Post Falls fence rules and permits

A plain-English guide for Post Falls, Idaho homeowners. Always confirm with the city before work starts. Rules change.

Do you need a permit?

No. The city does not require a permit to install a fence. The fence still must meet the city's height and property rules. It must sit on or inside your property line, and a licensed surveyor can find your corner pins.

Who to ask: Post Falls Community Development Department (website)

The rules

• Fences cannot exceed 3 ft in the required front yard setback.
• Fences cannot exceed 6 ft in rear and side yard setback areas, unless the code allows more.
• Height is measured from the finished grade of the yard to the top of the fence.
• On a corner lot, a fence along the street-side yard can be 6 ft, as long as it does not extend into the front yard setback.
• A corner-lot fence next to a neighbor's side yard cannot block the view of the neighbor's driveway or be taller than 3 ft.
• A new fence that affects the view from an existing driveway must leave a 10 ft by 10 ft vision clearance on your property.
• A new driveway next to an existing fence taller than 3 ft must sit at least 15 ft from that fence.
• Fences must be on or inside the property line. Property pins mark the corners.

HOAs

Many Post Falls subdivisions have HOAs with their own fence rules, which can be stricter than the city. Check your covenants first.

Call before you dig

Dig Safe North Idaho 811: dial 811. Kootenai County is served by Dig Safe North Idaho 811 (800-428-4950). Request locates at least 2 full business days before you dig, and no more than 10 business days ahead.

Local conditions

Post Falls has cold, snowy winters like the rest of Kootenai County. Plan for frozen ground and heavy snow.

• Frost depth near Coeur d'Alene is 24 inches minimum, so set posts below it. Post Falls' own figure was not confirmed.
• Snow drifts push on solid panels and gates, so strong posts matter.
• Wood needs stain or sealer to handle wet spring and snow melt.
• Know your property pins before you set the line. A wrong line can mean a neighbor dispute.

Good to know

• Post Falls had an estimated 44,194 residents in 2022, making it Idaho's ninth-largest city.
• The city's fence FAQ says it does not require a permit to install a fence.
• The Community Development Department phone on the city's fence sheet is (208) 773-8708.
• The city's pool submittal sheet points to the 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, Section 305, which sets a 48 inch minimum barrier height.
• Kootenai County locate requests go to Dig Safe North Idaho 811.