• Legal garden fences can come in a variety of heights.Dougal Waters/Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  The purpose of fence height laws is to make sure all constructed fences meet certain requirements, such as for safety. These requirements can determine how high a fence can be, or how high a fence needs to be. Fences can be constructed to either enclose a pool, private property or livestock. Regardless of why the fence is being built, the owner should always check with her local ordinances to ensure building the fence correctly.
  
  

Privacy Fences

• Those who are looking to build a fence in either their front yard or backyard should always check the local ordinances that apply. Different areas have different regulations in regard to how high a fence can be. For example, fences in San Francisco cannot exceed 3 feet in height if the fence rests in the front yard; fences in the backyard may not exceed a height of 6 feet. Property owners in San Francisco do not need to apply for a fence-building permit if their fence is within these limitations. However, a permit does need to be obtained for those who wish to build higher fences.
  
  

Pool Fences

• Like privacy fences, pool fences also have height requirements. These requirements vary depending on location and state the homeowner lives in. For example, pool fences in Georgia have to be at least 4 feet in height to prevent children from hopping over and swimming unattended. In the city of Chandler, Arizona, all pool fences must be at least 5 feet in height according to the Chandler City Code of 2006. Pool fences in Chandler need to be built regardless of whether children have access to the pool or not. All residential pools in the state of New York must also be enclosed by a fence that is at least 4 feet in height.
  
  

Livestock

• Those who own livestock must build a fence to keep them maintained in some areas of the country. Like most fencing laws, the height of the fence depends on where you live. For example, under the guidelines of the Kansas Statutes Section 29-102, all fences built to maintain livestock must be at least 4 feet in height if they are built out of posts and rails. Livestock fences in Kansas only made out of rails, otherwise known as a worm fence, must be at least 4 1/2 feet in height.