Sarasota Fence Permit Rules & Height Limits

Unincorporated Sarasota County

Most addresses around Sarasota, including Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis, Fruitville and most of Siesta Key, are in unincorporated Sarasota County. Here the fence rules are in the Unified Development Code, Section 124-125:

• No building permit for residential wood, vinyl or chain link fences that meet zoning. Aluminum fences, masonry walls and other types do need a permit.
• Street yard: 4 ft maximum if the fence is set back less than 4 ft; up to 6 ft with an average 4 ft setback (8 ft along larger collector and arterial roads).
• Side and rear: up to 8 ft, right to the property line.
• Chain link isn't allowed in a required front yard or any required yard facing a public street.
• Finished side faces the street and neighbors; no fence may block visibility along a right-of-way.

County permit centers are at the Sarasota County Operations Center, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., and the R.L. Anderson Administration Center in Venice. General line: 941-861-5000.

City of Sarasota

Inside city limits, the zoning code allows fences and walls up to 6.5 ft in front, side and rear setbacks, with a 4 ft limit in the first layer of Downtown Neighborhood zones and sight-triangle rules on corner lots. We confirm the city's permit requirements for your project and file them.

North Port

Fences 6 ft or shorter on one- and two-family lots need no building permit. Taller fences and any wall need a Certificate of Zoning Compliance and a building permit. Front yards max out at 4 ft; side, rear and waterfront at 8 ft.

Venice

Inside city limits, the Venice Building Department at City Hall, 401 W. Venice Ave., reviews construction. Many Venice addresses are actually unincorporated county, so we check first.

Bradenton and Manatee County

Bradenton requires a zoning permit for fences, with 48 inches the limit in front yards and within 25 ft of a street. Unincorporated Manatee County, which includes part of Lakewood Ranch, limits required front yards to 48 inches, generally allows 8 ft elsewhere and usually requires a building permit.

Corner Lots and Visibility

Every jurisdiction protects drivers' sightlines at intersections. Sarasota County bars fences that block visual clearance along a right-of-way, the City of Sarasota applies sight-triangle rules, and Bradenton limits fences in its visibility triangle to 24 inches. We keep corners low or open.

Before Anyone Digs

Florida law requires a Sunshine 811 locate at least two full business days before digging, permit or not. We schedule it on every job.

HOAs and Easements

Permits aside, most planned communities require architectural approval. We prepare the product details, colors and layout sketch. We also keep fences out of drainage and utility easements, or follow the county's hold-harmless process where crossing one is allowed.