FENCE RULES – DESOTO (PARISH), LOUISIANA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within DeSoto Parish, subject to local regulations.
This page applies to properties in the unincorporated areas of DeSoto Parish; incorporated municipalities regulate fences under their own ordinances.
In the published parish materials, residential fence rules appear primarily in Chapter 18, Building Codes and Regulations, especially the permit provisions. The codified materials do not include a standalone residential fence ordinance, and the code also notes that zoning ordinances may exist outside the codified code.
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 DeSoto Parish Police Jury Code, the Desoto Parish Permit Office permit application, the DeSoto Parish ordinances webpage, and the DeSoto Parish official website as of March 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The governing authority is the DeSoto Parish Police Jury. The principal published code document is the DeSoto Parish Police Jury Code.
Chapter 18, Building Codes and Regulations is the primary published source for residential fence permit rules. The code creates the parish building department and vests permit and enforcement authority in the building official for the unincorporated parish. The public permit form identifies the Desoto Parish Permit Office, and the official website also identifies the Planning Commission.
DeSoto Parish does not publish a consolidated residential fence chapter for standard single-family lots. In the published materials reviewed for this page, the fence-related rules for residential properties appear chiefly in the building code provisions, with possible planning or zoning considerations addressed separately.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit Exemption: A Building Permit is not required for standard residential fences 6 feet in height or lower, as stated in the sources compiled for this page.
• Building Permit Required: A building permit is required for a standard residential fence over 6 feet in height.
• Permit Administration: Building permit applications are handled through the Desoto Parish Permit Office.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with Planning Commission before construction.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Setbacks: 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.
• Permit Drawings: When a building permit is required, the application materials must include a site plan showing the location of the work and distances from lot lines.
• Published Location Rules: The code does not publish additional residential fence placement standards for standard single-family lots, such as corner-lot fence placement, gate swing, or drainage-specific fence rules.
• 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
• Permit Threshold: The building code exempts fences not over 6 feet in height from building permit requirements.
• Maximum Height: The code does not specify a maximum height for standard residential fences.
• Visibility: The code does not publish a fence-specific sight triangle or intersection visibility rule for standard residential lots.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Materials: The code does not specify permitted or prohibited materials for standard residential fences.
• Construction Standards: The code does not publish fence-specific residential standards for opacity, finished-side orientation, or similar construction details.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Private covenants, deed restrictions, and homeowners association rules operate independently of parish rules and may be more restrictive than parish requirements.
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: Fences over 6 feet in height enter the building permit review process.
• Site Review: When a permit is required, submitted materials must show the location of the work and distances from lot lines.
• Floodplain Review: Properties in mapped special flood hazard areas may also be subject to floodplain development review, and encroachments in regulatory floodways are prohibited unless no-rise standards are met.
• Code Enforcement: Work performed without a required permit, or work that conflicts with approved permit materials, may lead to notices of violation, stop-work orders, or permit suspension or revocation under Chapter 18.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within DeSoto 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 Desoto Parish Permit Office and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from DeSoto Parish staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.