Do I need a permit for a fence in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Fort Lauderdale requires a permit for new fence installation, and most replacements that change height, material or location. We pull the permit on every job.
How tall can my fence be in Fort Lauderdale?
Front yards top out at 4′. Side and rear yards top out at 6′. Up to 8′ may be allowed along interior residential property lines abutting commercial, mixed-use or industrial properties. The exact answer depends on your lot.
How close can a fence be installed to the street?
Fences and walls must be at least 8′ back from the edge of pavement along a right-of-way — even when your property line is closer to the road. This applies to front yards, side streets and many corner properties.
What is the 8-foot distance from edge of pavement rule?
Fort Lauderdale requires 8′ of clearance between any fence or wall and the edge of pavement abutting a right-of-way. It keeps sightlines, drainage and maintenance access clear — and it overrides the property line.
What happens if my property is on a corner lot?
Corner lots have their own rules. The street frontage adjacent to your rear or side yard may allow a 6′ fence at the property line with approval and a 3′ landscape buffer in front. Sight-triangle visibility at the corner still has to be preserved.
What is a sight triangle?
A sight triangle is the visibility zone at an intersection or where a driveway meets a street. Fort Lauderdale limits opaque fences, walls and hedges within a sight triangle to 2.5′ in height so drivers, cyclists and pedestrians can see.
Can I install a full-height fence near a canal or waterway?
Within 10′ of the edge of a waterway, opaque fences, walls and hedges are limited to 2.5′ in height. Open-picket aluminum is a common solution — you keep the view and the yard.
What does the 10-foot waterway rule mean?
For residential properties abutting a waterway — the Intracoastal, New River, a canal or finger waterway — any opaque fence, wall or hedge within 10′ of the waterway edge can't exceed 2.5′ in height. Above 2.5′ you'll need open-picket or non-opaque construction.
Are new residential chain link fences allowed?
No — new chain link fences are not permitted on properties with residential zoning or use. Legally permitted existing chain link can be repaired. Commercial, utility and certain industrial situations may still be eligible.
Do I need HOA approval before applying for a permit?
If your property is in an HOA, yes — and we put together the architectural-review package with color chips, material samples and elevations your board can sign off on. We coordinate the HOA submission before the city submission so nothing gets bounced.
Why do I need a survey?
A recent survey is required to pull a fence permit. It establishes your property line, easements, rights-of-way, waterway edges and existing improvements — every input the city wants documented before approving a new fence.
What are the pool barrier requirements?
Florida pool barriers must be at least 48″ high with no openings a 4″ sphere can pass through, and gates must be self-closing and self-latching with latches placed out of small-child reach. Gate swing direction and hardware placement are inspected every time.
How long does permitting typically take?
It varies with Fort Lauderdale's queue, HOA review windows and whether the project needs revisions. Nikki gives you a realistic window up front and keeps you posted at each step rather than promising a date we can't hit.
