Do I need a permit for fence installation or replacement in Plantation?
Yes. In Florida, fence installation or replacement generally requires a permit, and Plantation is no exception.
There is no statewide fence permit rule in Florida, so requirements are set locally. Some jurisdictions exempt common fences below a set height, such as chain-link or wood fences up to a certain height, while others require a permit for essentially all new residential fences. Height, setback, and corner sight-triangle rules apply everywhere, and HOA rules may add more.
Florida and local notes for Plantation
Florida has no statewide list of building work exempt from a permit. Section 105.2 of the Florida Building Code, Building, exempts only certain gas, mechanical and plumbing work, so whether a fence needs a permit is decided by your local building department rather than by a state threshold. Even where no building permit is needed, zoning height, setback, corner-visibility, and HOA rules still apply. Cities set their own fence ordinances that can differ from the county. Fences in an easement may require an acknowledgement and can be removed if a utility needs access. Fences are reviewed for HVHZ wind loads here, so height, material and post embedment matter more than in most of the state. Your city issues the permit, not the county. Broward's 31 municipal building departments each run their own permitting and inspections, while the county Board of Rules and Appeals sets code interpretation and the countywide amendments they all work from. The Broward County Amendments to the Florida Building Code, published by the Board of Rules and Appeals under the county charter, apply on top of the state code everywhere in the county. Individual cities can add their own amendments as well, so confirm both. Plantation Code 27-296(o) states fences or walls may not be installed before a building permit is issued, and residential fences are limited to 4 feet in the front street setback and 6 feet in interior side and rear setbacks. Along a sidewalk, bikeway, or right-of-way, a solid fence must be set back at least 5 feet with a hedge planted in front of it. The owner signs the Landscape Acknowledgement agreeing to plant within 10 days of completing the fence and pass inspection. Open chain link and open rail fences are exempt from the hedge. A fence in an easement requires an encroachment agreement, and fences may not be built in a public right-of-way (Code 27-296(o)). In the Plantation Acres Improvement District, the survey must be stamped approved by Winningham and Fradley, per the city's Fence Permit Requirements.
Documents you may need
- Permit application (where required)Sometimes required
- Site plan or survey showing fence location and property linesLikely required
- Easement acknowledgement (if in an easement)Sometimes required
- Product approval or Notice of Acceptance documentation for HVHZ rated materialsSometimes required
- Broward County Uniform Permit ApplicationLikely required
- Most recent survey showing fence location, material, height, gates, water meter, and landscapingLikely required
- Fence cross-section detail, or signed and sealed drawings or NOAs for aluminum and PVC fencesLikely required
- Landscape Acknowledgement for Fences and Walls with a copy of the deedSometimes required
Possible inspections
- Setback or post-location inspection (some jurisdictions)
- Final inspection
- Final fence inspection
- Landscape inspection where a hedge is required
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for fence installation or replacement in Plantation?
- Yes. In Florida, fence installation or replacement generally requires a permit, and Plantation is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Plantation?
- The local building department for Plantation handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.