Building a Fence on the Property Line: What Michigan Homeowners Should Know
Surveys, neighbor consent, shared fences and the setback rules that decide where your fence can go.
Harper Woods · Wayne CountyFence Installation in Harper Woods
Harper Woods is a few minutes from our base in St. Clair Shores, and we’ve completed projects here. Its fence ordinance differs from its neighbors’ in a few ways worth knowing before you plan.
Harper Woods Fence Rules at a Glance
- Rear and side yards: up to 6 feet.
- In front of the house: no more than 3 feet, and it must be ornamental in design.
- Side yard placement: behind the front foundation wall, using whichever wall is farther from the street, yours or your neighbor’s.
- Corner lots: up to 6 feet along the street-side lot line, extending to the front building line. Inside the corner visibility triangle, nothing over 30 inches above the curb.
- Driveways: fences can’t block visibility from a driveway, and front-yard fences next to a neighbor’s driveway are set back 2 feet.
Source: City of Harper Woods Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 10-228 Fences and Walls. Confirm current requirements with the city.
Building on the Lot Line Takes Neighbor Consent
Harper Woods allows a fence in the side or rear yard to sit right on the lot line only with the written consent of all adjacent property owners. Without it, the fence goes inside your line. Have that conversation early. It’s also a good time to agree on style, since the ordinance requires a single finished side to face outward toward neighbors and the street.
Every Fence on Its Own Posts
The ordinance requires each fence to be freestanding on its own posts, so two separate fences can’t share posts. If a neighbor’s fence already runs along your line, a new fence needs its own post line. We’ll lay that out at the estimate.
Fence Services in Harper Woods
- Privacy Fencing — 6-foot wood, vinyl and composite privacy fences that are tall, tight and built to code.
- Wood Fencing — Privacy, shadow box, picket and split rail fences built from wood.
- Vinyl Fencing — Clean white vinyl privacy fence and gates with no staining or painting.
- Gates — Walk gates, double drive gates and driveway gates that swing true and latch.
- Fence Repair — Leaning posts, broken boards, storm damage and sagging gates fixed right.
- Fence Staining and Power Washing — Clean, restore and protect wood fences with power washing and stain.
Fences We’ve Built
A few recent Final Touch Fencing projects from around our service area:
Nearby Communities We Serve
Reviews
What Our Customers Say
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“I got estimates from four fencing companies. Final Touch Fencing had the best price. Robert and Marisa were very helpful throughout the entire process. They answered all my questions and…”
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“Beyond happy with Final Touch Fencing! They put in a brand-new shadow box privacy fence around our entire yard. They also put a gate across our driveway and a gate on the lawn. They DIDN’T use…”
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“Final Touch Fencing installed my wooden fence, and I am extremely happy. I requested an estimate, and they came out promptly and provided an estimate the next day, and they offered a very reasonable…”
From the blog
Fence Guides for Harper Woods Homeowners
Corner Lot Fences: Sight Triangles, Setbacks and Step-Downs
Why corner lots get special fence rules and what St. Clair Shores, Harper Woods and Chesterfield Township require.
Fence Permit Rules in St. Clair Shores, Chesterfield, Macomb Township, Harper Woods and Clay Township
Heights, front yards, waterfront and corner lots, fees and timelines, compared from each city’s own ordinance.
FAQ
Fences in Harper Woods: Common Questions
How Tall Can a Fence Be in Harper Woods?
Up to 6 feet in rear and side yards and 3 feet (ornamental) in front of the house, per Sec. 10-228 of the zoning ordinance.
Can My Fence Go Right on the Property Line?
Only with the written consent of all adjacent property owners. Otherwise, it goes inside your line.
Free estimates
Get a Free Fence Quote in Harper Woods
Send a few details and we’ll follow up to set a time to measure and price your project. No pressure, no obligation.
- (810) 614-4181Free estimates, no obligation
- Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.Quote requests are accepted any time
- Based in St. Clair Shores, MIServing Macomb, St. Clair and Wayne counties
Thank You! Your Quote Request Has Been Received.
Final Touch Fencing will be in touch soon. If your project is time-sensitive, call us at (810) 614-4181.
While you wait: check whether your city requires a fence permit in our local fence permit guide.