Fence Permit in Twin Falls, Idaho
VerifiedFences in Twin Falls are regulated primarily by height, with a 7-foot threshold for requiring a building permit, and by sight-triangle height restrictions (3 feet maximum) near driveways, street intersections, and alleys regardless of the general 7-foot threshold. Governed by the City of Twin Falls 'Fences & Sight Obstructions' handout and Twin Falls City Code Section 9-9-16 (Obstruction to Vision at Intersections).
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- Fences 7 feet in height or less do not require a building permit
- Fences over 7 feet in height require a building permit
- Regardless of the 7-foot threshold, a fence located within a driveway sight triangle (100 ft along the curb / 10 ft along the left driveway edge, or 125 ft along the curb / 10 ft along the right driveway edge), a 40-foot street-intersection sight triangle, or a 40 ft/15 ft alley sight triangle cannot exceed 3 feet in height
- A minimum 3-foot clearance must be maintained on all sides of fire hydrants, free of fences
- Properties in a Flood Zone require a Flood Plain Development Permit through the City's Engineering Department even if a building permit is not otherwise required for the fence
- Permit application requires: a site plan showing fence location, structural plans showing post/fencing material and construction method, post depth in the ground/concrete, and the fence height
- If there is no curb in front of the property, the future curb line can be obtained from the City Engineering Department at (208) 735-7248
Required documents
- Required
Building Permit Application (fence, via Residential Detached Accessory application)
Fences over 7 feet are permitted using the same application family as detached accessory structures; submit via bsdpermits@tfid.org or the CityWorks portal
- Required
Site Plan
Showing fence location on the property relative to sight triangles, property lines, and fire hydrants
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $500 | $22.00 | Fences over 7 feet are fee-assessed on the standard valuation-based Building Permit Fee schedule. City of Twin Falls Master City-Wide Fee Schedule |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $501 to $2,000 | $22.00 for the first $500, plus $2.75 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof | City of Twin Falls Master City-Wide Fee Schedule |
| Residential Plan Review Fee | 30% of the building permit fee | City of Twin Falls Master City-Wide Fee Schedule |
Review timeline
10–10 business days
Twin Falls’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Final
Completed fence height, post depth, and sight-triangle compliance verified against approved plans
Tips
- Fences 7 feet or under never require a permit anywhere on the lot outside sight triangles; the sight-triangle 3-foot cap applies regardless of whether a permit would otherwise be required.
- The City's published plan review timeline for fences (where plan review applies) is 2 weeks for residential and 3 weeks for 'miscellaneous' commercial-adjacent categories including fences.
- Fences (regardless of height) must maintain a 3-foot clear zone around fire hydrants per Fire Department requirements — contact (208) 735-7233 for questions.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to build a fence in Twin Falls?
- No permit is required for a fence 7 feet in height or less. A building permit is required only if the fence exceeds 7 feet, and even fences under 7 feet are capped at 3 feet within designated driveway, street-intersection, and alley sight triangles. Source: City of Twin Falls 'Fences & Sight Obstructions' handout.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
- City of Twin Falls Building Safety Department — official building department
- Fences & Sight Obstructions (PDF, revised 3-1-24) | City of Twin Falls
- Permit Responsibilities and Requirements | City of Twin Falls
- Master City-Wide Fee Schedule (PDF) | City of Twin Falls
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 Twin Falls building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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