How to Get a Fence Permit in Upper Arlington, Ohio - Complete Guide

How to Get a Fence Permit in Upper Arlington, Ohio -- A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

If you're planning to install a new fence -- or replace an existing one -- in Upper Arlington, Ohio, you'll need a fence permit before any work begins. The good news? Upper Arlington has made the entire process available online, and it's one of the most straightforward permit processes in the Columbus metro area.

At Frost Fence, we're a registered contractor with the City of Upper Arlington and have completed dozens of fence installations throughout the community. This guide walks you through exactly what you need, what it costs, and how to get your permit approved quickly so your project stays on schedule.

Do You Need a Fence Permit in Upper Arlington?

Yes -- a fence permit is required for any new fence or replacement fence in Upper Arlington. This applies whether you're installing a privacy fence in your backyard, replacing an old chain link fence, or adding a decorative fence around a garden. There are no exceptions based on fence height or material.

According to the City of Upper Arlington's Community Development Department, permits are required before any fence construction begins. Skipping the permit can result in fines, required removal, or complications when you sell your home.

What Does an Upper Arlington Fence Permit Cost?

The City of Upper Arlington charges a flat $50 fence permit fee. This is one of the most affordable permit fees in the Columbus area -- many neighboring municipalities charge significantly more or require additional review fees.

Want Frost Fence to handle the permit for you? We charge $100 plus the cost of the permit ($50) to manage the entire process on your behalf. Since we're already registered with Upper Arlington as an approved contractor, we can streamline the process and make sure everything is submitted correctly the first time.

Upper Arlington Fence Rules You Need to Know

Before you apply for your permit, make sure your fence plan meets the city's requirements:

Height Restrictions:

Rear yards: Maximum fence height is 6 feet. Fence posts can extend up to 6 inches above the fence panels.

Front yards: Additional height and location restrictions apply. Most residential fences are installed in rear and side yards to avoid front yard limitations.

Placement:

Fences can be placed directly on the property line. A property survey is recommended but not required when submitting your permit application.

Check for buried utility lines before digging by calling Ohio Utilities Protection Services at 811 (or 800-362-2764).

Fence Orientation (The "Good Neighbor" Rule):

Upper Arlington requires that the finished side of the fence faces outward toward your neighbors. This means the structural posts and rails face your property, and the smooth or decorative side faces the neighbor's property.

If you want to reverse this orientation (posts facing outward), you'll need a written letter from the affected neighbor granting permission.

This is an important detail that many homeowners don't realize until the permit application. Plan your fence orientation before you apply.

How to Apply for a Fence Permit in Upper Arlington -- Step by Step

The entire process is completed online through the City of Upper Arlington's permitting portal. Here's exactly what to do:

Step 1: Go to the Online Permit Portal

Visit the City of Upper Arlington's online permitting system. You can find the link on their Community Development Department page under "Fence Permit."

Step 2: Enter Contractor Information

When the application asks for the contractor, enter "Frost Fence" as the contractor name. We are registered with the City of Upper Arlington, so our information is already in their system. This ensures your application processes smoothly without any contractor verification delays.

If you're using a different contractor, make sure they are registered with Upper Arlington. Contractor registration requires a $100 fee, a $5,000 bond, and $100,000-$300,000 in liability insurance.

Step 3: Fill Out Your Personal Information

Enter your name, address, phone number, and email. This is standard homeowner information -- the city needs to know who owns the property where the fence will be installed.

Step 4: Upload a Photo of Your Fence Style

The city requires a photo or image showing the style of fence you plan to install. This can be:

A product photo from the manufacturer's website

A photo of a similar fence you've seen in the neighborhood

A photo from our project gallery at frostfence.com/projects

This helps the city verify that your fence style complies with local guidelines.

Step 5: Upload a Plot Plan Showing Fence Placement

You need to show where the fence will be located on your property. This doesn't have to be a professional survey -- the city accepts:

A screenshot from Google Maps with your fence line drawn or marked on it

A simple hand-drawn plot plan showing your property boundaries and fence location

A copy of your property survey with the fence line marked

The key is that the city can see where the fence will sit relative to your property lines, house, and any easements.

Step 6: Answer the Pool Question

The application will ask whether your fence is being installed around a swimming pool.

If YES (pool fence): Your fence will require an inspection after installation to verify it meets pool barrier safety codes. Pool fences must comply with specific gate, latch, and height requirements under Ohio building code.

If NO (non-pool fence): No inspection is required. Once your permit is approved, you're clear to build. This is one of the best parts of the Upper Arlington process -- for standard residential fences, there's no waiting around for an inspector.

Step 7: Confirm Fence Orientation

You'll need to check a box confirming one of the following:

You will face the finished side of the fence outward toward your neighbors (standard requirement), OR

You have a written letter from the neighbor allowing you to face the structural side outward

If you're installing a fence style that looks the same on both sides -- like a shadowbox fence or certain horizontal designs -- this requirement is automatically satisfied.

Step 8: Submit and Wait for Approval

Once you submit the application and pay the $50 fee online, the city reviews your submission. Approval typically comes within a few business days. You'll receive confirmation via email.

How Long Does the Upper Arlington Fence Permit Process Take?

For most standard residential fence projects (non-pool), the timeline looks like this:

Total time from application to building: Usually less than one week. This is significantly faster than many Central Ohio municipalities that require in-person submissions or multi-department reviews.

Why Upper Arlington's Permit Process Is One of the Best

Having installed fences across dozens of Central Ohio communities, we can say that Upper Arlington has one of the smoothest fence permit processes in the region. Here's why:

1. 100% online -- No driving to city hall, no paper forms, no waiting in line.

2. Flat $50 fee -- Simple and affordable. No percentage-of-construction-value calculations.

3. No inspection for non-pool fences -- Once approved, you build. No scheduling delays.

4. Fast turnaround -- Most permits are approved within a few business days.

5. Clear requirements -- The city's guidelines are straightforward and well-documented.

Frost Fence Projects in Upper Arlington

We've completed numerous fence installations throughout Upper Arlington. Here are a few recent projects:

Cedar Horizontal Privacy Fence -- Two Neighboring Properties

A 6-foot tall cedar horizontal privacy fence installed for two adjacent homeowners in Upper Arlington who wanted matching fence styles. Features custom double gates with black hardware.

Vinyl Fence Replacement -- Condo Complex

A complete tear-out and replacement across three condos with tight backyard access. Installed 6-foot Weatherables Savannah vinyl panels with cedar grain texture and black posts. Required hand digging and carrying all materials through garages -- the kind of challenging installation that separates experienced contractors from the rest.

View all of our Upper Arlington projects ->

Frequently Asked Questions About Upper Arlington Fence Permits

Can I install a fence on my property line in Upper Arlington?

Yes. Fences can be placed directly on the property line. The city recommends a property survey but does not require one with the permit application.

Do I need a survey to get a fence permit in Upper Arlington?

No. A property survey is recommended but not required. A Google Maps screenshot showing your fence placement is acceptable.

What is the maximum fence height in Upper Arlington?

Six feet in rear yards. Posts can extend up to 6 inches above the fence. Front yards have additional restrictions.

Does Upper Arlington require a fence inspection?

Only if the fence is around a swimming pool. Standard residential fences do not require an inspection.

How much does a fence permit cost in Upper Arlington?

The city charges a flat $50 fee. If Frost Fence handles the permit for you, our fee is $100 plus the $50 permit cost ($150 total).

Is Frost Fence registered to work in Upper Arlington?

Yes. Frost Fence is a registered contractor with the City of Upper Arlington. When you enter "Frost Fence" as your contractor on the permit application, our registration is already on file.

Ready to Start Your Upper Arlington Fence Project?

Get a ballpark estimate in under 5 minutes with our online fence estimator -- no phone call required. Choose your fence style, draw your fence line on the map, and see your price range instantly.

Get Your Free Fence Estimate ->

Or call us directly at (740) 504-7274 to discuss your Upper Arlington fence project. We'll walk you through the permit process and handle everything from application to installation.

Frost Fence is a registered contractor with the City of Upper Arlington, Ohio. Permit requirements and fees are current as of 2025. Always verify with the City of Upper Arlington Community Development Department at 614-583-5070 for the most up-to-date information.