Fence Permit Requirements in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale requires a permit for fence, wall, and gate projects, with added setback and landscaping rules for anything facing the street.
Verified against official sources · Last verified: September 9, 2026
Do You Need a Permit?
Permit RequiredA permit is generally required for a fence, wall, or gate project in the City of Fort Lauderdale. Street-facing fences and walls are required to be set back from the property line and planted with hedges, shrubs, and groundcover under the city's Unified Land Development Regulations (ULDR § 47-19.5C).
See what applies to your exact property.
Check Your PropertyPermit Type
Building Permit
Documents You May Need
- Building permit application
- Electrical permit application, when electrical equipment is installed
- Site plan showing the fence location and setback dimensions (may be omitted if shown on the survey)
- Current property survey, submitted with a completed Zoning Affidavit
- Signed and sealed plans by a Florida-licensed architect/engineer, for PVC or metal fence systems (wood/chain-link must otherwise follow the FBC 8th Edition prescribed method)
- Chain Link Fence Table, for chain-link fences
- Product approvals, when required
- Special Inspector documentation completed by a Florida-licensed engineer, when piles are required
- Recorded Temporary Structure Affidavit, when the fence is located within an easement
Approvals
- Building
- Zoning
- Landscaping (not required in the Riverland Road annexed area or the Broward County annexed areas)
- Electrical, when installed
- Engineering, when located within an easement
Inspections
- Final inspection for wood fences
What to Do Next
- 1Gather the required documents listed above.
- 2Complete any required additional approvals.
- 3Submit your application through the official Fort Lauderdale permit portal.
- 4Respond to any plan-review comments if issued.
- 5Complete the verified inspections listed above.
Ready to continue?
Apply for the permit
Open the official government application portal.
Questions about your permit?
Call the Building Department.
Common Questions
Do I need a permit for a new fence in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. A permit is generally required for a fence, wall, or gate project, and street-facing fences must also be set back from the property line and planted with hedges or shrubs under the city's land development regulations.
Does fence material affect what's required?
Yes. PVC or metal fence systems need plans signed and sealed by a licensed architect or engineer, while wood and chain-link fences instead follow the Florida Building Code's prescribed installation method (chain-link also needs the city's Chain Link Fence Table).
What if the fence is in an easement?
A recorded Temporary Structure Affidavit is required when the fence is located within an easement.
Permit Fees
Fees vary by project scope. See the official City of Fort Lauderdale permitting resources.
Review Time
Varies by project and plan-review workload
Building Department
Development Services Department — Building Services
Phone: 954-828-3160Email: PermitSolutions@fortlauderdale.govAddress: 700 NW 19th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Official Sources
City of Fort Lauderdale — Permitting Services
fortlauderdale.gov · Official page · verified September 9, 2026
Source last checked: September 17, 2026
City of Fort Lauderdale — DSD Documents & Forms
fortlauderdale.gov · Official page · verified September 9, 2026
Source last checked: September 17, 2026
City of Fort Lauderdale — Fence/Wall/Gate Permit Checklist
fortlauderdale.gov · Official PDF · verified September 9, 2026
Source last checked: September 17, 2026
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PermitAhead provides informational guidance based on official government sources. Final permitting decisions are made by the applicable local authority.