Fence Permits in Anniston and Oxford, AL
Anniston clearly lists fences as permit work and takes applications online. Oxford publishes its zoning rules for fences and a general permit application, but not a fence-specific checklist. Here's what each city has posted and who to call.
Anniston
City of Anniston, Building & Safety
- Is a permit required? Yes. “Fence/Accessory Structure” is on the City's list of construction requiring a permit.[1]
- How to apply: online through the City's GovWell permitting portal, which takes applications for decks, fences, sheds and pools. It lets you upload plans, pay online, schedule inspections and track the permit. For help, call the Administrative Assistant at 256-231-7720; staff also offer a short in-office tutorial.[1]
- Fee: $25 for the first $2,000 of project value (the contract amount), plus $7 per thousand after that.[2] Example: a $6,000 fence contract works out to $53.
- Codes: the City has adopted the 2021 International Residential Code, among others.[2]
Zoning rules to check before you apply
From the zoning ordinance file on the City's Zoning page (dated 6/26/24, marked “Draft”):[3]
- Front yard: fences along the sides or front edge are limited to 36 inches. In residential districts, fences forward of the front building line are limited to 2.5 feet, and up to 8 feet elsewhere on the lot.
- No fence on a right-of-way or easement without approval from whoever controls it.
- Keep corner and driveway sight lines clear (20 to 30 feet, between 3.5 and 10 feet high).
- Don't block drainage, meters, utilities or fire hydrants.
Not sure of your zoning district? The City has an interactive zoning map, and zoning questions go to 256-231-7720.[4]
Oxford
City of Oxford, Building Services
- Where: 42 Public Works Drive, Oxford. Phone 256-831-9685. Hours Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.[5]
- Application: the City posts a building permit application you can fill out online, or print and return to the office. It also posts a permit fee schedule.[5]
- Zoning letters: Building Services issues zoning letters and zoning information for your property, and calls it a free service.[5]
Does a fence need a permit in Oxford?
Oxford doesn't post a fence-specific answer. Here's what it does say:
- The zoning ordinance makes it unlawful to start construction of any building or other structure, including accessory structures, until the Building Inspector has issued a building permit.[6]
- The City's new-business page says that if changes to a building or property cost more than $500, including materials and labor, a permit is required.[7]
Most fence jobs cost far more than $500, so assume you'll need one and call 256-831-9685 to confirm. The City's 311 help center says a building permit takes about 2 weeks to obtain (that answer was last updated in 2017).[8]
Working near the street in Oxford
- Any work on the City right-of-way needs its own permit. The 311 help center says to contact the city engineer at 256-835-6124.[9]
- The City Code makes it unlawful to put any obstruction, including plants, trees or shrubbery, between the sidewalk and curb within 25 feet of a street intersection, or anything near an intersection that blocks a driver's view of cross traffic.[10]
Oxford's fence rules
- Up to 6 feet along a residential lot line (8 feet next to a nonresidential district). The finished side faces the neighbor.[6]
- No private permanent fence in a public right-of-way or easement.[6]
- A 10-by-10-foot sight triangle where a driveway or alley meets a street.[6]
- Pools: in the rear yard, 10 feet from the nearest lot line, with a barrier at least 4 feet high and locks on all gates.[6]
Outside city limits
If your address is in unincorporated Calhoun County, the rules above don't apply. Ask the county about permits before you build.
Who pulls the permit?
Ask during the estimate. Either way, make sure the contract says who applies for the permit and who calls Alabama 811. Alabama law requires at least three business days' notice before digging.[11]
Sources
- City of Anniston, Building Department (permits, GovWell portal) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Anniston, Fees & Codes (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Anniston, Zoning Ordinance file posted on the City's Zoning page (dated 6/26/24, marked “Draft”) (PDF) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Anniston, Zoning (contacts and interactive zoning map) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Oxford, Building Services (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Oxford, Zoning Ordinance (adopted Sept 26, 2017, as amended) (PDF) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Oxford, Starting a New Business (building permit FAQ) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Oxford 311 help center, building permit time frame (updated Feb 23, 2017) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Oxford 311 help center, “Do I need to get a permit to do work on the right-of-way?” (updated Feb 23, 2017) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- City of Oxford Code of Ordinances, Ch. 38, Art. IV Encroachments, §§ 38-109 to 38-112 (Municode) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- Alabama Power, Call Before You Dig (Alabama 811) (accessed Oct 17, 2026)