Do I Need a Permit for a Fence in Saint Paul, MN?

Saint Paul requires a permit for every fence — no exceptions. Saint Paul Legislative Code Section 33.07 is explicit: no person shall construct any fence in Saint Paul without first obtaining a permit from DSI. The fee structure is transparent and low: $37 for the first 200 lineal feet (or fraction thereof), plus $13 for each additional 100 lineal feet. Height limits: maximum 6 feet 6 inches in residential areas; maximum 4 feet between the front property line and the front setback line; maximum 2 feet in corner lot sight zones (unless more than 80% open). Barbed wire and electric fences are prohibited in residential areas. Historic district properties require Heritage Preservation Commission review. Fences must be entirely inside your property boundary — not on the property line.

Saint Paul fence permit rules — Legislative Code Sec. 33.07

Saint Paul's all-fences-require-permits rule comes from Legislative Code Section 33.07 and has been city policy for decades. The fee is unusually specific and transparent: $37 for the first 200 lineal feet (or fraction thereof), plus $13 for each additional 100 lineal feet. A 300-foot fence costs $50 to permit. A 500-foot fence costs $76. This makes Saint Paul's fence permit one of the lowest-cost, most straightforward permit processes in this guide.

Applications are submitted through PAULIE at stpaul.gov/PAULIE or by email to [email protected] (PDF attachments only). Required documents: completed General Building Permit Application with "Fence" as the project description; a site plan showing property lines, fence location (must be entirely inside property boundary), total length, height, and material type. A survey may be needed if property markers can't be located — fences built on the wrong side of the property line create expensive removal and reinstallation problems.

Height limits under Section 33.07(b): no fence shall exceed 6 feet 6 inches in height in a residential district. All fences in the front setback area (between the front property line and the front building setback line) are limited to 4 feet maximum. On corner lots, no fence may exceed 2 feet in the triangular area within 10 feet of the corner from each lot line, unless the fence is more than 80% open. A variance from height limits is available from the building official if site conditions warrant — the variance application fee is $70.

Historic districts: DSI's fence guide states that any fence in a Historic Site or Historic District requires HPC (Heritage Preservation Commission) staff review to ensure compatibility with district guidelines. Apply for both the DSI fence permit and HPC review simultaneously — but HPC approval must be obtained before the DSI fence permit can be approved. Call (651) 266-9090 to confirm historic district status and HPC requirements. An elevation drawing showing fence height, appearance, and materials is required for historic district reviews in addition to the standard site plan.

Common questions

General guidance as of April 2026. Minnesota Building Code and DSI requirements may change — call (651) 266-8989. For a personalized report, use our permit research tool.