Fence company for Clarkston and Independence Township

Anchor Fence is a family-owned Michigan fence company with a shop in Redford and a North Oakland County location. We install vinyl, wood, chain link, and steel and aluminum fences, plus gates and railings, for Clarkston homes. A Clarkston address can fall under two governments: the small City of the Village of Clarkston, or Independence Township, which surrounds it. Their front yard limits differ, so we start by working out which one applies to you. We call MISS DIG before we dig, and every installation has a two-year written workmanship warranty. Call 248-392-0244 or request a free quote.

White vinyl privacy fence along a suburban backyard

  • Family-owned Michigan company

  • Two-year workmanship warranty

  • Free written quotes

  • Posts set below the Michigan frost line


Vinyl privacy fence along a backyard lawn

Which Clarkston fence rules apply to you?

The City of the Village of Clarkston is a small city surrounded by Independence Township, and the two are administered separately. Clarkston city zoning covers fence height and location inside city limits. Building permits for the city run through the Independence Township Building Department.

Start with the address

When you request a quote, give us the street address. We will ask which side of the city line it falls on and look at the matching rules. You can also confirm with the City or the township. It takes a short call and can save a fence that has to be moved.


Fences for Clarkston homes

In both the city and the township, the front yard is where the rules bite. Backyards are simpler. We match the material to the part of the lot you are fencing. See all residential fence options.

Wood privacy fence along a rear yard

Privacy in the back and on the sides

Both the City of the Village of Clarkston and Independence Township allow fences up to 6 feet in residential side and rear yards. That makes a privacy fence in vinyl or wood a good fit behind the house. Vinyl needs no stain. Wood can be built in custom styles.

White picket fence in front of a suburban home

Front yards, city style

Inside the city, fences, hedges, or walls in the required front yard are limited to 36 inches. Front yard materials are limited to wood, wrought iron, ornamental (tubular aluminum), brick, or natural stone. Chain link and vinyl are prohibited in the front yard. A low steel and aluminum fence or a wood picket fits those limits.

Black aluminum ornamental fence along a front yard

Front yards, township style

In Independence Township, the required front yard limit is 48 inches for any fence, wall, or hedge. That leaves room for a taller picket or ornamental fence than the city allows. Chain link can serve a side or rear yard for a dog run. The township does not allow electric or barbed wire on residential lots.


Deep posts and a call before we dig

Frost lifts shallow posts, and Michigan has plenty of it. Anchor Fence sets posts in concrete deep enough for Michigan frost. Before we dig, we put in the MISS DIG request.

  • MISS DIG needs at least 3 business days of notice before any digging, fence posts included.

  • Public utility lines get marked. Private lines, such as a sprinkler system, are not, so tell us what you have.

  • Corner lots in Independence Township have a 20 foot clear vision triangle along each street line that we plan around.

Metal fence post set in a fresh concrete footing

City of the Village of Clarkston

Zoning for fences inside city limits is enforced by the City Code Officer, and building permits are handled through the Independence Township Building Department. Much of downtown is a National Register historic district, so ask the City whether anything extra applies before you design a fence near it.

  • Rear and side yards: 6 feet maximum.

  • Required front yard: 36 inches maximum.

  • Front yard materials: wood, wrought iron, ornamental aluminum, brick, or natural stone only. No chain link or vinyl in the front yard.

Independence Township

Township fence rules come from Independence Township’s zoning ordinance. The ordinance says a fence is approved by the building inspector wherever required, so ask the building department whether your fence needs a permit before you order. The property owner applies, and we can advise you on the rules and give you the layout and material details.

  • Residential side and rear yards: 6 feet maximum.

  • Required front yard: 48 inches maximum for any fence, wall, or hedge.

  • No electric or barbed wire on residential lots.

  • Corner lots: keep the 20 foot clear vision triangle open.

Rules change, and your property may have a subdivision association. You or your contractor should confirm with the building department, and check with your HOA if you have one.


What a Clarkston quote includes

Measuring at your property

An estimator comes to the yard, measures the fence line, and walks through styles, heights, and gates with you. The visit is free.

A written quote

You receive a written quote with a materials list, so you can see what goes into the price.

Two-year warranty

Our workmanship warranty runs two years and is written into every installation. You can also see the other towns we serve on our North Oakland County page and our Service Areas page.


Frequently asked questions about Clarkston fences

The City of the Village of Clarkston is a small city surrounded by Independence Township, so a Clarkston mailing address could be either. Your township or city office can confirm, and when you request a quote we will ask for your address and check the matching rules.

Residential side and rear yards allow fences up to 6 feet in both the city and the township. The required front yard is limited to 36 inches inside the City of the Village of Clarkston and to 48 inches in Independence Township.

Not inside the City of the Village of Clarkston, which prohibits chain link and vinyl in the front yard. In Independence Township the front yard is limited to 48 inches, so confirm the materials with the building department before you choose.

The Independence Township Building Department handles building permits for both the township and the City of the Village of Clarkston, and its phone number is (248) 625-8111. Ask whether your fence needs a permit. The property owner applies, and Anchor Fence can advise you on the rules and give you the layout and material details.

Yes. We come to your yard, measure it, and give you a written quote with a materials list at no cost. Call 248-392-0244 or request one online. We call MISS DIG before we dig.


Plan your Clarkston fence around the right set of rules

A fence that works in one part of Clarkston may not be allowed in another. Tell us where the house sits and what you want the fence to do, and Anchor Fence will measure the line, point out the front yard limit that applies, and send a written quote. Call 248-392-0244 or use the quote form.


Independence Township Building Department Address & Phone Number:

Clarkston Fence Ordinances:

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