Cedar City Fence Guide: Heights, Permits & Blue Stakes

Updated October 25, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency listed before you start work.

Quick reference

Topic	What to know	Source
Side and rear fences	Up to 6 ft along side and rear lines in Cedar City	Cedar City Code 26-IV-4
Front setback	Fences and hedges generally limited to 30 in	26-IV-4
Corner lots	Nothing over 30 in within the 30 ft clear-vision triangle	26-IV-3, 26-IV-4
Right-of-way	Permit from the Building Inspector; 1 ft from sidewalks, 3 ft from hydrants	26-IV-4
Pool fences	At least 4 ft high; openings no larger than 36 sq in	26-IV-9
Digging	Request Blue Stakes markings at least 3 business days ahead; free	Blue Stakes of Utah
Licensing	DOPL license generally needed at $7,000+; fences are in the S330 classification	Utah Code 58-55-305; R156-55a-301

How tall can a fence be in Cedar City?

Cedar City's zoning code allows fences up to 6 feet along side and rear property lines on both interior and corner lots. In the front setback, walls, fences and hedges are generally limited to 30 inches. Where two lots sit at different grades, the code lets the fence go to the maximum height allowed on either side of the line. Fences around tennis courts, pools and similar recreation areas can be taller, up to 12 feet, but can't sit in front, side or street-side setbacks.

What are the corner lot rules?

Corner lots have a clear-vision triangle formed 30 feet back from the intersection. In the front setbacks, nothing over 30 inches can block the view of drivers there. Where a corner-lot fence meets a driveway, it has to be held back from a 5-by-15-foot triangle on each side of the drive, and a 10-foot triangle applies where a neighbor's drive approach is within 10 feet of the rear line. Chain link and other non-obstructing fences can go to 30 inches in street-facing setbacks and can't be closed off with plants or inserted material.

When do you need a permit?

The zoning code requires a permit from the Cedar City Building Inspector for a fence on the public right-of-way, keeps fences at least one foot from sidewalks and three feet from fire hydrants, and lets the city remove right-of-way fences at the owner's expense. For anything else, including tall fences, retaining walls and pool barriers, call the building department before you build, because building code requirements can apply on top of zoning. These rules are summarized from a published copy of the code; confirm the current version with the city.

What about pools?

The code requires pool fences to be at least 4 feet high, with no opening larger than 36 square inches. Ask the building department what gate and latch requirements apply before the pool is filled.

Enoch, Parowan and the county

Enoch, Parowan and unincorporated Iron County each have their own ordinances. Don't assume Cedar City's numbers apply. Many subdivisions also have HOA covenants on height, color, material and which side faces out. Check those before you get bids so every quote is for a fence you can actually build.

Why does Cedar Valley ground matter?

The Utah Geological Survey's Special Study 150 found that groundwater pumping has lowered the water table in Cedar Valley by as much as 114 feet since 1939, causing land subsidence across about 100 square miles of the valley floor and more than eight miles of earth fissures, most noticeably in a subdivision in Enoch. The UGS expects the subsiding area to expand and new fissures to form if groundwater mining continues. For fences, the practical point is to look for cracks in nearby curbs, sidewalks and foundations, and mention them to the contractor.

What does the climate mean for posts?

Cedar City sits at about 5,800 feet. January lows average about 18 degrees, average snowfall is close to 48 inches, and yearly precipitation is around 11 inches. Repeated freeze and thaw can lift shallow posts, and dry air and strong sun are hard on wood finishes. Ask your contractor how deep posts will be set and how water will be kept away from them.

Blue Stakes before digging

Blue Stakes of Utah asks for notice at least three business days before excavation. Requests are free and homeowners can file online. Lines you own, such as sprinkler pipe or power to a shed, may not be marked, so point those out to the crew.

Does a fence contractor need a Utah license?

Utah's construction licensing law exempts work with a contracted value under $7,000, counting labor, materials and any change orders. Someone doing an exempt job over $3,000 still has to file a one-time affirmation with DOPL that they carry liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers' compensation. Above $7,000, a contractor license is generally required, and fences fall under the S330 Landscape and Recreation classification. You can look up any license on DOPL's website.

Common questions

How tall can a backyard fence be in Cedar City?

Up to 6 feet along side and rear property lines, under the city's zoning code. Front setback fences are generally limited to 30 inches.

How far ahead do I call Blue Stakes?

Blue Stakes of Utah asks for at least three business days' notice before digging, and the service is free.

Are there ground problems in Cedar Valley?

The Utah Geological Survey has documented land subsidence and more than eight miles of earth fissures in the valley, caused by groundwater pumping.

Cedar City fence guide (2026)