Fence Rules by Town: Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Garner, and More
Searching “Wake County fence rules” is a common mistake. Wake County is made up of many municipalities, and each one writes its own regulations. A fence that is fine in Holly Springs may need a permit in Raleigh. Use this page to see how the differences tend to look, then confirm with your town.
Quick comparison
| Town | Permit | Front yard | Side or rear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | Zoning permit for fence installation, with a 50% replacement rule | Up to 6.5 ft, open design above 4 ft | Up to 8 ft |
| Cary | Most residential fences exempt; permit if over 42 in near a thoroughfare or collector | See town page | Up to 8 ft allowed to the property line, per the town |
| Apex | Confirm with the town | 48 in cap in the front yard, per its UDO | Freestanding fences max 7 ft, per its UDO |
| Garner | Zoning Compliance Permit for certain residential fences | 4 ft | Solid up to 6 ft; over 6 ft needs a variance |
| Holly Springs | Generally no permit for fences, with exceptions | 4 ft | 6 ft |
| Wake Forest | A permit page lists a fee; applies mainly with easements or corner lots | 4 ft; solid not allowed in front | See town page |
These summaries are drawn from each jurisdiction’s published rules and may be shortened. They are a starting point for a phone call, not a replacement for one.
Differences that surprise people
- A permit in one town, none in the next. Cary’s threshold is tied to height and distance from major roads, while Raleigh’s is tied to installing or substantially changing a fence.
- Different front yard caps. Apex, Garner, Holly Springs, and Wake Forest each point to about 4 feet in front, while Raleigh allows up to 6.5 feet with open design above 4 feet.
- Variance for tall solid fences. Garner says a solid fence over 6 feet needs a Board of Adjustment variance.
- Neighborhood covenants. Holly Springs tells owners to follow their restrictive covenants. Your HOA is separate from any town, see property lines, easements, and HOAs.
- Easements everywhere. Several towns bar fences in public or utility easements.
Towns we could not confirm
For Knightdale, Wendell, and Fuquay-Varina, call the planning office. Knightdale permits are handled through the Wake County permit portal, but that does not tell you what the town’s height rules are.
Raleigh details
For Raleigh specifics, see the permit guide and the height rules.
Need a local fence installer who knows your town? Call (984) 363-2979 or send a request below.