Permit Required? Required (over 7 ft)
Typical Fee Range $85–$150 A $83.50 base fee applies for projects under $2,000, plus a state surcharge.
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development →

What's Required in Minneapolis

  • Permit required for any fence exceeding 7 feet in height
  • Maximum height in front yards is 4 feet
  • Maximum height in side and rear yards is typically 6 feet
  • Fences abutting navigable lakes or channels are limited to 4 feet in height
  • Supports must be placed on the owner's property with the finished side facing out
  • Site plan showing property lines and proposed location is required for permitted fences

How Tall Can a Fence Be Without a Permit in Minneapolis?

In Minneapolis, the number that matters is 7 feet: a fence taller than that needs a permit from the City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development, while anything at or under it can usually go up without one. Front yards are stricter, capped at 4 feet. Zoning separately caps rear- and side-yard heights at 6 feet. Even a permit-free fence still has to respect setbacks and corner sight-line rules, so check placement before you dig post holes.

Do You Need a Permit to Build a Fence in Minneapolis?

For a typical backyard fence at or under 7 feet, no — you can skip the building permit in Minneapolis. Go taller and you'll file with the City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development, with permit fees typically in the $85–$150 range. Two cautions before you skip the paperwork: zoning rules (height caps, setbacks, corner visibility) apply to every fence, permitted or not, and HOA or deed rules stack on top of city code. When your plan sits close to the line, a quick call to the department beats rebuilding a fence later.

How to Get a Fence Permit in Minneapolis

1

Step 1: Application Submittal

Submit a building permit application online to trigger a ProjectDox invitation.

2

Step 2: ProjectDox Upload

Log into ProjectDox to upload your site plan and scale drawings.

3

Step 3: Intake Review

A development coordinator verifies the submission is complete.

4

Step 4: Fee Payment

Pay the $83.50 minimum fee plus plan review (if applicable) once approved.

5

Step 5: Inspection

Schedule a final inspection to verify height and property line setbacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only if the fence is taller than 7 feet.
Standard limits are 4 feet in the front yard and 6 feet in the back.
The 2026 base fee for residential construction under $2,000 is $83.50.