Fences are permitted in Kirkwood that follow current Building Code.

The intent of the Code is to protect the public from unsafe fences, safeguard and enhance private and public property, and encourage effective fencing practice.

Permits

Permits are required for  the new construction or rebuilding of any fence. Permit applications must include the following:

• Height, type, construction, and material
• Two (2) copies of site plan showing dimensions to physical features on premises
• Location of fence relative to property lines and if near right-of-way or street, relative to curb and/or sidewalk.*

*Spot survey is not required but is recommended and will usually fulfill the site plan requirements when the fence is drawn on the survey.

Click Here for Fence Permit Application

Permits Applications must be submitted to the Building Division located on the lower level of City Hall or call 314-822-5823 for more information.

The fence permit fee is currently $48.

General Fence Regulations

Materials:

• Fences shall not be constructed in any location of paper, cloth, canvas, bamboo, chicken coop wire, or barbed wire.
• Fences located between the street and a building in a residential area shall not be constructed of chain link wire, wire mesh, plastic mesh, or wooden slats.
• Fences shall not have electric current running through them.
• Fences shall not be constructed of single or double wire.
• Fences in residential areas shall not contain barbed wire.

Height & Openness:

• Fences in residential areas shall not exceed 6 feet in height measured from the ground to the top of the fence. (Posts may be 6 inches higher than the top of the fence.)
• Fences in residential areas which are located in front of the residence shall not exceed 4 feet in height and must be at least 1/3 open. (The front of the residence is the area between the front of the house and the street to which the house is addressed.)

Location:

• Fences shall not be located within any public right-of-way.
• Fences shall be located at least 12 feet from the curb or edge of a street.
• Fences shall be located at least one foot from the edge of a public sidewalk or walkway.
• Fences shall be located at least 25 feet from the point of intersection of the curb or edge of any intersecting streets.

Other Fence Regulations

• Fences around an institution, park, playground, school, commercial or industrial site shall not exceed 10 feet in height.
• Tennis court fences shall be of open mesh construction and shall not exceed 15 feet in height.
• The Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council may specify fence height and materials as part of a Site Plan Review or Special Use Permit.
• Public safety fences enclosing utilities, bridge abutments, retaining walls, culverts, walkways, and drainage channels are exempt from the fence ordinance.
• In non-residential zoning districts, barbed wire shall be at least 6 feet above grade and not adjacent to a street, sidewalk, or park.
• Swimming pools shall be enclosed with a fence at least 4 feet high with a self-latching and self-closing gate. (See Pool Regulations available at the Building Division.)

Appeals & Variances

The Board of Adjustment may grant variances based on undue hardship. Contact the Assistant City Planner for more information at 314-822-5815.

Additional Information

The Building Commissioner enforces the Kirkwood Fence Code. For more information on permit applications, requirements, or other Fence Code information, contact the Building Division at 314-822-5823.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer