Yes. Stamford's Zoning Enforcement office states that a fence needs a permit and that a survey is required for the application. The nearby towns each have their own rules, and some are looser than Stamford's.
Do I need a permit to build or replace a fence?
In Stamford you need a permit to build or replace a fence, and the application goes to Zoning Enforcement in the Building Department with a survey of the property. For a like-for-like replacement, ask Zoning Enforcement before you assume it is exempt. We have not found a written exemption. Greenwich, Westport, Trumbull and the other towns we serve each handle this differently, and our town pages name the office for each.
How tall can my fence be? Is 6 feet allowed?
Yes, 6 feet is allowed in Stamford. The city's stated limits are 6 feet in a front or side yard and 8 feet in a rear yard. A fence over 8 feet has to go to the Zoning Board for a special permit. On a corner lot the city requires the fence to be 25 feet back from the property lines along both streets, so drivers can see. Confirm the details for your lot with Zoning Enforcement.
How close to the property line can I build? Do I need a survey?
Stamford asks for a survey with the fence permit, so the question of where the line is gets answered up front. Most owners build just inside their own line. If you have no survey, or the boundary is not marked on the ground, get a plot plan or a survey before any posts go in. It costs much less than moving a finished fence.
I live in a historic district. What can I build?
Ask before you choose a material. In a local historic district, changes that can be seen from the street generally need approval from the historic district commission, and that can include a fence. Wood and plain metal are approved more easily than vinyl or chain link in most such districts. We can supply drawings and material details for the application.
Can my condo association or HOA restrict my fence?
Yes. An association can set its own limits on height, style, material and color, and they apply on top of the city's. Get the approval on paper before any material is ordered.
We are adding a pool. What fence does code require?
The Connecticut State Building Code requires a barrier at least 48 inches high, measured on the side away from the pool. The space under it may not exceed 2 inches and no opening may pass a 4-inch ball. Gates must open outward from the pool and close and latch on their own. Connecticut also requires a pool alarm before a pool permit is issued. Check the current details with the Stamford Building Department.
The inspector failed my existing fence for the pool. Who brings it up to code?
A fence contractor. Most failures are at the gate: hinges that do not close it, a latch in the wrong place, or a gate that swings toward the water. The rest are gaps under the fence and sections that are too short. Send us the inspector's list and we will price exactly those items.
My association only allows a 4-foot open fence, but I want privacy. What are my options?
Three things are worth trying. Plant a hedge or evergreens behind the 4-foot open fence. Ask whether a privacy screen close to the patio is treated differently from a boundary fence. Or apply to the board for a written exception. Also look at your survey for easements. A fence across a utility or drainage easement may have to be left out or made removable.
Who calls 811 before digging, me or the contractor?
The one doing the digging. In Connecticut the service is Call Before You Dig (CBYD), reached at 811. A request has to be made at least 2 full working days before digging and no more than 30 days ahead, not counting weekends and holidays, and a ticket runs out after 30 days. We make the request for fences we install. Tell us about lines you put in yourself, such as sprinklers, dog fence wire or power to a shed, because those are yours to point out.
My contractor wants to skip the permit and reuse the old holes. What is the risk?
The risk is yours, not the contractor's. If Zoning Enforcement finds a fence built without the permit, the owner is the one who has to answer, and the fence may have to be changed or moved. Old holes are also a poor shortcut: they are often the shallow holes that let the first fence fail.
The city says my existing fence breaks the current rules. Can I just repair it?
That is for Zoning Enforcement to decide. Many places let an older fence be repaired but require a full replacement to meet today's rules. Ask the office in writing before you spend money either way.
We only give a firm price after seeing the yard, and the visit is free. Call (203) 409-8830 or text us a photo of the fence line.