Fruitport Charter Township covers 30.4 square miles on the south edge of Muskegon County, along the Ottawa County line. It had 14,575 residents at the 2020 census, and the village of Fruitport lies inside it. Fence rules are in Section 42-577 of the township's zoning code, last reworked by Ordinance 781, which took effect December 15, 2013.
Heights
| Where | Limit |
|---|---|
| Any yard except a required front yard | 6 ft |
| Required front yard | 3 ft, unless an open-type fence that blocks no more than 20% of visibility |
| Industrial zone | 8 ft, open type only |
The section doesn't give a separate number for an open fence in the front yard, so ask the zoning office what height applies. The practical read is that a solid wood fence stays at 3 feet in front, while a picket or wrought-iron style with real gaps is treated differently.
Taller fences by approval
Ordinance 781 lets the Planning Commission authorize a taller fence at site plan review. It weighs six things: the effect on neighbors, light and air, views, the reason for the request, the size, type and construction of the fence, and the fences already in the neighborhood. If you want something taller than the standard limit, ask early, because it likely means Planning Commission review rather than a counter permit.
Animal enclosures
In the R-6 district, an animal enclosure can't be placed in a front or side yard next to a residential structure. Dog runs belong in the back.
Pool fences
A pool must be enclosed by a fence of at least 4 feet that isn't easily climbed. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch on the inside. The building inspector may waive the pool fence if the whole premises is enclosed.
Permit and fee
The township's zoning permit application lists fees of $50 for a new residence, $25 for other projects, and $100 for a new commercial building. It asks for a site plan with the structures and their distances. The form doesn't name fences, so we can't say for certain which line applies to yours. Ask the zoning office before you pay.
Wood fence notes
Post setting matters more than board style on any Michigan fence. Ask each installer how deep they set posts and what treatment rating the posts carry. Our wood fence guide has the USDA decay-resistance table and cost ranges, including Angi's $10 to $45 per linear foot for wood.
Village and Ottawa County neighbors
The village of Fruitport is inside the township, and we haven't checked whether it adds its own rules. Across the county line, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg have different numbers. Norton Shores, to the west, limits front yards to 4 feet; see Norton Shores.
Questions for the zoning office
- What height applies to an open-type fence in a required front yard?
- Which fee line applies to a fence on the zoning permit application?
- Does the village of Fruitport add its own rules if my address is inside it?
- Is the posted code compilation the current version?
What to confirm
The code compilation the township posted cites an older ordinance from 2000, and the scanned Ordinance 781 is the later text. The posted compilation may lag the live code, so confirm the current wording and fee before you sign a quote.
Sources, checked October 26, 2026: Fruitport Charter Township Code, Secs. 42-575 and 42-577 (posted compilation); Ordinance No. 781, Walls and Fences (effective Dec. 15, 2013); Fruitport Charter Township Zoning Permit Application; Angi fence installation cost guide (Oct. 13, 2026); Wikipedia, Fruitport Charter Township, Michigan (2020 census).