Fence Ordinances in Southfield Michigan
Below is a brief overview of the fence ordinances for Southfield Michigan. This is not a complete or definite list and should never be used in support of a dispute. Click here to review the complete document of codes and ordinances regarding fences in Southfield.
Design & Height Requirements
The city of Southfield Michigan has recently changed some of their fence ordinances. For the most part, all common fence types are allowed including; vinyl fencing, wood fencing, aluminum, and vinyl coated chain link fence (galvanized/silver chain link fencing is no longer allowed). Fence styles allowed include privacy fencing, picket fences, and ornamental fences.
If the fence that you are installing has a “finished side”, this finished side must face your adjacent neighbors rather than your own property. This means that the posts and rails of your fence must be installed facing the inside of your backyard.
Stockade wood fencing (the cheap stuff that is prebuilt) is not allowed to be installed within the city of Southfield. It is also important to note that galvanized chain link (the silver chain link fence you see everywhere) is no longer allowed. If you still want chain link, you must install a vinyl coated chain link fence instead. Common colors for vinyl coated chain link are black, brown and green.
Location Requirements
Fences can be installed around your entire back yard as well as along the sides of your house, but not extending beyond the front corners of your house. The maximum height for a backyard fence is 6 feet tall. You may however, install a fence in your front yard as long as it is not taller than 30-inches and not more than 16-ft in length.
If you live on a corner lot you must install your fence in the back/side yard only. you are not allowed to extend the fence beyond the front face of the house on the front or side of the house. This means that your fence cannot extend toward the sidewalk beyond the front/side corner of your home.
