St. George Fence Guide: Heights, Permits & Blue Stakes

Updated October 24, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency listed before you start work.

Quick reference

Topic	What to know	Source
Side and rear fences	Up to 6 ft 4 in inside St. George; berms can't add height	St. George Code 10-18-1
Front setback	Up to 4 ft; first 10 ft behind sidewalk decorative only, at least 50% open	10-18-1
Corner lots	Nothing over 3 ft in the sight triangle	10-18-1
Permits	Required for any fence or retaining wall in a front setback; retaining walls 4 ft and up need one anywhere	10-18-5
Utility clearance	5 ft from transformers and hydrants; 3 ft from water meter boxes; 7.5 ft from power poles	10-18-1
Digging	Request Blue Stakes markings at least 3 business days ahead; free	Blue Stakes of Utah
Licensing	Fences fall in the S330 classification; handyman exemption covers jobs under $7,000	R156-55a-301; Utah Code 58-55-305

How tall can a fence be in St. George?

St. George City Code 10-18-1 limits fences to 6 feet 4 inches in side and rear yards and 4 feet in the front setback. Within 10 feet of the sidewalk (or the property line where there's no sidewalk), only decorative fences such as picket or wrought iron are allowed, and at least half of the fence has to be open. On corner lots, nothing over 3 feet can sit in the sight distance triangle. Berms can't be used to artificially raise a fence's height, and no fence can be built beyond the property line or in the public right-of-way. Where a fence comes within a foot of a sidewalk, the gap must be filled with concrete or gravel to keep weeds out, and the owner or HOA maintains it.

Do I need a permit?

Under section 10-18-5, a permit is required before building any fence or retaining wall in a front setback, unless it's already detailed on an approved plan. The application includes a site plan showing property lines, sidewalks, buildings, heights and the fence location. Retaining walls 4 feet or taller need a permit wherever they are, and concrete and block walls are measured from the top of the footing. Side and rear fences within the height limit generally don't need a city fence permit, but HOA approval may still be required. Washington, Hurricane, Santa Clara and Ivins have their own codes, so check with the city that matches your address.

How far from utilities does a fence have to be?

The St. George code keeps fences 5 feet from pad-mount transformers, four-way vaults, fire hydrants and the non-door side of switchgear, 10 feet from the door side of switchgear, 3 feet from water meter boxes, communication pedestals and streetlights, and 7.5 feet from power poles. Lay the fence out with those in mind before digging.

Is barbed wire allowed?

Not in most of the city. Barbed wire, razor ribbon and similar materials are prohibited in all zones except agricultural, manufacturing and the C-2 and C-3 commercial zones. In residential estate zones they're allowed only for agricultural uses, must be strung straight rather than coiled, and the fence plus wire can't exceed 7 feet.

Who calls Blue Stakes, and how early?

Blue Stakes of Utah is the state's free 811 notification center. It asks diggers, including homeowners, to submit a locate request at least three business days before excavating and to wait until the legal start time shown on the request. Requests can be filed online at any hour. If marks are missing when the dig date arrives, Blue Stakes asks you to file a no-response notice rather than dig. Point out any private lines you know of, such as irrigation or power run to a shed, so the crew can work around them.

What's going on in the soil?

A U.S. Geological Survey summary of hazards in the Hurricane fault region (Lund, 1997) notes that expansive soil and rock are widespread across southwestern Utah, with the Petrified Forest Member of the Chinle Formation especially prone to large volume changes as moisture varies. It also notes that gypsum-bearing soil and rock can dissolve, damaging foundations and creating sinkholes. For a fence, that means footing design and keeping irrigation water away from posts and wall bases matter. The Utah Geological Survey has published geologic-hazard maps of the St. George to Hurricane area for site-specific checks.

What does the climate mean for materials?

St. George sits at about 2,530 feet, with 1991 to 2020 normals showing an average July high near 102 degrees and roughly 9 inches of precipitation a year. The state record high of 118 degrees was set in south St. George on July 4, 2007. Strong sun is hard on wood finishes and low-grade vinyl, and dark metal heats up. Ask about UV-rated materials and lighter colors.

Does a fence contractor need a license?

Utah's contractor rules place fences in the S330 Landscape and Recreation classification, and a B100 General Building license also covers specialty work. The handyman exemption in Utah Code 58-55-305 applies to projects under $7,000 in combined labor and materials; above $3,000, a person using the exemption must file an affirmation of liability insurance with the Division of Professional Licensing. Look up any license on DOPL's site and ask for proof of insurance.

Questions to ask before you sign

What's your DOPL license number and classification, and can I see your insurance?
How will you set posts or footings for this soil and slope?
Who files the Blue Stakes request and checks city and HOA rules?
What does the material warranty cover for sun damage?
What does your workmanship warranty cover, and for how long?

Common questions

How tall can a backyard fence be in St. George?

Up to 6 feet 4 inches in side and rear yards inside St. George city limits. HOAs can be stricter, and other cities set their own limits.

Do I need a permit for a front yard fence in St. George?

Yes. Any fence or retaining wall in a front setback needs a permit before construction, unless it's already detailed on an approved plan.

How far ahead do I call Blue Stakes?

Blue Stakes of Utah asks for at least three business days' notice before digging, and the service is free.

St. George fence guide (2026)