PlainPermit

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Do I need a permit for a fence in Washington, DC?

Last verified: · Confidence: high · Status: Verified from official source

Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.
Permit required Confidence: high

Yes for a new fence. Only in-kind repair of an existing fence is exempt; in-kind replacement of a fence under 7 ft wholly on your property can get an Instant Permit.

What changes the answer

Cost

Fee not extracted; see DC DOB. Unverified, confirm locally

Fee source: https://dob.dc.gov/page/get-permit

Where to apply

DC Department of Buildings (DOB) online permits

Permitting authority: District of Columbia Department of Buildings (DOB). Covers the District of Columbia. Historic districts remove most exemptions. Work in public space (including many front yards and alleys) needs a separate DDOT public space permit.

Official sources

“Construction of retaining walls, fences, sheds, garages, or vault construction”

Source: https://dob.dc.gov/page/get-permit

“Repair of existing fences with in-kind materials”

Source: https://dob.dc.gov/page/get-permit

“Replace in kind of existing fence wholly on owner's property and less than 7 feet tall.”

Source: https://dob.dc.gov/instantpermits

Verified: · Status: verified · Confidence: high

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