FENCE RULES – VERNON (PARISH), LOUISIANA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within Vernon Parish, subject to local regulations.
This page applies to properties in the unincorporated areas of Vernon Parish; incorporated municipalities regulate fences under their own ordinances.
For unincorporated residential property, the principal fence standards appear in the Vernon Parish Development Code, especially Sec. 11.4.4.E, Fencing and Walls, with related provisions in Sec. 9.1.4, Setbacks, the Rural Corridor Overlay District, Article 14, Subdivision Standards, Article 15, Administration, and Article 16, Definitions. The Development Code’s user guide also states that the development and use standards in the code do not apply to tracts zoned R or Rural, and that Article 14 applies to those tracts.
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 Vernon Parish Development Code, the Vernon Parish Police Jury permit page, and Rapides Area Planning Commission building code enforcement materials as of March 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The governing authority for unincorporated Vernon Parish is the Vernon Parish Police Jury, which adopted the Vernon Parish Development Code.
Zoning administration under the Development Code is handled through the Administrator, who keeps the Official Zoning Map on file and is authorized to interpret zoning-map boundaries. The Development Code’s administration procedures appear in Article 15.
Building permit and building code administration for Vernon Parish are currently handled by the Rapides Area Planning Commission (RAPC) under the Vernon Parish Police Jury’s published permit guidance.
Vernon Parish does not publish a single fence chapter that applies identically across all unincorporated parcels. Residential fence rules are instead drawn from Sec. 11.4.4.E, Fencing and Walls, related setback and overlay provisions, and the current permit administration materials. A separate scope issue applies to tracts zoned R or Rural, because the Development Code user guide states that the code’s development and use standards do not apply to those tracts.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit: Vernon Parish’s current permit guidance states that the parish requires building permits for all new construction, and published permit administration is handled through RAPC.
• Zoning Permit: Under Article 15 of the Vernon Parish Development Code, a zoning permit is required before constructing, altering, moving, or repairing a structure. Article 16 defines structure to include fences and walls.
• Rural District Scope: The Development Code user guide states that the code’s development and use standards do not apply to tracts zoned R or Rural. The materials reviewed for this page do not publish a separate fence-permit section for those tracts.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
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.
• Setback Encroachments: The Development Code allows fences and walls within otherwise required setbacks, subject to the fence standards in Sec. 11.4.4.E.
• Easements: A fence or wall may not be located within any required drainage, utility, or similar easement.
• Setback Measurement: Front and side-street setbacks are measured from the edge of the right-of-way.
• 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 Height Limit: For parcels governed by Sec. 11.4.4.E, a fence or wall may not exceed 9 feet in height.
• Front Yard Height: For parcels governed by Sec. 11.4.4.E, a fence or wall in a required front yard or front setback may not exceed 4 feet in height.
• Front Yard Walls: A wall in a required front yard or front setback must be a highly transparent decorative wall not more than 3 feet in height.
• Visibility Areas: In identified clear-sight areas at street intersections and driveway-and-street intersections, a fence that exceeds 36 inches in height and obstructs visibility is unlawful.
• Rural Corridor Overlay District: A fence within the required street buffer must be no more than 50 percent opaque.
• Rural Districts: The municipal code does not specify a separate general residential fence height limit for tracts zoned R or Rural in the materials reviewed for this page.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Permitted Materials: For parcels governed by Sec. 11.4.4.E, fence and wall materials are limited to high-quality materials, including decorative block, brick, stone, cast stone, split-faced block, stucco over standard concrete masonry block, treated wood, wrought iron, or a similar material approved by the Administrator.
• Exposed Concrete Block: A wall may contain no more than 50 percent exposed standard concrete masonry block, whether painted or unpainted.
• Prohibited Wire: Electrified fences, barbed wire, and concertina wire are prohibited.
• Chain-Link Location: Chain-link fencing is prohibited in any front yard setback and any street-facing side setback.
• Continuous Length: The maximum length of a continuous, unbroken, uninterrupted fence or wall plane is 100 feet. Breaks must be created by columns, landscaped areas, transparent sections, or a change in material.
• Rural Corridor Overlay District: Within the required street buffer, the fence must be rural in character. In that street buffer, chain-link, vinyl, and wood privacy fences are prohibited.
• Rural Districts: The municipal code does not specify a separate general residential fence material standard for tracts zoned R or Rural in the materials reviewed for this page.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Private restrictions such as HOA covenants, subdivision restrictions, acts of sale, and recorded servitudes operate independently from parish fence rules and may be more restrictive.
Compliance with Vernon Parish requirements does not eliminate the need to comply with applicable private restrictions.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• A fence or wall exceeding 9 feet in height on property governed by Sec. 11.4.4.E.
• A fence exceeding 4 feet in a required front yard or front setback on property governed by Sec. 11.4.4.E.
• A front-yard wall that is not a highly transparent decorative wall or that exceeds 3 feet in height.
• A fence or wall placed within a required drainage, utility, or similar easement.
• Chain-link fencing located in a front yard setback or street-facing side setback.
• Use of electrified fencing, barbed wire, or concertina wire.
• A continuous, unbroken fence or wall plane longer than 100 feet without the required break in design or material.
• A fence over 36 inches in height that obstructs an identified clear-sight area at a street intersection or driveway-and-street intersection.
• A fence in the Rural Corridor Overlay District street buffer that exceeds the opacity limit or uses prohibited materials.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within Vernon Parish, 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 Rapides Area Planning Commission (RAPC) and the Vernon Parish Administrator and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from Vernon Parish staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.