Palm Coast fence rules and permits

Palm Coast is one of the few cities around where a residential fence doesn't need a permit. The rules didn't go away, though, and since nobody reviews the plan first, getting them right is up to you.

No permit, but an acknowledgment

The city says a permit is no longer required to install a fence, but the property owner must acknowledge the Land Development Code before installing. HOA or architectural rules may be stricter, and you must get their approval. The city recommends a survey to confirm where the fence goes.

Height and placement

• Front yard: fences can't extend past the front facade of the house. Only AGR, EST-1 and EST-2 properties may have a front-yard fence.
• Side and rear: up to 6 feet behind the nearest front facade, unless the code or the Land Use Administrator says otherwise.
• Street side yard (EST districts): 4 feet maximum.
• Near saltwater: within 20 feet, 4 feet, or 6 feet for an open fence.
• Measuring: from finished grade; the grade can't be raised to gain height. Decorative columns may go 12 inches higher.

Materials

• Customary fencing materials and finishes; treated lumber can be unfinished; decorative aluminum allowed.
• Rot-resistant material wherever the fence touches the ground.
• No chain link or plain aluminum in yards fronting arterial or collector roads.
• No barbed wire, razor wire, electric fences, broken glass, spikes or other sharp tops.
• No chicken wire or field fence except for bona fide agriculture on AGR and EST-2 lots.

Drainage and easements

• Fences can't interfere with drainage, and must stay on the owner's side of the top of bank of a ditch or canal.
• Dumping material, dirt or sod into a ditch, swale or canal is prohibited.
• A fence may sit in a utility easement if it doesn't interfere with utilities, but the utility can remove it and the owner pays to replace it.
• Keep fences at least three feet behind the PEP panel.

Zoning questions go to the city's Zoning Division (386-986-3751); ditch placement questions go to Engineering/Stormwater (386-986-4750).

State rules still apply

Florida's pool barrier statute (515.29) applies to pool fences, and post holes need a Sunshine 811 ticket two full business days ahead, since a homeowner may dig only 10 inches without notice.