Fence permit checklist — Tempe, Arizona
Assembled from Tempe’s own published permit rules. Every line below is quoted from a city document and linked to it. Nothing here is generated, estimated, or inferred from another jurisdiction.
Do you need a permit?
Tempe requires a permit for a fence.
The Tempe Administrative Code as currently codified (City Code Sec. 8-105, 105.2) exempts fences, other than swimming pool barriers, that are not more than 7 feet high as measured to the highest point from the top of the footing. Building Code Directive #2, the Building Safety Division's fence handout, states that no permit or inspection is required for fences and freestanding walls 6 feet or less in height, with height measured for permitting from the lowest point of the finished ground, paving or sidewalk within 5 feet of the wall, and that masonry walls may have up to half of their last course extending over the 6-foot measurement, allowing a maximum of 6 feet 5 inches with 10-inch-high fence block before a permit is required.
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Sources
- fence — permit rules ↗verified August 2026
Other permits Tempe publishes rules for
Listed because the city publishes a separate rule for each type — not because this project necessarily triggers one. Whether it does depends on your scope of work.
- Deck permit checklist
- Shed permit checklist
- Water heater permit checklist
- Re-roof permit checklist
- Retaining wall permit checklist
- Electrical work permit checklist
- General building work permit checklist
BuildSpec is a reference, not the authority having jurisdiction. Confirm requirements with Tempe before you build.