The Hamilton County Plan Commission defers fence permitting to the Hamilton County Surveyor's Office to determine if a Non-Enforcement of Drainage Easement for Fences permit is required. Please note other planning jurisdictions within the County may require their own fence permit.

Even though the Hamilton County plan commission defers all fencing permits to the Hamilton County surveyor's office for determination, the Hamilton County Unified Development Ordinance still has requirements for the type and placement of fences on property. That information is listed below.

A.

On residential used or zoned lots, fences located within any required front yard shall not exceed 42 inches in height (except for livestock containment which may not exceed 6' in height), as measured from the top-most point thereof to the ground adjacent to the fence. At least 50 percent of its area shall be open as viewed on any line perpendicular to the vertical plan of the fence. Such open spaces must be reasonably dispersed throughout the entire area of the fence, except where solid stone or brick walls are permitted.

B.

Residential fences located within any required side or rear yard shall not exceed 6 feet in height, as measured from the top-most point thereof to the ground adjacent to the fence.

C.

Residential fences not located within any required yard but within the build-able area shall not exceed 9 feet in height, as measured from the top-most point thereof to the ground adjacent to the fence.

D.

Any fence placed upon an erected earth berm or masonry wall must govern its height as measured to the ground adjacent to said earth berm or wall.

E.

Open wire mesh fences surrounding tennis courts may be erected to a height of 16 feet if such fences shall enclose only a regulation court and standard apron area.

F.

Fences enclosing an institution, a public park, schools or commercial or industrial property may consist of an open mesh fence not to exceed a height of 10 feet.

G.

No sign, fence, wall, shrub, or other obstruction to vision shall exist in the area designated as the vision clearance area of corner lots.

H.

Fences located within any drainage easement other than a regulated drain shall be constructed so as to provide for an open space of 18 inches from the ground to the bottom of the fence.

I.

No fence shall be located within a regulated drain easement, unless granted a Non-Enforcement of Drainage Easement for Fences permit by the Hamilton County drainage board.

J.

No fence shall be located within a platted drainage easement without a regulated drain letter of concurrence by the Hamilton County surveyor.

K.

For fence permitting determinations please contact the Hamilton County surveyor's office at 317-776-8495 or email Surveyor@hamiltoncounty.in.gov