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Fence height rules in Reading, Massachusetts

Reading, Middlesex County · Bylaws checked 2026-10-20 · Reviewed · 9 cited sections

Allowed

Reading's zoning sets no maximum fence height and no setback. Fences are exempt from yard requirements and may go in the front yard. A building permit is needed for a tall fence, but town documents disagree on the cutoff: the zoning bylaw says over 6 feet, while the Building Division says 7 feet. Near wetlands, or in the Historic District, you need Conservation or Historic District Commission approval.

Front yardFences allowed (exempt from the front-yard ban on accessory structures) [1]
Setback from property linesNone. Fences are exempt from front, side and rear yard requirements [2]
Building permit (Zoning Bylaw)Fence exceeding 6 feet [2]
Building permit (Building Division)Fence over 7 feet (2026 checklist: 7 feet and over) [3]
Finished sideNo rule on which way the fence faces [3]
Near wetlandsNo fences within 10 ft of the Zone of Natural Vegetation without Conservation Commission relief [6]
Zone of Natural Vegetation width (near wetlands)Normally at least 25 feet [9]

Height and location

Under Zoning Bylaw §5.5.1.1, accessory structures can't go in the required front yard, except flagpoles and fences [1]. Fences are also exempt from the front, side and rear yard requirements, so the zoning bylaw sets no fence setback. It doesn't set a maximum fence height either [2]. The Building Division says a fence may go close to the property line, as long as you can maintain it without going onto your neighbor's land. There's no rule on which side faces out [3]. We found no corner-lot sight-line rule for residential fences in the zoning bylaw.

When you need a building permit: 6 or 7 feet?

Two town sources give different answers:

  • Zoning Bylaw §5.5.1.1.b: a building permit is required for a fence exceeding six feet in height [2].
  • Building Division: a permit is required for a fence over 7 feet, following the State Building Code (780 CMR) [3]. Its 2026 permit checklist says 7 feet and over [4].

The CPDC's proposed ADU amendments for the November 9, 2026 Town Meeting would raise the zoning bylaw's permit threshold from six feet to seven feet [7]. That's a proposal only, not yet adopted. Until then, if your fence will be taller than 6 feet, check with the Building Division before you build.

Other approvals

  • Conservation Commission: the Building Division and the 2026 checklist both say to get Conservation approval [3][4]. Near a wetland, the Commission normally requires a no-disturb Zone of Natural Vegetation at least 25 feet wide [9]. No fences are allowed within 10 feet of that zone [6]. A fence that isn't a barrier to wildlife can qualify as an administrative "Minor Project" [8].
  • Historic District Commission: any size fence in the Historic District needs approval [4].
  • Engineering: the Building Division lists Engineering (781-942-9082) for town approval [3].

See how Reading compares with 8+ other Massachusetts towns on fences →

Next steps

  1. Decide on the height. If it will be over 6 feet, call the Building Division (781-942-6613) to confirm whether you need a building permit.
  2. Call Conservation (781-942-6616) to check whether your yard is within 100 feet of a wetland, pond or stream. Ask about Minor Project approval if needed.
  3. If you're in the Historic District, get Historic District Commission approval (781-942-6654) before installing any fence.
  4. Set the fence so you can maintain both sides from your own property.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a fence in Reading, MA?
It depends on height. Reading's zoning bylaw requires a building permit for a fence over 6 feet, while the Building Division says over 7 feet (its 2026 checklist says 7 feet and over). If your fence will be taller than 6 feet, check with the Building Division first.
How close to the property line can a fence be in Reading, Massachusetts?
Reading's zoning sets no fence setback; fences are exempt from front, side and rear yard requirements. The Building Division says a fence can go close to the line as long as you can maintain it without going onto your neighbor's property.
Can I put a fence in my front yard in Reading, Massachusetts?
Yes. Fences are an exception to the zoning bylaw's ban on accessory structures in the required front yard, and Reading's zoning sets no maximum fence height.
Which side of the fence faces out in Reading, MA?
Reading has no rule on which way a fence faces, according to the Building Division.
Do I need approval for a fence near wetlands in Reading, Massachusetts?
Yes. Conservation approval applies, and no fences are allowed within 10 feet of the Zone of Natural Vegetation, which is normally at least 25 feet wide. A fence that isn't a wildlife barrier can qualify as a Minor Project. Any fence in the Historic District needs Historic District Commission approval.

Massachusetts state rules on fences

Most fence rules in Massachusetts are local, set in your town's zoning bylaw and sometimes historic-district rules. A few state laws apply everywhere:

  • Building permit: the State Building Code (780 CMR, 10th edition) does not require a building permit for fences 7 feet high or less. Taller fences need one. Zoning height limits and setbacks still apply, and many towns cap fences at 6 feet.
  • Spite fences: under M.G.L. c. 49, §21, a fence that unnecessarily exceeds 6 feet and is maliciously put up or kept to annoy a neighbor is a private nuisance. The neighbor can sue for damages.
  • Fence viewers: every town must appoint fence viewers each year (c. 49, §1). Where adjoining owners both enclose and use their land, they share the upkeep of the partition fence equally unless they agree otherwise. If one side won't repair their share, the other can complain to the fence viewers, who can order the repair (c. 49, §§3–4). By statute, a "legal and sufficient" fence is 4 feet high and in good repair (c. 49, §2).
  • Pool fences must meet the state pool barrier rules (see Pools).
  • Wetlands: fence work in a wetland or within 100 feet of one may need Conservation Commission review.

State sources: M.G.L. c. 49, §21 (spite fences) · M.G.L. c. 49, §1 (fence viewers) · M.G.L. c. 49, §2 (legal and sufficient fences) · M.G.L. c. 49, §3 (partition fence maintenance) · M.G.L. c. 49, §4 (fence viewer proceedings) · 780 CMR 10th ed., Residential Chapter 1, R105.2 (work exempt from permit)

What the bylaw says

Exact text from Reading's published bylaws. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. §5.5.1.1.a, Town of Reading Zoning Bylaw ('Zoning Bylaw - April 2025', last amended by the April 28, 2025 ATM Art. 16), p. 43
    a An accessory building or structure shall not be permitted within a Required Front Yard, with the exception of flagpoles and fences.
  2. §5.5.1.1.b, Town of Reading Zoning Bylaw ('Zoning Bylaw - April 2025', last amended by the April 28, 2025 ATM Art. 16), p. 43
    b Flagpoles of a height less than 20 feet and fences shall be exempt from the front, side and rear yard requirements set forth in Section 6.0. A building permit shall be required for a flagpole exceeding 20 feet or a fence exceeding six feet in height.
  3. Fence, Building Division - Permitting & Application Information (sheds/accessory structures, fences, pools, hot tubs, ADU, setbacks), p. 1
    For a fence over 7' in height a building permit is required. There are no regulations regarding which way the fence is installed. The State Building Code, 780 CMR regulates the height of the fence.
  4. Fences, Inspectional Services - Procedure for Building Permits 2026 (residential checklist incl. sheds, fences, pools), p. 1
    Fences – Building Permit Required if fence is 7’ and over o Conservation approval 781.942.6616 o Historic District Commission approval required for any size fence if property located in the District
  5. Fence, Building Division - Permitting & Application Information (sheds/accessory structures, fences, pools, hot tubs, ADU, setbacks), p. 1
    The fence can be installed close to the property line, as long as you are able to maintain the fence without accessing your neighbor's property.
  6. Section 3D.4 Zone of Natural Vegetation, Reading Conservation Commission Wetlands Protection Regulations (December 2023), p. 11
    4 To protect the integrity of the Zone of Natural Vegetation or No-Disturb Zone, including the associated root system and canopy, no new structures or fixtures that may not require a building permit, including, but not limited to, foundations, footings, frost walls, retaining walls, pools and pool equipment, fences, patios, sports courts, driveways, sheds, or other in-ground fixtures, shall be permitted within ten feet of the ZNV.
  7. PROPOSED §5.5.1.1.b (Oct 5, 2026 draft; inserted text only, read from the track changes), PROPOSED Zoning Bylaw ADU amendments - CPDC public hearing draft with track changes, October 5, 2026 (for the November 2026 Subsequent Town Meeting), p. 22
    A building permit shall be required for a flagpole exceeding 20 feet or a fence exceeding seven (7) feet in height.
  8. Section 4G.3 Minor Projects, Reading Conservation Commission Wetlands Protection Regulations (December 2023), p. 15
    b Installation of fencing or free-standing stone walls, provided that they will not constitute a barrier to wildlife movement;
  9. Section 3D.2 Zone of Natural Vegetation, Reading Conservation Commission Wetlands Protection Regulations (December 2023), p. 11
    2 Under most conditions, a zone width of a minimum of twenty-five feet would be considered sufficient to accomplish this purpose.
This page summarizes Reading's posted bylaws as of 2026-10-20. Bylaws are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Building Division / Inspectional Services, Public Services Department (Building Inspector/Commissioner is the Zoning Bylaw enforcement officer, Zoning Bylaw s.4.2), Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading MA 01867 (Mon-Thu 7:00 AM-5:30 PM, closed Fridays); Permits Coordinator 781-942-6620; Conservation 781-942-6616; Public Health 781-942-9061; Planning/CPDC 781-942-6670 (781-942-6613) before you build. Spot an error?