Do You Need Planning Permission to Erect a Fence in Minneapolis?

Whenever the time comes to start a new home-improvement job, one of the first questions you need to ask is whether you need a permit from the city before you get the work started. 

So if you’re thinking of installing a new fence on or around your property, you need to ask the same question.

Do you need a permit before erecting a new fence?

The short answer: It depends. 

Why Does It Depend?

Whether you need a permit to erect a fence depends on your local ordinances. 

America, as a nation, is made up of one government, but it’s divided into fifty states, each of which delegates certain decisions to local authorities. While one county may allow total freedom in this area, another may require residents to alert local officials and wait for approval and permits.

Here’s what our friends over at HGTV have to say about this matter:

In densely populated neighborhoods, your fence is subject to ordinances that take your neighborhood’s design guidelines and public safety into consideration. If you’re a farmer, or you live in a rural area, the odds are good that you’ll be able to build whatever you want. If that’s your situation, it’s still a good idea to consult some building codes to make sure that what you’re building is structurally safe and strong.  

That means before you start your project, you should check with your local authorities to see what regulations in your area apply to your project.

If You Live in the Twin Cities

While people from all over the world visit our blog and read these posts, as a local company here in Minneapolis, we’re aware that most of our clients live in the Twin Cities. What matters to them is not what happens out in the countryside in another state but what our local government has to say.

When it comes to building a fence in Minneapolis, whether you need a permit depends mainly on the height of the fence.   Fences under seven feet in height do not require a permit, while fences over seven feet do. With the taller fences, you’ll also be required to have a zoning check, submit a site plan, have your construction plans reviewed, and undergo an official inspection.

The good news is that no matter the size of the fence, you have the option to install the fence yourself or work with a contractor.

Even better, if you hire a contractor, you will not need to worry about the paperwork. As a matter of course, contractors generally take care of obtaining proper permits on your behalf.  

Should You Work with a Contractor?

We don’t want to make your decisions for you, but if you’re debating whether to install your new fence yourself or hire a contractor to take the project off your hands, here are a few questions to consider.

• Do I actually want to do this myself?
• Do I have any helpful experience in this area?
• Am I in a position to devote my time, attention, and energy to this project?
• How high are the chances that I might run into trouble and need outside help mid-project?
• Will having someone take care of it quickly be more cost-efficient than what I would “save” by investing my own time and energies in the project?

We’re Here for You

Here at Security Fence and Construction, we are here to help meet your fencing needs. If you live in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the Twin Cities area, we’re especially here for you.

To hear more about our quality products and premium services, or to discuss fence permitting in more detail, feel free to contact us at any time.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!