Fence permit in Glendale, AZ
It depends — some fence work in Glendale needs a permit, some doesn't.
You do not need a building permit for a fence or privacy wall that is 7 feet tall or shorter. You do need a permit if the fence is taller than 7 feet, if it is a swimming pool barrier, or if it is a perimeter subdivision fence, no matter its height. Zoning rules on where a wall can sit and how tall it can be near street corners still apply either way.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 7 ft tall |
| Fee | The code does not print a dollar amount. Glendale sets permit and plan-review fees by City Council resolution; the schedule lives in Appendix B of the city code (Sec. 2-3). |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Section 105.2, item 2 (as amended) — fences not over 7 feet high |
| Based on | 2024 International Residential Code as adopted and amended by the City of Glendale (Sec. 9-18); fence exemption per amended Section 105.2, item 2 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Glendale building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Doing work without a required permit breaks the adopted codes, which the city treats as a misdemeanor. A special investigation fee is also added on top of the permit fee before a permit can be issued.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale | — | Depends | Over 7 ft tall |
| Avondale | 17 mi | Depends | Over 7 ft tall |
| Surprise | 18 mi | Depends | Over 7 ft tall |
| Tempe | 18 mi | Depends | Over 7 ft tall |
| Scottsdale | 22 mi | Depends | Over 3 ft tall |
| Buckeye | 27 mi | Depends | Over 7 ft tall |
Other work in Glendale
Questions people ask
My fence is right at the limit. Does that count?
The exemption has to fit exactly — if the code says a size or height, being at or under it keeps you exempt, and going a single inch over doesn't. When you're close to the line, measure before you buy materials, and call the department if the number is borderline.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Glendale can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.