FENCE RULES – TEGA CAY (CITY), SOUTH CAROLINA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within the City of Tega Cay, South Carolina, subject to local regulations.
Residential fences and walls are subject to mandatory permitting and strict standards governing placement and visibility. The City regulates fencing to support neighborhood safety and aesthetics, including the preservation of traffic sightlines and the protection of local wildlife. Unlike many jurisdictions, Tega Cay maintains specific prohibitions on solid fencing types and defines precise setbacks from public infrastructure such as sidewalks and curbs.
Compiled from the Tega Cay Zoning Ordinance (Article XIII), the Tega Cay Land Development Code, and the Planning and Zoning Department guidelines, as of February 2026.
GOVERNANCE
South Carolina does not publish a statewide residential fence code. For properties located within Tega Cay city limits, fence standards are administered and enforced by the Zoning Administrator.
The primary regulatory framework is established in Article XIII (Fencing Requirements) of the City Zoning Ordinance. Additional oversight regarding structural integrity and land disturbance is provided by the Development Services Department and the Building Department. City requirements do not override homeowners association (HOA) requirements or private covenants, which frequently impose more restrictive standards in Tega Cay.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Tega Cay requires formal administrative approval prior to the construction, alteration, or relocation of any fence or screen.
• Zoning Permit: A Fence Permit is REQUIRED for all residential fencing projects. The permit application must be submitted by the property owner or an authorized agent.
• Site Plan Requirements: Each application must include a scaled site plan based on an accurate survey or plat of the lot. This plan must designate the exact location, height, and width of the proposed fence.
• Variance Requests: Projects that cannot meet the standard dimensional or safety requirements defined in the ordinance must be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals via a variance request.
• Pool Barriers: Fences serving as safety enclosures for swimming pools must conform to the specific barrier requirements established in the adopted City Building Codes, which generally require a minimum height of 48 inches and self-latching gates.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
Fences must be situated to avoid interference with public rights-of-way, utility infrastructure, and natural drainage patterns.
• Public Infrastructure Setbacks: Fences must be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the back of the street curb or gutter. Additionally, fences must maintain a minimum 5-foot setback from the closest edge of any sidewalk. If the property line is more restrictive than these measurements, the fence must be placed on the property line.
• Common Driveways: All fences must be set back at least 2 feet from the property line on each side of a common driveway.
• Drainage Protection: No fence or wall may be installed in a manner that blocks or diverts the natural flow of drainage onto or off of any adjacent land.
• Utility Notification: South Carolina state law mandates that SC 811 be contacted at least three full business days prior to breaking ground on any fence project. The required waiting period excludes the day of the notice, weekends, and holidays, allowing utility operators time to verify and mark underground lines. Excavators must strictly adhere to the “tolerance zone” by utilizing only hand tools or soft digging methods within 24 inches of any utility indicators.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
Height limits are strictly enforced to preserve the character of residential districts and ensure motorist safety.
• Front Yard Prohibition: Fences are PROHIBITED within the established front yard of residential properties.
• Side and Rear Yard Height: Residential fences and walls are limited to a maximum height of 6 feet in side and rear yards.
• Secondary Street Frontage (Corner Lots): On corner lots, the maximum fence height is restricted to 5 feet along the secondary street frontage.
• Measurement Standard: All fence heights are measured from the finished grade of the land.
• Wall and Berm Combinations: If a fence is placed on top of a freestanding wall or berm, the total combined height cannot exceed the maximum height allowed for a fence alone (e.g., 6 feet in a rear yard).
• Retaining Wall Exception: For safety purposes, a fence up to 4 feet in height may be constructed on top of a retaining wall regardless of the wall’s height.
• Traffic and Trail Visibility: Fences must not obstruct the sightlines of pedestrian or vehicular traffic from public rights-of-way or designated walking and bicycle trails.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
The City mandates the use of specific durable materials and prohibits types that pose safety risks.
• Approved Materials: Perimeter fences must be constructed of treated wood, cedar, wrought iron, aluminum, or vinyl.
• Prohibited Materials: Chain link, barbed wire, and electrified above-grade fencing are strictly prohibited in residential and park districts. Chain link animal enclosures are also prohibited.
• Solid Fencing Restriction: The City explicitly prohibits solid fencing consisting of wood or masonry.
• Safety Finishes: Metal fences (aluminum or wrought iron) may not possess exposed pressed points or other decorative finishes that could pose a safety hazard to the public or wildlife.
• Maintenance: Property owners are legally required to maintain all fences in good repair. Fences must not be allowed to lean or encroach onto neighboring properties.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Homeowners association (HOA) requirements and private covenants operate independently from City of Tega Cay regulations. Many residential developments in Tega Cay utilize covenants to impose more restrictive standards, such as mandating specific picket styles, prohibiting certain vinyl colors, or requiring higher maintenance standards. The City does not monitor or enforce private covenants; property owners are responsible for ensuring their project meets both City ordinances and any applicable neighborhood-specific restrictions.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Installing a fence without an approved Fence Permit or verified site plan.
• Placement of a fence in a front yard or within the 15-foot street setback.
• Construction of a solid/opaque wood or masonry fence.
• Utilizing prohibited materials such as chain link or barbed wire.
• Failure to maintain a fence in good repair, resulting in leaning or structural decay.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within the City of Tega Cay, South Carolina, based on publicly available materials reviewed as of February 2026.
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, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with the Zoning Administrator and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Tega Cay staff, the official sources control.
For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.