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Fence / Wall / Retaining Wall Permit in Chandler, Arizona

In Chandler, fences not over 7 feet high do not require a building permit but all fences and walls require zoning clearance regardless of height. A building permit is required for fences over 7 feet high (prior Planning approval also required), retaining walls over 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top) unless supporting surcharge, and fences placed on top of retaining walls. Front yard maximum fence height is 3 feet; rear and side yard maximum is 7 feet. All fences must be maintained at least 3 feet from fire hydrants or utilities. 4-inch-thick masonry walls are not an approved system for retaining walls.

Verified 2026-07-16 · Source

When you need this permit

  • No building permit required for fences not over 7 feet high (Homeowner's Building Permit Manual, 'Work Exempt from Permit,' item 2)
  • All fences and walls require zoning clearance regardless of height — call the Planner of the Day at 480-782-3050
  • Building permit (and prior Planning approval) required: fences over 7 feet high; retaining walls over 4 feet in height (bottom of footing to top) that retain earth; fences placed on top of retaining walls
  • Retaining walls not over 4 feet (bottom of footing to top) that do not support surcharge do NOT require a permit
  • Maximum fence height: 7 feet in rear and side yards; 3 feet in front yards
  • All fences must be at least 3 feet from fire hydrants or utilities
  • Corner lot fences must not pose a safety hazard to pedestrians or drivers; see City of Chandler Street Standards C-246 to C-248 for required clearances
  • If a pool fence is being replaced, the pool area must remain secured during construction
  • 4-inch-thick masonry/CMU walls are not an approved system for use as retaining walls
  • Contact Arizona Blue Stake (811) at least two days before digging

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Fence / retaining wall permit — valuation-based fee tableCity of Chandler Fee Schedule §4.6.1 (Res. 4703). Valuation = all construction costs.
Per valuation-based fee table (§4.6.1): $1.00–$500 = $50.00; $501–$2,000 = $50.00 plus $1.20 per additional $100; $2,001–$25,000 = $68.00 plus $12.50 per additional $1,000. Most residential fences fall in the lower valuation tiers.

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Chandler building department
~1–10 business days

How long did your Fence / Wall / Retaining Wall Permit permit actually take in Chandler?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Final inspection (for permitted fences/retaining walls)

    Fence or retaining wall completed per approved plans and city codes.

See the full Chandler inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Fences not over 7 feet high do NOT need a building permit in Chandler — but all fences require zoning clearance regardless of height.
  • Retaining walls not over 4 feet (bottom of footing to top) that do not support surcharge do NOT require a permit.
  • Fences over 7 feet require both a building permit AND prior Planning Department approval.
  • Maximum fence heights: 7 feet in rear/side yards; 3 feet in front yards.
  • Call Arizona Blue Stake (811) at least two business days before any digging.

Frequently asked questions

A building permit is NOT required for fences not over 7 feet high. However, all fences and walls require zoning clearance regardless of height — call the Planner of the Day at 480-782-3050. A permit IS required for fences over 7 feet (prior Planning approval also required), retaining walls over 4 feet tall, and fences on top of retaining walls. Maximum fence height is 7 feet in rear/side yards and 3 feet in front yards. Source: City of Chandler Homeowner's Building Permit Manual (Rev. 4/09/26), Fences and Walls section.

In Chandler, the published Fence / retaining wall permit — valuation-based fee table is: Per valuation-based fee table (§4.6.1): $1.00–$500 = $50.00; $501–$2,000 = $50.00 plus $1.20 per additional $100; $2,001–$25,000 = $68.00 plus $12.50 per additional $1,000. Most residential fences fall in the lower valuation tiers.. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for a fence / wall / retaining wall permit in Chandler typically runs 1–10 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Chandler Development Services Department — Building Safety at 480-782-3000.

Depending on your project, Chandler may also ask for: Building Permit Application (for permitted fences/walls); Plot Plan / Site Plan. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Chandler requires 1 inspection(s) for a fence / wall / retaining wall permit, in order: Final inspection (for permitted fences/retaining walls). Schedule each through City of Chandler Development Services Department — Building Safety (480-782-3000).

Apply through City of Chandler Development Services Department — Building Safety at 215 E. Buffalo St., Chandler, AZ 85225. Phone: 480-782-3000, email: prod@chandleraz.gov. Office hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, except holidays; Walk-in plan review: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Official information: https://www.chandleraz.gov/government/departments/development-services/building-safety-plan-review-permits-and-inspections.

Chandler, Arizona has adopted: 2024 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted by Chandler City Council, Ordinance No. 5108; effective for plans submitted on or after July 1, 2025; Chandler amendments published in City Code Chapter 29, Article II (Ordinance No. 5108); 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article VI); effective July 1, 2025; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article III); effective July 1, 2025; Chandler's 2024 code set retains the 2023 NEC edition (not the 2024 NEC); 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article IV); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article V); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article VII); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article VIII); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article IX); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article X); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 28); effective July 1, 2025. Local amendments apply — see the Chandler overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-16.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Chandler building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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Fence / Wall / Retaining Wall Permit in other cities

City of St. Johns, ArizonaColorado City, ArizonaGila Bend, ArizonaGilbert, ArizonaHolbrook, ArizonaLitchfield Park, ArizonaMesa, ArizonaPeoria, Arizona

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