FENCE RULES – BOSSIER CITY (CITY), LOUISIANA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Bossier City, subject to local regulations.
In City of Bossier City, standard residential fence rules appear primarily in the Bossier City-Parish Unified Development Code, especially Article 13, Sec. 13.12 Fences and Walls and Sec. 13.13 Clear Visibility Triangle. Permit and approval requirements are administered through the city’s Permits & Inspections Division and the Planning and Zoning functions of the Metropolitan Planning Commission.
This page focuses on typical single-family residential fencing. If the jurisdiction’s adopted materials do not state a specific limit or requirement, this page notes that the code does not specify one.
Compiled From the Bossier City-Parish Unified Development Code; Permits FAQ; Commercial & Residential Permits; Planning and Zoning; Zoning Compliance and Site Development Plan Reviews; Metropolitan Planning Commission FAQ; Building Permit and Site Plan Review Process Guide; and Property Standards Division, as of March 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The Permits & Inspections Division issues city building permits and performs inspections on residential and commercial projects. The Planning and Zoning office of the Metropolitan Planning Commission reviews building permits, reviews site plans, and enforces zoning ordinance regulations under the Bossier City-Parish Unified Development Code.
For residential fences, the controlling ordinance language is in the Bossier City-Parish Unified Development Code, especially Article 13. Administrative permit guidance also appears on the city’s Permits FAQ, Commercial & Residential Permits, Planning and Zoning, Zoning Compliance and Site Development Plan Reviews, and Building Permit and Site Plan Review Process Guide pages.
The Property Standards Division provides complaint-based enforcement for basic maintenance standards on private property. That enforcement context matters because the Unified Development Code requires fences to be maintained in good repair.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit: City of Bossier City states that building permits are required for any residential or commercial work except flooring and painting. The city separately identifies Fence Permits as a permit type, and the city permit portal includes a Building (Residential) – Fence application category.
• No Published Fence Permit Exemption: The city does not publish a fence height threshold below which a building permit is waived. Current city guidance states that building permits are required for residential or commercial work except flooring and painting.
• Zoning Approval: Fence Permits must also obtain approval from the MPC / Zoning Department before the permit can be issued so height and setback requirements can be checked.
• Site Plan Review: The city states that nearly all physical development, including fences, requires submission of a site or sketch plan before permit issuance.
• Site Plan Contents: The published site-plan guidance calls for property lines, dimensions to property lines, front, side, and rear setbacks, utility and drainage easements, and fence locations and height.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Property Lines: The ordinance does not state a setback requirement for standard residential fences from property lines; however, fences must be located entirely on the owner’s property and must not encroach into rights-of-way or easements or servitudes.
• Front Yards: Fences in the front yard of corner and interior lots must not exceed 4 feet in height and must be set back at least 1 foot from any sidewalks situated on the right-of-way.
• Corner Lots: On a corner lot where a rear yard faces the street on one side, a fence may extend from the rear property line along the building setback line at a height of 7 feet. Any fence that crosses the building setback line in the front or side yard must not exceed 4 feet in height.
• Rear Yards Facing a Street: Fences or perimeter walls along street yards that are also rear yards are allowed if the fence design along the road frontage provides a uniform appearance and conforms to the street bufferyard requirements referenced in the Unified Development Code.
• Site Review Constraints: Published site-plan requirements and permit review materials require review of property lines, setbacks, utility and drainage easements, and related site conditions before a fence permit is issued.
• Utility Safety: Louisiana’s Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law requires the person responsible for excavation or demolition to provide notice to the regional notification center (Louisiana 811) before digging. Notice must be provided at least two (2) full business days before the proposed commencement date of the excavation or demolition. Markings are considered valid up to 20 calendar days from the “mark-by” time, as long as the marks remain visible.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• General Maximum Height: Fence height is limited to 7 feet.
• Eight-Foot Fences by Special Exception: In all residential districts within the City limits of Bossier City, fences up to 8 feet in height may be approved by special exception use.
• Conditions for Eight-Foot Fences: A fence taller than 7 feet may not be erected between residences unless the separation between the residences is at least 20 feet. If an active homeowners association exists, review and approval by the HOA is required for a fence taller than 7 feet. The Unified Development Code also states that the fence height should not exceed the height allowed within subdivision covenants.
• Front-Yard Height: Fences in the front yard of corner and interior lots must not exceed 4 feet in height.
• Clear Visibility Triangle: Where public rights-of-way intersect, or where a property abuts the intersection of two or more public rights-of-way, no fence, wall, hedge, structure, or planting may obstruct view between 3 feet and 10 feet above street grade within the required clear visibility triangle.
• Corner-Lot Visibility Distances: On a corner lot, the clear visibility triangle distance is 15 feet at an alley, 30 feet at a local street, 60 feet at a collector, and 120 feet at an arterial, measured along the street lines from the point of intersection.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Allowed Fence Materials: Fences must be constructed of materials expressly designed for fences, such as wood pickets, chain link, wrought iron, or a combination of masonry columns with those materials.
• Maintenance Standard: All fences must be maintained in a state of good repair.
• Between Residential Lots: Within a residential subdivision, fencing between lots must be chain link or wood.
• Prohibited Between Lots: Solid masonry, cinder block, or combinations of masonry columns and wood are prohibited between lots within a residential subdivision unless approved as part of a planned unit development.
• Subdivision Perimeters: Masonry walls or combination wrought iron / masonry fencing are limited to the perimeter of subdivisions.
• Wood Fence Framing Over Six Feet: Wooden fences taller than 6 feet must have at least 3 cross members.
• Opacity and Finished Side: The municipal code does not specify an opacity requirement or a finished-side requirement for standard residential fences.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Subdivision covenants, deed restrictions, and HOA rules operate independently of city rules and may be more restrictive.
The Unified Development Code specifically recommends reviewing subdivision covenants, if applicable, before applying for a building permit.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Permit Review: The Permits & Inspections Division and the Planning and Zoning office review fence applications for required permits, zoning signoff, and site-plan completeness.
• Height and Setback Review: The city’s published permit materials state that fence permits are checked for proper height and setback compliance before issuance.
• Site Condition Review: Published review materials identify property lines, front, side, and rear setbacks, utility and drainage easements, and similar site constraints as part of permit and site-plan review.
• Special Exception Review: Residential fences up to 8 feet within city limits require special exception approval rather than routine approval as of right.
• Visibility Review: Fences, walls, hedges, or similar obstructions near intersections are subject to the clear visibility triangle standards.
• Maintenance Complaints: The Unified Development Code requires fences to be maintained in good repair, and the Property Standards Division handles complaint-based enforcement of basic maintenance standards on private property.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Bossier City, based on publicly available materials reviewed as of March 2026.
In addition to local fence rules, certain Louisiana laws apply statewide. See Statewide fence laws in Louisiana.
It is not legal advice and does not replace official ordinances, permits, surveys, or professional guidance. Rules and interpretations may change, and application may vary based on zoning district, site conditions, easements, rights-of-way, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with Permits & Inspections Division and the Planning and Zoning office and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Bossier City staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.