FENCE RULES – SHIVELY (CITY), KENTUCKY
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Shively, subject to local regulations. For properties located outside City of Shively municipal limits, Jefferson County regulates fences in unincorporated areas.
Local fence rules appear in the City of Shively Code of Ordinances, including Chapter 96 for fences, Chapter 150 for building-permit administration, and Chapter 156 for the adopted Jefferson County zoning and land-development framework. The City of Shively’s code-enforcement materials also direct deck and fence installation questions to Louisville Metro Planning and Design, and Louisville Metro Construction Review publishes the building-permit trigger for taller fences and retaining walls.
This page focuses on typical single-family residential fencing. If the jurisdiction’s adopted materials do not state a specific limit or requirement, this page notes that the code does not specify one.
Compiled From City of Shively Code of Ordinances, City of Shively Code Enforcement materials, Louisville Metro Construction Review Fence and Retaining Walls page, the Louisville-Jefferson County Land Development Code fence and wall standards, and Appendix 1A LDC Adoption Status as of June 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The City of Shively is the municipal governing authority. The City of Shively Code of Ordinances contains a fence-specific rule in Chapter 96, building-permit procedures in Chapter 150, and zoning-adoption language in Chapter 156.
Chapter 156 adopts the Zoning District Regulations for all of Jefferson County, Kentucky and zoning maps for property within the City of Shively. The LDC adoption-status materials identify the City of Shively’s zoning and land-development framework as the Land Development Code, March 2006, with reference to Shively Ordinance No. 2, Series 2008.
The City Clerk/Tax Assessor, Director of Public Works, Chief of the Fire Department, and Zoning Enforcement Officer appear in Shively building-permit review. City of Shively Code Enforcement handles property-condition complaints, including broken fences, while the city’s published handout directs deck and fence installation matters to Louisville Metro Planning and Design.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit: Louisville Metro Construction Review states that fences over 7 feet tall and retaining walls over 4 feet tall require a building permit. The page directs applicants to submit through the online portal or visit the Construction Review office.
• Application Access: Louisville Metro states that permit application PDF forms are no longer available for download from that page after the posted application-access change. The page directs applicants to call, visit in person, or use the online portal.
• City of Shively Building-Permit Review: The City of Shively Code states that building-permit applications are made to the City Clerk/Tax Assessor on city forms and receive review by the Director of Public Works, Chief of the Fire Department, and Zoning Enforcement Officer before final approval.
• Front-Face Residential Fence Approval: A fence used to provide confinement or prevent intrusion beyond the front face of a residence is prohibited, except approved ornamental fencing. Approved ornamental fencing requires approval by the Zoning Committee of the Shively City Council and may not exceed 24 inches in height.
• Pool-Barrier Use: A fence or wall used as a required swimming-pool barrier under the LDC must be at least 4 feet above grade and must have a self-closing, self-latching lockable gate. This rule applies to pool-barrier use, not to ordinary yard fencing.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Front Face of Residence: The City of Shively prohibits fences used to provide confinement or prevent intrusion beyond the front face of a residence, except for approved ornamental fencing not over 24 inches high.
• Property-Line Placement: The ordinance does not state a setback requirement for standard residential fences from property lines; however, fences must be located entirely on the owner’s property and must not encroach into rights-of-way or easements.
• Required Front and Street-Side Yards: Where the adopted LDC yard standards apply and no stricter City of Shively front-face rule controls, fences and walls in required front and street-side yards are subject to the LDC front-yard and street-side-yard height limits.
• Required Side and Rear Yards: The LDC allows fences and walls in required side and rear yards subject to the height, opacity, and material limits described in the height and materials sections below.
• Public Sidewalks and Roadway Pavement: For fences near public sidewalks and roadway pavement, the LDC uses a separate height-measurement method when the fence or wall is within 5 feet of the public sidewalk or roadway pavement.
• Utility Safety: Kentucky law requires notice through Kentucky 811 before excavation where Kentucky’s underground utility damage-prevention law applies. For fence projects that involve digging, including fence post holes, notice must be given not less than two full working days and not more than 10 full working days before excavation begins, unless a different future start date is allowed by law. Kentucky locate requests are valid for 21 calendar days from the initial request. Kentucky law also includes exemptions, including certain agricultural tilling and certain nonmechanized excavation on private property where no operator right-of-way or easement is encroached.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• Front Face of Residence: The City of Shively has a stricter local rule for the area beyond the front face of a residence. A fence used to provide confinement or prevent intrusion beyond the front face of a residence is prohibited, except approved ornamental fencing. Approved ornamental fencing may not exceed 24 inches in height.
• Front and Street-Side Yards Under the LDC: The adopted LDC contains a broader required-yard standard for fences and walls in required front and street-side yards. In the listed residential zoning districts, fences and walls may be up to 48 inches in suburban form districts and 42 inches in traditional form districts, except where a more specific rule applies.
• Sight-Distance Areas: The LDC also shows a separate 2-foot height limit within sight-distance triangles. This is a visibility rule, not the same rule as the City of Shively’s 24-inch ornamental-front-fence exception.
• Side and Rear Yards Under the LDC: In required side and rear yards, the LDC allows fences and walls of solid materials, including masonry and wood, with 80% opacity or greater, up to 8 feet high. Fencing with less than 80% opacity, including chain-link fencing, is limited to 6 feet high. Wrought-iron fences are allowed up to 8 feet high.
• Double-Frontage Lots: On a double-frontage lot with prohibited access along a major arterial, minor arterial, or collector-level roadway, the LDC allows a fence or wall up to 8 feet high in the required front yard adjoining that roadway.
• Height Measurement: For fences and walls in required side and rear yards, height is measured from the lowest grade within 1 foot on either side of the fence or wall to the highest point of the fence or wall. When a fence or wall is located within 5 feet of public sidewalk or roadway pavement, the total height includes both the fence or wall and any change in grade from the public sidewalk or roadway pavement to the base of the fence or wall. More than 5 feet from public sidewalk or roadway pavement, only the fence or wall height is measured.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• City of Shively Ornamental Front Fencing: Approved ornamental front fencing under the City of Shively exception may consist of shrubbery, hedges, or a single-strand chain or single cable with post supports. Pipe posts may not exceed 2 inches in diameter, and wood posts may not exceed 4 inches by 4 inches.
• Side and Rear Yard Materials: The LDC distinguishes between solid or high-opacity materials, lower-opacity fencing, and wrought iron. Solid materials, including masonry and wood, with 80% opacity or greater are allowed up to 8 feet high in required side and rear yards. Fencing with less than 80% opacity, including chain-link fencing, is limited to 6 feet high. Wrought-iron fences are allowed up to 8 feet high.
• Finished Side: When a fence is mandated by the LDC, the finished side of the fence must face the lower-intensity use. The code does not specify a finished-side orientation rule for ordinary residential yard fences that are not mandated by the LDC.
• Barbed Wire and Razor Wire: Razor wire may be used only when the razor wire is at least 8 feet above grade. In residential form districts, including the Traditional Neighborhood Form District, Neighborhood Form District, and Village Form District, barbed wire less than 6 feet above grade is allowed only when used to enclose livestock. A fence adjoining residentially used or residentially zoned property may include barbed wire or razor wire only with Planning Director or designee approval based on unique circumstances or demonstrated security needs. Agricultural uses regulated and permitted by Kentucky law are exempt from that subsection.
• Chain Link: The code does not prohibit chain-link fencing for standard residential lots, but lower-opacity fencing, including chain link, is subject to the LDC’s 6-foot side and rear yard height limit and the City of Shively’s stricter ornamental-front-fence rule where that rule applies.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
HOA covenants, subdivision restrictions, deed restrictions, private easements, architectural-review covenants, and private agreements operate independently from City of Shively and Louisville Metro fence rules. Private restrictions may be more restrictive than the public rules summarized here.
The LDC itself notes that property owners should check deed restrictions for additional limitations. The public code does not state that the City of Shively enforces private HOA or deed restrictions as ordinary municipal fence rules.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Building-Permit Trigger: Fences over 7 feet tall and retaining walls over 4 feet tall require building-permit review through the published Louisville Metro Construction Review process.
• Front-Face Fence Approval: Ornamental fencing beyond the front face of a residence requires approval by the Zoning Committee of the Shively City Council and is limited to 24 inches in height.
• LDC Height and Yard Standards: Fence height, opacity, material type, required-yard location, double-frontage conditions, and height-measurement rules may be reviewed under the adopted LDC standards.
• Visibility Conditions: Fences and walls in the LDC sight-distance triangle are limited to 2 feet in height.
• Pool-Barrier Conditions: A fence or wall used as a required swimming-pool barrier must meet the 4-foot minimum barrier height and self-closing, self-latching lockable gate requirement.
• Material Restrictions: Barbed wire, razor wire, livestock fencing, and fences adjoining residential property may require review under the LDC’s special material restrictions.
• Code Enforcement: City of Shively Code Enforcement identifies broken fences as a common property-maintenance issue.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Shively, based on publicly available source materials reviewed as of June 2026.
In addition to local fence rules, certain Kentucky laws apply statewide. See Statewide Fence Laws in Kentucky.
It is not legal advice and does not replace official ordinances, permits, surveys, or professional guidance. Rules and interpretations may change, and application may vary based on zoning district, site conditions, easements, rights-of-way, floodplain status, stormwater or drainage requirements, road or highway encroachment, historic district status, rural or agricultural context, livestock or farm-boundary context, pool-barrier use, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants, deed restrictions, private agreements, or agricultural conservation easements. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with the City Clerk/Tax Assessor, the Zoning Enforcement Officer, Louisville Metro Planning and Design, and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Shively staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.