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 2026-06-29 · 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
- Opt
Building Permit Application (for permitted fences/walls)
Chandler permit application; required for fences over 7 feet or retaining walls over 4 feet
- Opt
Plot Plan / Site Plan
Showing fence/wall location, property lines, and distances; required for permitted fences and walls
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fence / retaining wall permit — valuation-based fee table | 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. | City of Chandler Fee Schedule §4.6.1 (Res. 4703). Valuation = all construction costs. |
Review timeline
~1–10 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Chandler building department
Inspection process
- 1
Final inspection (for permitted fences/retaining walls)
Fence or retaining wall completed per approved plans and city codes.
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
- Do I need a permit for a fence in Chandler?
- 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.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-29.
- City of Chandler Development Services Department — Building Safety — official building department
- Homeowner's Building Permit Manual (Rev. 4/09/26) — Fences and Walls section — PDF
- Building Safety: Plan Review, Permits and Inspections | City of Chandler
- City of Chandler Fee Schedule (§4.6.1) — PDF
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.
Other permits in Chandler
Related guides
Get the AI compliance checklist
Upload your project scope, get a jurisdiction-specific checklist of everything you need. Coming soon.
We only use your email to send permit updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Privacy.