Fence permit in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Yes — you need a permit for fence work in Fort Lauderdale.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | No size threshold in the code |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023 |
Most building codes exempt a fence up to 7 ft tall. Fort Lauderdale is stricter — a permit applies at any height.
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Fort Lauderdale 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.
If you skip it
Fort Lauderdale's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | — | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Lauderhill | 5 mi | Yes | Building, replacing, or extending a fence or privacy wall… |
| Plantation | 7 mi | Yes | You need a permit to build, replace, or extend a fence or… |
| Sunrise | 7 mi | Yes | Building, replacing, or extending a fence needs a permit.… |
| Tamarac | 8 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Davie | 9 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Fort Lauderdale
Questions people ask
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Fort Lauderdale 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.