FENCE RULES – THIBODAUX (CITY), LOUISIANA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Thibodaux, subject to local regulations.
The principal residential fence standards for the City of Thibodaux appear in Section 608. Visibility at Intersections and Screening and Section 609. Fences of the City of Thibodaux Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. The City also publishes fence-specific permit materials through Building and Inspection Permits, including a Fencing Permit application, a Fence Permit Information sheet, and a Permits Required sheet.
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 City of Thibodaux Code of Ordinances, the City of Thibodaux Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, the Building and Inspection Permits page, the Fencing Permit application, the Fence Permit Information sheet, the Permits Required sheet, and the Planning and Zoning Board page as of March 2026.
GOVERNANCE
Residential fence administration in the City of Thibodaux is handled through Building and Inspection Permits within the Department of Public Works. Zoning administration is associated with the Zoning Administrator and the Planning and Zoning Board.
The controlling fence standards for standard residential lots appear primarily in Section 608. Visibility at Intersections and Screening and Section 609. Fences of the City of Thibodaux Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. The municipal code also carries the local building-permit exemptions for small fence repairs and very low fences, along with the local $23.00 fence permit fee. Permit intake and project submittal requirements appear in the City’s published fence-permit documents.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit Requirement: A building permit is required for the construction of fences.
• Low-Fence Exemption: A Building Permit is not required for standard residential fences less than thirty (30) inches in height, as stated in the sources compiled for this page.
• Repair Exemption: Building permits are not required for fence repair not to exceed a total of twenty-five (25) linear feet.
• Who May Apply: Only property owners or licensed fence contractors are allowed to apply for permits to construct fences.
• Application Materials: The published fence materials require a completed application, a site plan, and an 8 1/2 x 11 dimensional plat showing servitudes if any, the proposed fence location, existing structures on the lot, the material to be used, and the approximate project cost.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with Zoning Administrator before construction.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Required Yards: Fences and walls may be permitted in any required yard or along the edge of any yard, subject to the ordinance’s stated height limits.
• 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.
• Required Easements: No wall or fence may be located within any required drainage, utility, or similar easement.
• Servitude Risk: The City’s fence information sheet states that fences constructed within or crossing servitudes are at the owner’s risk, and the owner is responsible for moving the fence if a utility wants access to use the servitude.
• Masonry in Servitudes: Masonry walls or columns within servitudes require approval from city engineering and the utility agencies.
• 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: A fence or wall may be up to eight (8) feet in height.
• Front Yard Edge: A fence or wall along the front edge of any required front yard must not exceed two and one-half (2.5) feet in height.
• Corner Lots: On corner lots, nothing may be erected, placed, planted, or allowed to grow more than thirty (30) inches in height above the center line grade of the intersecting street within the area bounded by the street lines and a line joining points fifty (50) feet from the point of intersection. Street trees within that area must be kept free of foliage for ten (10) feet measured up from the base of the tree.
• Driveway Intersections: At the intersection of a driveway and a street, nothing may be erected, placed, planted, or allowed to grow more than thirty (30) inches in height within fifteen (15) feet of the intersection. Street trees within that area must be kept free of foliage for seven (7) feet measured up from the base of the tree.
• Swimming Pool Enclosures: Swimming pools or other outside bodies of water with a depth greater than eighteen (18) inches must be completely enclosed with fence or walls not less than five (5) feet in height, with no openings greater than four (4) inches. Gates must be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices. No variance of this section shall be granted.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Allowed Materials: Fences and walls must be constructed of high quality materials including one or a combination of decorative blocks, brick, stone, cast-stone, split-faced block, stucco over standard concrete masonry blocks, treated wood, wrought iron, chain link, or other material approved by the Administrator.
• Concrete Block Limit: No wall containing more than 50 percent exposed standard concrete masonry blocks may be allowed, whether painted or not.
• Prohibited Fence Types: Electrified fences and concertina wire are not allowed.
• Maintenance Standard: All fences must be maintained in a clean, orderly, and stable condition.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Homeowners association covenants, subdivision restrictions, and other private agreements operate independently of City of Thibodaux regulations and may be more restrictive than the City’s published fence standards.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Beginning fence construction without the required building permit, outside the published exemptions for very low fences and limited repairs.
• Installing a fence or wall that exceeds eight (8) feet in height, or exceeds two and one-half (2.5) feet in height along the front edge of a required front yard.
• Creating a sight obstruction above thirty (30) inches within the ordinance’s corner-lot or driveway-intersection visibility areas.
• Placing a wall or fence within a required drainage, utility, or similar easement.
• Installing electrified fencing, concertina wire, or a wall with more than 50 percent exposed standard concrete masonry blocks.
• Failing to maintain a fence in a clean, orderly, and stable condition.
• Failing to maintain a required swimming-pool fence, gate, or door in the condition required by the ordinance.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Thibodaux, 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 Building and Inspection Permits and Zoning Administrator and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Thibodaux staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.