Fence installation and fence rules for Novi homes

Anchor Fence installs residential fences in Novi, Michigan, including vinyl, wood, privacy, chain link, and steel and aluminum fences, plus gates. Novi’s published fence rules cap residential fences at six feet and keep them out of the front yard setback. If your subdivision has a homeowners association, it must approve the fence too. We check those rules, confirm with the city what your project needs, and call MISS DIG before we dig. Every Novi quote is free and comes with a written two-year workmanship warranty.

Picture of a chain link fence in front of a commercial building.

Planning and installing a fence in Novi

Many Novi homes sit in subdivisions with a homeowners association and design rules. Others back up to Walled Lake, Shawood Lake, or wooded common areas.

Fences that fit Novi neighborhoods

A good Novi fence plan starts with three questions: what the fence is for, what your HOA allows, and whether your lot has any special rules, such as a lake view.

Privacy fences for backyards and patios

A six-foot privacy fence is the tallest a Novi homeowner can build, and it gives a patio real privacy. Many associations ask for a set color or style, so bring your HOA guidelines to the estimate. You can choose Privacy Fences in vinyl, wood, or a composite with a wood grain.

Vinyl and wood-look fences

Vinyl suits Novi subdivisions because it keeps a clean, even look with no painting. Novi’s guide also asks that the nicer side of a fence face out toward the neighbor or street, and many vinyl styles look the same on both sides. See our Vinyl Fencing options, or ask about SimTek and CertaGrain panels for a wood-grain finish.

Ornamental aluminum and steel

Black aluminum works well around pools and along open yards that face a pond or common area. It keeps the view open while marking the line. Our Steel and Aluminum Fencing page shows the styles and heights.

Chain link and gates

For dog runs and budget-friendly enclosures, Chain Link Fencing is a practical, lower-cost choice. We build matching Gates for every material, with hardware sized for daily use.

Novi fence permits and rules

Novi has clear fence rules, and the details depend on your lot. This section sums up what the city publishes. It is a guide, not legal advice, so check your exact lot with the city before you build.

Permit status. Novi’s published residential fence guide sets the rules for height and placement, but it does not list a fence permit. The city’s forms page also has no fence permit application. That said, rules can change, and some projects need other approvals. Anchor Fence confirms with Novi Community Development before every job, so you are not guessing.

White vinyl picket fence in front of a suburban home

Where a Novi fence can go

Height and placement

Novi limits residential fences to six feet. Fences may run in the rear yard and along the side yards toward the front of the house, but only as far as the minimum front yard setback. If your house already sits inside the required front setback, the fence may extend to the front of the house. Lots over two acres, or lots with at least 200 feet of frontage in a recorded plat, may also have a front-yard fence, still capped at six feet.

Lakefront lots

Waterfront homes on Novi’s lakes have their own rule. A front-yard fence on a waterfront lot may be up to four feet tall, as long as it does not block the view of the lake. Hedgerow fences are not allowed between the house and the lake.

Property lines and HOA approval

Property lines and surveys

Your fence has to be on your own property. The city does not find property lines for you, does not supply surveys, and does not settle line disputes between neighbors. That is why we recommend a survey or staked property corners before we set posts. If you have a mortgage survey from your closing, bring it to the estimate.

Your homeowners association

If your subdivision has an HOA, it must approve the fence. Novi’s guide warns that HOA rules are often stricter than the city’s, so check your covenants and deed restrictions first. Get the approval in writing before the install date.

Materials, pools, and city contacts

Materials and appearance

Novi bans barbed wire and electric fences on homes. It also bans fences made of scrap tires, canvas, cardboard, asphalt shingles, chicken wire or similar fine mesh, and corrugated or sheet metal. On a property line of a lot under 150 feet long, the fence must use the same material, finish, and color along its length. The more decorative side faces out. Fences must be kept in good repair.

Pools

A pool in Novi needs a building permit. The city’s pool sheet calls for a barrier at least four feet tall, with a gate that opens away from the pool and is self-closing and self-latching. Ask about pool-ready gate hardware during your quote.

Who to call at the city

Novi Community Development is at the Civic Center, 45175 Ten Mile Road, Novi, MI 48375. Call (248) 347-0415, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

How Anchor Fence can help with your permit

Anchor Fence plans a Novi fence around the city’s rules and your HOA’s. At the free estimate, we measure, review your survey, and talk through materials and gates. Before we dig, we call MISS DIG, Michigan’s 811 system, at least three business days ahead. Sprinkler lines and other private lines are not marked, so tell us where yours run.

We typically set posts in 42-inch concrete footings, the same depth Michigan’s building code sets for house footings. That depth helps keep posts from heaving when the ground freezes. Most installations can be complete within six to eight weeks, weather pending.

Our written warranty

Anchor Fence puts its warranty on paper. Every residential and commercial installation includes a two-year workmanship warranty. For vinyl fence material, the warranty is a limited lifetime warranty, excluding vinyl-coated chain link. Steel and aluminum materials carry product warranties up to a limited lifetime, depending on the product.

Metal fence post set in a fresh concrete footing

Novi fence questions

Novi caps residential fences at six feet. Fences may run in the rear yard and along the side yards up to the minimum front yard setback. Lakefront lots may have front-yard fences up to four feet if they do not block the lake view. Anchor Fence checks your lot’s setback before we set the fence line.

In most cases, no. Novi keeps residential fences out of the front yard setback. The exceptions in the city’s guide are lots over two acres, lots with at least 200 feet of frontage in a recorded plat, and lakefront lots, which may have a front-yard fence up to four feet that keeps the lake view open.

Yes, if your subdivision has a homeowners association. Novi’s fence guide says the HOA must approve the fence, and the city notes that association rules are often stricter than its own. Get written approval before your install date. Anchor Fence can provide drawings and product details for your HOA application.

Novi does not list a survey requirement in its fence guide, but your fence must be on your own property, and the city does not locate lines or supply surveys. A survey or staked corners is the safest way to know where the line is. Anchor Fence reviews your survey at the estimate.

Anchor Fence installs vinyl, wood, privacy, chain link, and steel and aluminum fences in Novi, along with SimTek and CertaGrain panels, gates, porch and walkway railings, and pet and equipment cages.

Start your Novi fence with a visit to the yard

The fastest Novi fence jobs start with the paperwork in hand: your survey, your HOA’s answer, and a clear plan for height and placement. To spread out the cost, see Financing through Hearth. Reach the Redford office at (313) 937-0101 on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Novi Building Department Address & Phone Number:

Novi Fence Ordinances:

For Mortgage Survey Visit:

MySitePlan logo