Building Permits

Installing a fence involves more than digging, postholes and nailing boards together. Not only
will a fence update the appearance of a home, a good fence design can add value and security.
However, before building a fence, there are a few important things to know.

● Inquire with the homeowners or neighborhood associations regarding covenants that dictate
fencing look, height, and material.

● Although a fence does not necessarily have to mark the border of your property line, it must
be entirely on your property. This means that you will need to know where your property
line ends and your neighbor’s property line begins. Your property lines can usually be found
by visiting the assessor’s or county recorder’s office.

● Idaho building code requires a permit for a fence 7 feet or taller in order to check the
engineering of the fence.

● Ammon has two ordinances pertaining to fences.
Ordinances

10-7-10: FENCES: No fence, wall, hedge, or other sight obscuring object or structure which is more than three (3) feet in height shall be constructed or allowed to exist above said height within fifteen (15) feet of any front lot line along any street. This section shall not be constructed to permit any structure, shrub, hedge or sight obscuring object to exit in violation of Section 10-5-8 of this ordinance.

10-5-8: CLEAR VIEW OF INTERSECTING STREETS AND WAYS: For the purpose of insuring reasonable visibility and safety in the residential districts and in the business districts which require buildings to be set back from the right-of-way line, a sight triangle shall be maintained on the corner of land adjacent to the intersection of two streets, or adjacent to the intersection of an alley or driveway and a street. Where two streets intersect, the sight triangle shall be bounded by the point where the two property lines (or extension thereof) that are adjacent to the two streets intersect, and by the point on each property line located thirty (30.0) feet from the intersection point. Where an alley or driveway and a street intersect, the sight triangle shall be bounded by the point where the property line adjacent to the street, or extension thereof, and near side of the alley or driveway or extension thereof intersect, by the point on the property line located thirty (30.0) feet from the intersection point, and the point on the near edge of the alley or driveway located fifteen (15.0) feet from the intersection point, The sight triangle shall be free from structures, except as otherwise permitted in this section. Trees and other obstacles to clear sight in such triangles shall be trimmed at least seven feet above the top of the curb to provide clear visibility up to that height, plus any additional height required to maintain visibility of street and traffic control signs. Trunks or other support structures shall not exceed twelve (12.0) inches in diameter, and (measured parallel to the street, alley, or driveway, from trunk or support structure center line to center line) shall not be closer to each other than twelve (12.0) feet. Shrubs, fences and walls, and other obstacles to clear sight located therein shall not exceed three (3.0) feet in height.