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Block / Screen Wall and Fence Permit in Reno, Nevada

Required for construction of fences and walls (including block walls, screen walls, retaining walls, and rockery walls) in Reno. Governed by Reno Municipal Code Section 18.04.809 (General Standards for Fences and Walls). Residential fences ≤6 ft are typically flat-rate permits; larger or complex walls may be flat-rate or valuation-based.

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

When you need this permit

  • All fences and walls in Reno require a permit (Reno Municipal Code Section 18.04.809(g) and Title 14)
  • Fence (residential, ≤6 ft): flat-rate permit
  • Fence (commercial, ≤6 ft): flat-rate permit ($221.50)
  • Fence greater than 6 ft (commercial): flat-rate permit ($586.00)
  • Retaining wall (residential): flat-rate permit ($371 base + $40.00 per additional 50 LF)
  • Retaining wall (commercial): flat-rate permit ($371 base + $40.00 per additional 50 LF)
  • Rockery wall: flat-rate permit
  • Plot plan required showing: existing structures, all easements, location/length/height/materials of fence, gate locations, property lines, adjacent street speed limits
  • Fences 4 ft or less may be placed in front yard; fences over 4 ft not permitted in required front yard (except per specific exceptions)
  • Barbed wire, razor ribbon prohibited in residential zones
  • Vision triangle clearance required per AASHTO standards
  • HOA approval (if applicable) must be provided

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Fence — residential (flat rate)City of Reno FY27 Flat Rate Permit Types — Residential Flat Rate: 'Fence' = $135.00
$135.00 (includes application and permit issuance fees)
Fence — commercial, 6 ft or less (flat rate)City of Reno FY27 Flat Rate Permit Types — Commercial Flat Rate
$221.50 (includes application and permit issuance fees)
Fence — commercial, greater than 6 ft (flat rate)
$586.00 (includes application and permit issuance fees)
Retaining Wall — residential (flat rate)City of Reno FY27 Flat Rate Permit Types
$371.00 base + $40.00 per each additional 50 linear feet (includes application and permit issuance fees)
Retaining Wall — commercial (flat rate)
$371.00 base + $40.00 per each additional 50 linear feet
Rockery Wall — residential (flat rate)
$291.00 base + $40.00 per each additional 50 linear feet
Rockery Wall — commercial (flat rate)
$291.00 base + $40.00 per each additional 50 linear feet

Review timeline

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

How long did your Block / Screen Wall and Fence Permit permit actually take in Reno?

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

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Footing

    Before concrete pour for retaining walls and structural walls — depth and reinforcing

  2. 2

    Final

    Fence or wall constructed per approved plans — height, materials, location, gates, vision triangle compliance

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

Tips

  • Reno requires a permit for all fences and walls — there is no height threshold below which permits are not required (unlike some cities).
  • Fences over 4 ft are NOT allowed in required front yard areas in residential zones. Fences 4 ft or less are allowed in front yards.
  • Fences outside a setback area are limited to 10 ft in height (side, rear, and secondary front yards) per RMC 18.04.809.
  • In residential districts, fence posts may extend up to 2 ft higher than the fence itself if posts are at least 6 ft apart.
  • Where property abuts an arterial or freeway, taller fences may be allowed on the property line — consult the general fence standards document.
  • Vision triangle clearance per AASHTO is required at all street intersections and driveways.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. All fences and walls in Reno require a permit per the Reno Municipal Code. Residential fences are a flat-rate permit at $135.00 (includes application and permit issuance fees). Apply at onenv.us.

In Reno, the published Fence — residential (flat rate) is: $135.00 (includes application and permit issuance fees). Additional published fees: Fence — commercial, 6 ft or less (flat rate) — $221.50 (includes application and permit issuance fees); Fence — commercial, greater than 6 ft (flat rate) — $586.00 (includes application and permit issuance fees); Retaining Wall — residential (flat rate) — $371.00 base + $40.00 per each additional 50 linear feet (includes application and permit issuance fees); Retaining Wall — commercial (flat rate) — $371.00 base + $40.00 per each additional 50 linear feet; Rockery Wall — residential (flat rate) — $291.00 base + $40.00 per each additional 50 linear feet; Rockery Wall — commercial (flat rate) — $291.00 base + $40.00 per each additional 50 linear feet. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for a block / screen wall and fence permit in Reno typically runs 1–10 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Reno Development Services — Building and Safety Division at (775) 334-2063.

You'll need: Fence / Wall Permit Application (via onenv.us); Plot Plan. Depending on your project, Reno may also ask for: General Standards for Fences and Walls (Jun 1, 2026). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Reno requires 2 inspection(s) for a block / screen wall and fence permit, in order: Footing, Final. Schedule each through City of Reno Development Services — Building and Safety Division ((775) 334-2063).

Apply through City of Reno Development Services — Building and Safety Division at 1 E. 1st Street, Reno, NV 89505. Phone: (775) 334-2063, email: permits@reno.gov. Office hours: Mon–Fri (contact department for current hours). Official information: https://www.reno.gov/business-development/development-services/building-permits.php.

Reno, Nevada has adopted: 2024 International Building Code (IBC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments (NNICC); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments; effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments (commercial/multi-family); 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments (residential single-family); 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments (NOTE: Reno uses UPC, not IPC); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments; effective July 1, 2025; Nevada Blue Book (2020) — statewide construction industry reference, incorporates NRS/NAC provisions. Local amendments apply — see the Reno overview page for the full list.

In residential zones, fences up to 6 ft are permitted on lot lines (side and rear yards). Fences in the required front yard are limited to 4 ft. Fences outside setback areas in side, rear, and secondary front yards may be up to 10 ft. Specific exceptions and HOA rules may apply.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.

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 Reno building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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Block / Screen Wall and Fence Permit in other cities

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