What's Required in Kansas City
- Fences of any size need no building permit in Kansas City, Missouri (KCBRC 18-16(b)(1)e).
- No fence or wall over 6 feet may be built on a residential lot (Sec. 27-10(a)).
- Front yard fences are limited to 48 inches, and on corner lots the street side yard is limited to 48 inches too.
- Fences along boulevards and parkways must also meet the zoning code's boulevard and parkway standards.
- Fences may not encroach on the public right-of-way and must be kept structurally sound.
- Electric fences are not permitted on residentially zoned property, and barbed wire fences there are a nuisance.
- Retaining walls over 4 feet, or that carry a surcharge or abut a right-of-way, need a building permit.
- A fence enclosing a pool deeper than 2 feet must be at least 4 feet tall with self-closing, lockable gates.
Do You Need a Permit to Build a Fence in Kansas City?
No. Section 18-16(b)(1)e of the Kansas City Building and Rehabilitation Code lists fences, with no size limit, among the work that needs no building permit, and Information Bulletin 129 repeats it. There is no separate fence or zoning permit to file either. This page covers Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO). Kansas City, Kansas, across the state line, is a separate city with its own permit office and rules.
What you cannot skip is Chapter 27, the city's Fences and Walls code, which applies to every fence built after March 20, 2000 whether or not a permit is involved. Violations carry a fine, and each day a non-compliant fence stays up is a separate offense.
Kansas City Fence Rules by Scenario
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Side or rear yard fence up to 6 ft | None | KCBRC 18-16(b)(1)e; Sec. 27-10(a) |
| Front yard fence up to 48 in | None | Sec. 27-10(b) |
| Corner lot: front or street side yard fence up to 48 in | None | Sec. 27-10(d) |
| Fence over 6 ft, or over 48 in in a front yard | Special exception from the BZA ($174 filing fee) | Sec. 27-11 |
| Fence within 150 ft of a boulevard or parkway | No permit; boulevard standards apply | Sec. 27-10(f); Zoning 88-323 |
| Retaining wall over 4 ft, surcharged, or next to a public right-of-way | Building permit | KCBRC 18-16(b)(1)d |
| Electric or barbed wire fence on a residential lot | Not allowed | IB129; Sec. 48-43 |
How Tall Can a Fence Be in Kansas City?
Section 27-10 sets three limits for residential lots. No fence or wall may be over 6 feet anywhere on the lot. In the front yard, the space between the front wall of the house (extended to the side lot lines) and the street, the limit is 48 inches. On a corner lot the 48-inch limit applies to both the front yard and the side yard facing the street. IB129 sums it up as 4 feet in front and street side yards, 6 feet on the side and rear. Vacant lots follow the same front-yard limit, measured from the platted or established building line. Fences along the city's boulevards and parkways must also meet the boulevard standards in the zoning code, which apply within 150 feet of a boulevard or parkway on the Major Street Plan; ask Code Questions (816-513-1511) which ones reach your lot.
Fences may not encroach on the public right-of-way and must be kept structurally sound, with posts that do not wobble. Electric fences are not permitted on residentially zoned property, and barbed wire fences in residential zones are declared a nuisance.
How Much Does a Fence Permit Cost in Kansas City?
Nothing, because there is no permit. The only city fee is for relief: Section 27-11 lets the Board of Zoning Adjustment grant a special exception to the height limits, and the code sets the filing fee at $174. The code also lets the city manager adjust that fee for inflation, and the editor's note says the listed amount reflects fees as of April 2013, so confirm the current fee before you file. Neighbors next to your lot are mailed notice 13 days before the hearing, and the board weighs whether the fence fits the neighborhood and matches the house in materials, color and design.
Pool Fences Are Different
If the fence encloses a pool more than 2 feet deep, zoning requires it to be at least 4 feet tall with self-closing, lockable gates. The pool itself needs a permit, and the barrier is reviewed with it.
How to Get a Fence Permit in Kansas City
Find your lot lines
Use your mortgage survey or plat to locate property lines and easements so the fence stays off the right-of-way.
Check which yard it is in
Front yard and corner-lot street side yards are limited to 48 inches; side and rear yards to 6 feet.
Check for a boulevard or parkway
If your lot is within 150 ft of a boulevard or parkway, ask Code Questions at 816-513-1511 which boulevard standards apply.
Seek a special exception if needed
To go taller, apply to the Board of Zoning Adjustment under Section 27-11; the code lists a $174 filing fee and requires mailed notice to neighbors.
Build to the code
No permit or inspection is required, but the fence must meet Chapter 27 for as long as it stands.