FENCE RULES – HAMMOND (CITY), LOUISIANA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Hammond, subject to local regulations.
The principal residential fence standards for the City of Hammond appear in Section 3.1.2 Permit Required and Section 4.1.8 Fences, Shrubs and Buffer Zones of the City of Hammond, LA Unified Development Code. Additional fence approval and design rules apply within the Hammond Historical District under Section 8.1 and the published historic district design guidelines.
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.
Properties within the Hammond Historical District are subject to additional review by the historic district commission for fence-related exterior work.
Compiled From the City of Hammond, LA Unified Development Code, City Ordinance & Minute Books, the City of Hammond Building page, the City of Hammond Planning page, the Hammond Historic District ordinance, FAQs, and applications pages, and the Hammond Historic District Design Guidelines as of March 2026.
GOVERNANCE
Residential fence administration in the City of Hammond is split between the Hammond Building Department, Planning & Zoning, and the Hammond Historic District Commission where historic district review applies.
The primary fence rules for standard residential lots appear in the City of Hammond, LA Unified Development Code, especially Section 3.1.2 Permit Required, Section 4.1.8 Fences, Shrubs and Buffer Zones, and the code definition of Fence. Historic district approval rules appear in Section 8.1.10 Submission of plans for exterior changes to commission and Section 8.1.11 Certificate of appropriateness, together with the published Hammond Historic District Design Guidelines.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Fence Permit: The City of Hammond, LA Unified Development Code lists a Fence Permit as a required permit, and states that before placement of a fence, a fence permit must be obtained from the Hammond Building Department.
• City Review of Design and Location: The Unified Development Code states that the fence design and proposed location or placement on the parcel, as indicated on a survey or parcel map, must be approved by the City.
• No Published Height Exemption: The adopted materials reviewed for this page do not publish a height-based exemption from the local fence permit requirement.
• Historic District Review: For work affecting a site or structure in the Hammond Historical District, the historic ordinance states that fence-related exterior work must be submitted to the commission, and no building permit may be authorized without a Certificate of Appropriateness.
• Historic District Submittals: The published design guidelines state that the commission requires a site plan locating the fence or wall configuration and a scaled elevation drawing or photograph of proposed fencing.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with Planning & Zoning before construction.
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.
• Servitudes and Rights-of-Way: The Unified Development Code states that no building, fence, structure, or improvements may be constructed or installed within or over any servitude or right-of-way so as to prevent or interfere with the purpose for which it was granted.
• Front Building Line: The Unified Development Code prohibits woven wire fencing beyond the front building line of the principal dwelling on the site.
• Street Right-of-Way and Intersection Clearance: No fence may extend into a street right-of-way, and no fence may obstruct, in whole or in part, the sight clearance needed at intersections for safety as determined by the City, the State, or another applicable governing authority.
• Historic District Placement Guidance: In the Hammond Historical District, the published design guidelines state that new fences or walls generally should be constructed to follow property lines and not to abut existing structures.
• 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
• Intersection Visibility: No fence, shrub, or plant material more than 3 feet above grade at the centerline of the street may be located within 30 feet of a street intersection.
• Front Yard Height: In the front yard, wood, metal other than chain-link or barbed wire, decorative wrought iron, simulated wrought iron, and masonry fences may have a maximum height of 4 feet.
• Behind the Front Building Setback Area: Solid fences of stone, vinyl, stucco, wood, concrete, or woven wire may be up to 8 feet in height on those parts of a lot that are as far back or farther back than the required front building setback line, or the front point of the primary structure, whichever distance is greater.
• Fence Height Measurement: The Unified Development Code measures fence height using the greater of the measurements taken from the ground on each side of the fence to the top of the fence.
• Historic District, Front and Side Yards: In the Hammond Historical District, the published design guidelines state that front and side yard fences generally shall not exceed 3 feet in height. When measuring height, the guidelines state that all fence elements, including posts, are counted.
• Historic District, Rear Yards: In the Hammond Historical District, rear yard fences shall not exceed 6 feet in height and may not extend forward of the rear wall of the structure.
• Historic District, Front-Yard Screening: In the Hammond Historical District, fences or walls higher than 3 feet may not be used to screen front yards. Privacy fences must be limited to side and rear yards and not exceed 6 feet in height.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Front Yard Materials: Front-yard fences are limited to wood, metal other than chain-link or barbed wire, decorative wrought iron, simulated wrought iron, or masonry.
• Rear and Side Yard Solid Fence Materials: Behind the front building setback area, solid fences may be constructed of stone, vinyl, stucco, wood, concrete, or woven wire.
• Barbed Wire: Barbed wire fencing may not be used within residential districts of the City.
• Wire Fence Construction: Wire fences must have galvanized pipe supports of at least 1.5 inches in diameter, placed no more than 7 feet apart.
• Wood Fencing: Wood fencing material must be weatherproofed wood.
• Hedges and Shrubs: Solid hedges or shrubs planted to form a barrier and serve the same purpose as an erected fence are treated as fences under the code.
• Historic District Materials: In the Hammond Historical District, the published design guidelines state that contemporary fence or wall materials such as vinyl and chain link fencing are not permitted. The same guidelines state that traditional materials such as wood or brick are recommended for privacy walls and fences.
• Historic District Picket Fences: In the Hammond Historical District, new picket fences must be substantially open in character and painted white or a color appropriate to the building.
• Historic District Utilitarian Fences: In the Hammond Historical District, utilitarian fences are not permitted in the front yard and are to be restricted to rear yards and screened from view.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
HOA rules, subdivision covenants, and private servitudes operate independently of municipal regulations and may be more restrictive than the City of Hammond code.
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: Required fence permit review includes City review of the fence design and proposed location or placement on the parcel.
• Visibility and Traffic Safety: Review can be triggered by fences, shrubs, or plant material over 3 feet within 30 feet of a street intersection, or by any fence that obstructs sight clearance at intersections.
• Right-of-Way or Servitude Encroachment: Review can be triggered where a fence extends into a street right-of-way or interferes with the purpose of a servitude or right-of-way.
• Maintenance: The Unified Development Code places responsibility for maintaining the condition of the fence on the property owner.
• Historic District Work: In the Hammond Historical District, fence-related exterior work is reviewed by the historic district commission, and the historic ordinance states that work attempted without or contrary to the required permit may be stopped.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Hammond, 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 Hammond Building Department and Planning & Zoning and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Hammond staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.