Pulling a fence permit in South Florida is one of those steps homeowners often try to skip, then regret. This guide walks you through what’s required across Broward and Palm Beach counties, what permits cost, what documentation you need, and what actually happens if you build without one.

When You Need a Permit

In nearly every city across Broward and Palm Beach, you need a permit for:

Any fence over 4 feet in height
Any pool barrier fence, regardless of height (required by Florida Building Code 424)
Any fence on a corner lot or front yard where visibility is restricted
Any commercial property fence regardless of height
Any fence on a property with a historic preservation overlay

For fences under 4 feet on the side or rear of a residential property, some cities allow installation without a permit, but virtually every HOA still requires one for record-keeping, and we recommend pulling one anyway. The cost is low and it eliminates the risk of a future inspector requiring you to tear down an unpermitted fence.

Permit Costs by City (2026)

City	Standard Residential Fence Permit	Processing Time
Coral Springs	$130	7-14 business days
Boca Raton	$115-150	5-10 business days
Fort Lauderdale	$135-180	7-12 business days
Pompano Beach	$125	7-14 business days
Delray Beach	$140	5-12 business days
Parkland	$145	7-12 business days
Hollywood	$140	7-14 business days
Plantation	$120	5-10 business days
Davie	$110	7-14 business days
Wellington	$135	10-15 business days
Jupiter	$150	7-12 business days
West Palm Beach	$145	10-14 business days
Unincorporated Broward County	$115-175	10-15 business days
Unincorporated Palm Beach County	$120-180	10-15 business days

Commercial fence permits run higher (typically $175 to $450) and require commercial-grade material specifications.

What Documents Are Required

For most South Florida residential fence permits, the city will ask for:

Completed permit application (available online or at the Building Division)
Site plan or survey showing the proposed fence location with setbacks marked
Elevation drawing showing fence height, material, and style
Material specification sheet from the manufacturer
HOA approval letter (if applicable)
Contractor license verification
Notice of Commencement (recorded with the county clerk) for projects over $2,500

Xtreme Fence handles all of this paperwork for our customers, you just sign the application.

What Happens If You Skip the Permit

Building a fence without the required permit creates four real problems:

Stop-work order: If a neighbor complains or an inspector drives by during install, you get a stop-work order. Work halts until you apply for the permit (now retroactively, often with a 2x penalty fee).
Forced removal: In some cases, an unpermitted fence that does not meet setback or height code can be ordered to be removed at your expense.
Closing problems: When you sell the house, the title company runs an open-permit search. Unpermitted improvements show up as red flags that delay closing. You will end up having to pull the permit retroactively anyway, but now under time pressure.
Insurance claim denial: If your fence is damaged by a storm and you file an insurance claim, the insurer can deny coverage if the fence was unpermitted.

HOA Approval vs Building Permit

These are two separate processes you usually need both of. The building permit is the legal authority to install (issued by the city or county Building Division). HOA approval is contractual authority based on your community’s covenants. HOA approval typically must come first, because the city will sometimes ask for the HOA approval letter as part of the permit application.

Pool Fence Permits

Pool barrier fences are non-negotiable in Florida. Florida Building Code 424 requires:

Minimum 48 inches tall above grade (some local codes require 54 inches)
No openings wider than 4 inches (so a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through)
Self-closing self-latching gate with hardware mounted at least 54 inches above the ground
No structural climb assists (like horizontal rails close to the ground)

Pool fence permits cost the same as standard fence permits but require an additional inspection after install to verify code compliance. See our Florida pool fence law guide for the full requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pull my own fence permit as a homeowner?

Yes in most cities, if you are installing the fence yourself on your own property. But most homeowners hire a contractor, in which case the contractor pulls the permit under their license. This protects you from liability if the install is non-compliant.

How long is a fence permit valid?

Most South Florida fence permits are valid for 6 months after issuance, with provisions for renewal if you have not started work. Once work begins, you typically have 12 months to complete and pass final inspection.

What if my neighbor objects to the fence?

Neighbor objections do not block a permit if your fence meets code and is on your property. If the fence is on the shared property line, some cities require neighbor notification or written consent. Property line disputes go through the courts, not the Building Division.

Does the city inspect my fence after install?

Yes for permitted projects. Final inspection verifies fence height, setback, post-footing depth, and (for pool fences) gate hardware compliance. Most inspections take 15 to 30 minutes and happen within 1 to 3 business days of install completion.

Need Help With Your Fence Permit?

Xtreme Fence handles all permit paperwork as part of every quoted project. Contact us or call (954) 851-6610 to get started.

City-specific permit guides:

Fence permits and installation in your South Florida community:

Fence Permits in South Florida: Complete 2026 Guide