Muskegon Heights is a city of about 3.2 square miles between Muskegon to the north and Norton Shores to the south, with Roosevelt Park a short distance west. It was incorporated in 1891. Its fence rules are in Section 3.15 of the city's zoning ordinance, adopted in 2019 as Ordinance 19-635, with corner rules in Section 3.11. They differ from the City of Muskegon's in a few ways that matter, especially for chain link with slats.
Permit
The city's citizen handbook says a development permit is required for a fence. Get it before materials are ordered.
Where the fence can go
- A fence has to be on the owner's own property. It can be right on the property line, but the zoning administrator can require a survey if the line's location is questionable.
- Private fences can't be built in the public right-of-way.
- No fence can create a fire hazard or interfere with fire department access.
Height
Height is measured from the existing natural grade.
| Where | Limit |
|---|---|
| Residential front yard | 4 ft |
| Residential, behind the front building line | 6 ft |
| Commercial and industrial, behind the front setback line | 8 ft, with clear vision maintained |
Corner lots: the clear vision triangle
Section 3.11 bans any solid fence, wall, or planting screen between 30 inches and 8 feet tall inside a clear vision triangle at intersections. The triangle is formed by the street right-of-way lines and measures 15 feet on alleys and minor streets and 25 feet on major streets. On a corner lot, a solid privacy fence has to stop short of that triangle. A low or open fence inside it is the usual answer.
Screening materials, including slats
When a fence is used as screening, the ordinance allows three kinds of material:
- Solid board fences of standard commercial construction, with the finished side facing neighboring properties.
- Open mesh fencing with woven slats, of standard commercial construction.
- Masonry walls built for easy maintenance.
That's a real difference from next door. The City of Muskegon bans fence screening materials such as slats or mesh. In Muskegon Heights, chain link with woven slats is a listed screening option. HomeGuide puts chain link with privacy slats at $14 to $48 per linear foot installed, the cheapest privacy option in its privacy fence guide. Slats alone add $5 to $18 per foot. See chain link fences.
Not allowed
Barbed wire and razor wire are banned in every zoning district, except in areas protected for national security. All fences have to be kept in good condition so they aren't a hazard to people near them.
Practical points
Snow. NOAA's normals for Muskegon County Airport average 87.2 inches of snow a season. A solid fence near a driveway or sidewalk takes drifting and plow piles. Leave room for snow storage, especially on corner lots.
Old fences. If you're replacing an existing fence, the new one has to meet current rules, even if the old one was taller or in a different spot. See fence repair if you're deciding whether to fix or replace.
Digging. Michigan's MISS DIG law requires notice at least 72 hours before post holes are dug, not counting non-business days.
Cost
HomeGuide's national averages are $10 to $40 per linear foot for chain link, $20 to $50 for wood, and $30 to $60 for vinyl, installed. Angi's 2026 national average for a fence project is $3,277. See the fence cost guide.
Sources, checked October 23, 2026: City of Muskegon Heights Zoning Ordinance Secs. 3.11 and 3.15 (Ord. 19-635, via Zoneomics code mirror); City of Muskegon Heights citizen handbook; City of Muskegon fence guidance; Wikipedia, Muskegon Heights, Michigan (incorporation); Wikipedia, Muskegon Heights (geography); HomeGuide privacy fence and fence installation cost guides; Angi fence cost guide; NOAA 1991-2020 normals; MISS DIG law.