Fence height rules in Camden, Maine
Camden's zoning limits fences inside any required front, side or rear setback to 6 ft tall. Fences aren't counted as "structures," so building setbacks don't apply and the ordinance doesn't stop a fence at the property line; it also sets no separate front-yard limit and no corner-lot sight-line rule. Our copy of the zoning ordinance only runs through June 2022.
| Max height within any required setback (front, side or rear) | 6 feet [1] |
| Counts as a "structure" for setbacks? | No, fences are excluded [2] |
| View corridor fences (east side of Main and Bay View Streets) | Must be open construction [3] |
Height
Camden's only general fence rule is short: a fence inside a required front, back or side setback can't be taller than 6 ft [1]. The same 6 ft limit applies in the front yard as in the side and rear yards. The fence rule doesn't set a limit outside the setback areas, for example close to the house.
Location and setbacks
The zoning definition of "structure" expressly excludes fences [2]. That means the front, side and rear setbacks that apply to buildings and sheds don't apply to a fence. A fence can be built along the property line as long as it meets the 6 ft limit. Make sure you know where your line actually is, since a survey may be worth it before you build on it.
Special areas
In the downtown business district on the east side of Main and Bay View Streets, any fence within the required harbor view corridor must be of open construction [3]. Similar view-corridor language applies in the Harbor Business and Transitional Harbor Business districts. In the shoreland zone, the vegetation-clearing limits still apply to any clearing you do to install a fence.
Permits
Camden requires a building permit for building or structure work worth more than $2,000 within 12 months, or work that needs a permit under the state building code [4]. Because fences aren't "structures" under the zoning definition, a typical fence may not need a zoning permit, but the ordinance doesn't say so directly. Ask Code Enforcement.
Not addressed
The zoning text we have doesn't regulate corner-lot sight lines for fences, materials, or which side must face out. Our copy includes amendments only through June 14, 2022.
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Next steps
- Confirm your property lines (a survey is the surest way) before building on or near the line.
- Keep any fence inside a front, side or rear setback area to 6 ft or less.
- Call Camden Code Enforcement (207-236-3353 ext. 7112) to confirm whether your fence needs a permit, especially if it's on the waterfront or downtown.
Common questions
- How tall can a fence be in Camden, Maine?
- A fence inside any required front, side or rear setback can't be taller than 6 ft. The same limit applies in the front yard, and the ordinance sets no separate front-yard limit.
- Do I need a permit for a fence in Camden, Maine?
- It's unclear. Fences aren't counted as structures under the zoning definition, so a typical fence may not need a zoning permit, but the ordinance doesn't say so directly. Ask Code Enforcement.
- Can I build a fence on the property line in Camden, Maine?
- Probably. Fences are excluded from the definition of structure, so building setbacks don't apply and the ordinance doesn't stop a fence at the property line if it meets the 6 ft limit. A survey may be worth it first.
- Are there special fence rules downtown in Camden, Maine?
- Yes. In the downtown business district on the east side of Main and Bay View Streets, any fence within the required harbor view corridor must be of open construction.
Maine state fence laws
Maine has no statewide fence height or setback limit. Those come from your town's zoning. A few state laws still apply:
Spite fences (17 M.R.S. §2801): A fence, or anything that works like one, that is unnecessarily taller than 6 feet and is maliciously kept up to annoy the neighbors is a private nuisance. The neighbor can take legal action over it.
Boundary fences and fence viewers (30-A M.R.S. §2951 and following):
- A "legal fence" is one 4 feet high and in good repair, made of rails, timber, stone, iron or wire, or the equivalent as judged by fence viewers.
- When both neighbors' land is enclosed and in use, they share upkeep of the dividing fence equally.
- If one side won't repair their share, the other can call in the town's fence viewers. The viewers can order repairs within up to 30 days. If the repairs still aren't made, the neighbor can do the work and recover double the cost.
- These rules mostly matter for farm and pasture fencing.
Shoreland zone: The DEP's model shoreland ordinance doesn't count fences as "structures," so the water setbacks for buildings don't apply to them. Limits on clearing vegetation near the water still do.
Pools: Pool barrier requirements are covered on the Pools page.
What the ordinance says
- §290-10A.7, Fences, Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 290) - town PDF, p. 138
Fences located within a required front, back or side setback area shall not exceed six feet in height.
- §290-3.2, Definitions: Structure, Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 290) - town PDF, p. 21
STRUCTURE — Anything built for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, goods or property of any kind, together with anything constructed or erected with a fixed location on or in the ground, or attached to something having a fixed location on or in the ground, excluding fences, and poles, wiring and other aerial equipment normally associated with service drops as well as guying and guy anchors.
- §290-8.8E(4)(a), Downtown Business District, east side of Main and Bay View Streets, Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 290) - town PDF, p. 73
Any fence in the view corridor shall be of open construction.
- §290-5.2A, Permits required, Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 290) - town PDF, p. 27
Construction, enlargement, alteration, demolition, or moving of any building or structure, including temporary structures, when the fair and reasonable value of such labor and materials used exceeds $2,000 cumulatively within a twelve-month period or work requiring a permit per Sections 105 and R105 of MUBEC.