Fencing and wall permits in Tucson

Updated July 2026

Fence and wall permitting around Tucson depends on both height and which authority covers your address, since the City of Tucson and unincorporated Pima County apply separate rules.

City of Tucson: when a fence or wall needs a permit

Under the City of Tucson's Unified Development Code, a wall or fence within a perimeter (side or rear) yard maxes out at 6 feet, though it can go up to 10 feet if at least 75 percent of the area above 6 feet is left open through architectural elements like arches, columns, or wrought iron. Front-yard fences are held to a lower limit. Multiple published summaries of the city's rules suggest a small-job exemption from a full building permit may apply for a standard residential fence at or under roughly 7 feet, though it still needs to meet zoning setback and height standards, while a taller fence needs a full permit with structural engineering review. Permits are also generally required regardless of height for pool barrier fences, retaining walls, and any fence that exceeds its zone's height limit. Because this project sits right at a threshold that affects whether you need a permit at all, confirm the current rule and any applicable exemption for your exact fence with Tucson Planning & Development Services (PDSD) directly before you build.

Unincorporated Pima County: a different rulebook

If your address is outside Tucson city limits, in unincorporated Pima County, a different set of standards applies through Pima County Development Services. General guidance suggests a wall or fence up to roughly 7 feet can typically serve as a security, privacy, or screening element, with somewhat greater height allowed on larger lots, and that fences above a certain height generally need to be built of a durable material such as masonry or rock rather than temporary materials like tarps or hardware cloth. A fence in a floodplain also needs a separate floodplain use permit processed through the county's Floodplain Management staff. Permit fees and exact height thresholds vary by project, so confirm the current rules and fee with Pima County Development Services directly.

Who is the local authority

For a Tucson city address, City of Tucson Planning & Development Services (PDSD) is the Authority Having Jurisdiction. For an unincorporated Pima County address, Pima County Development Services is the Authority Having Jurisdiction instead, and it is a separate office with a separate process. If you are not sure which one covers your property, either office can tell you, or your fencing contractor should know before they pull a permit.

What happens if you skip a required permit

An unpermitted wall or fence that should have had one can complicate a home sale if a buyer's inspector flags it, may not be covered by insurance if it fails and causes damage, and skips the inspection that confirms the structure meets code and won't fall on someone. A licensed contractor pulling the correct permit from the correct office is part of what you are paying for.

Frequently asked questions