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Fences and walls in Arlington County, VA

Fence height limits come from ACZO § 3.2.6. No building permit is needed for a fence unless it is a pool barrier, but an RPA lot needs county review for any new or replaced fence.

A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Arlington County before you build.

The details

  • See the fence check in SetbackIQ's fence answer for your district's front, side and rear limits.High confidence
  • On a corner lot, nothing between 3 ft and 10 ft above the curb inside the 25 ft corner triangle.High confidence

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SetbackIQ reads the zoning, flood zone, historic district, and environmental maps for your lot. Then it applies these rules.

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Common questions

How tall can a fence or wall be in Arlington County?
Fence height limits come from ACZO § 3.2.6. No building permit is needed for a fence unless it is a pool barrier, but an RPA lot needs county review for any new or replaced fence.

Sources

  1. Arlington County Zoning Ordinance §§ 3.2.5, 3.2.6.A.4, 12.9.9, 12.9.11, 12.9.12, 12.9.16, 12.9.17 and Article 18. Checked 2026-10-21
    [Visual clearance] On any corner lot in an R or RA district there shall be no planting, structure, retaining wall, fence, shrubbery or obstruction to vision between a height of three feet and a height of 10 feet above the curb level within the triangle form…

Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal or professional advice for any one property. Codes change. SetbackIQ is not a zoning determination, a permit, or a survey, and it does not replace an architect, engineer, or lawyer. Confirm with your building and zoning offices before you build, buy, or sign a contract.