vision Triangle: All fencing must maintain a clear vision triangle in accordance with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards.
• Flood Management Exception: Fencing or walls used to retain water for flood management and protection are exempt from the height requirements listed in Title 18.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Barbed Wire, Razor Ribbon, and Razor Tape: Barbed wire, razor ribbon, and razor tape fencing are prohibited except in UT zoning districts, in conjunction with a public detention or correctional facility, or unless exempted by Title 18.
• Razor Ribbon and Razor Tape Under Title 14: Reno Municipal Code Title 14, Chapter 14.18 separately prohibits razor ribbon or razor tape fencing except in conjunction with a jail or other public detention or correctional facility.
• Electric or Battery-Charged Fencing: Battery-charged or electric fencing is permitted only on property that is not designated for residential use, in Employment zoning districts, under the standards stated in Title 18. The code does not publish a residential allowance for electric or battery-charged fences on standard residential property.
• Chain Link Near Major Drainageways and Open Space: Chain link is not allowed for fences or walls adjacent to major drainageways and open space areas except where specified.
• Fence Material on Permit Plans: The Residential Fence Permit Guidelines require the fence material to be shown on residential fence plans.
• Finished Side and Opacity: The code does not specify a finished-side orientation requirement or a general residential opacity standard for standard residential fences.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
• Private Covenants: HOAs, covenants, deed restrictions, planned community standards, and private development documents operate independently from City fence regulations and may be more restrictive.
• HOA Review: The Residential Fence Permit Guidelines identify HOA review as a separate item to check when applicable.
• City Enforcement of Private Agreements: The Annexation and Land Development Code of the City of Reno states that the City is not responsible for monitoring or enforcing private agreements or restrictions. Where Title 18 imposes a greater restriction than a private agreement, Title 18 governs.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Permit Review: Erecting, constructing, altering, or extending a fence without the required City permit.
• Permit Consistency: Constructing a fence in a manner different from the approved permit or failing to complete required permit and inspection steps.
• Plan Review Details: Missing or inconsistent information about fence height, material, location, gates, easements, property lines, nearby traffic controls, fire hydrant clearance, or post and footing details for fences over 6 feet.
• Front Yard Limits: Fences over 4 feet in a required front yard.
• Non-Primary Front Yard Limits: Fences over 6 feet in a non-primary front yard, or fences that do not meet the required 5-foot sidewalk or planned-sidewalk setback.
• Alley Access Lots: Properties with alley primary access that do not maintain one front yard setback without fencing over 4 feet.
• Visibility: Fences that do not maintain the required clear vision triangle.
• Rights-of-Way and Easements: Fences or walls located in a City right-of-way or easement without the required written approval and agreement.
• Drainage and Open Space: Fences adjacent to major drainageways or open space areas that do not provide required open fencing for portions over 4 feet above grade.
• Water Supply Ditches: Properties abutting hazardous water supply ditches without the required 4 ½-foot or taller approved fencing.
• Prohibited Materials: Use of barbed wire, razor ribbon, razor tape, electric fencing, battery-charged fencing, or chain link where prohibited or not allowed for the property context.
• Historic Properties: Exterior-feature work on property listed on the City Register or located in a local historic district without any required Certificate of Appropriateness.
• Complaint-Based Review: City of Reno Code Enforcement may review reported Reno Municipal Code issues through complaint intake, research, field inspection, and applicable code enforcement procedures.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Reno, 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 City of Reno Development Services Department and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Reno staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.