Fence Installation in Urbana, OH for Homes, Farms & Businesses
Urbana is the county seat of Champaign County, and fencing here looks different depending on which side of the city line you are on. In town, homeowners around Monument Square and the neighborhoods beyond want privacy, a safe yard for the dog, or a clean boundary that passes the city’s zoning review. Outside town, the same phone call is about pasture, a hay field, or a few acres that need a real perimeter.
Scheiderer Fencing is a Central Ohio fence contractor serving Urbana and the rest of Champaign County from our base near Marysville, a short drive west along US-36. We build wood privacy fences, aluminum and chain link, woven wire and high-tensile farm fence, and the gates that go with them. Every fence installation in Urbana starts with a free on-site estimate, so the price you hear comes from seeing your property, not from guessing over the phone.
We walk the property, check lot lines and ground conditions, and talk through what you need the fence to do. Curious what comes next? See how our crews install fences from layout to the final gate latch.
Ready to start? Request your free Urbana estimate or call 937-243-9991.
Fences for Urbana Homes and Backyards
Most residential calls in town come down to four goals: privacy, pets and kids, a clear property line, or curb appeal. The options we install most often are:
- Wood privacy fencing for backyards, in solid or board-on-board styles
- Semi-privacy wood fencing where you want airflow and a lighter look
- Aluminum fencing for front-yard borders and pool-area enclosures
- Chain link where budget and durability matter most
- Custom layouts for corner lots, slopes and irregular yards
A privacy fence in Urbana has to do two jobs at once: block the view you want blocked and still satisfy the city’s rules on height and placement, covered below. Solid boards block the most sight and sound, while spaced boards let air pass through for a lighter look. If you are undecided, our comparison of privacy vs. semi-privacy fence styles will help.
Dog owners have their own checklist. A fence that keeps a beagle in will not necessarily stop a digger or a jumper, so read about fences for dogs that dig before settling on height and bottom-rail setup.
Built for Champaign County Ground
Champaign County sits on glacial till, and many yards have clay-rich subsoil that drains slowly and heaves with Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles. That is why post depth, proper setting material and drainage matter more here than the panel style. We set posts below the local frost line and plan around low spots so your fence stays straight through wet springs.
If an older fence on your property already leans, here is why fences lean over time and how to fix it.
Urbana Fence Permit and Zoning Rules
Inside Urbana city limits, a fence is not something you can simply put up on a weekend. The city’s fence ordinance, Section 1129.10 of its codified ordinances, requires a fence zoning permit for every fence and wall. These are the rules homeowners run into most often:
- Height: 6 feet maximum in most districts, 8 feet in B-2 and M-1 districts.
- Front yards: a fence that extends past the front of the house is limited to 4 feet and cannot obscure the view from neighboring properties.
- Distance from the street: no closer than 3 feet to any right-of-way line.
- Property-line fences: both owners must agree in writing, the agreement goes in with the permit application, and posts go on the applicant’s side.
- Finished side out: the smooth, finished side faces outward, with rails and posts facing inward.
- Materials: stone, brick, wood, vinyl, chain link and iron are listed as approved. Other synthetic materials need city sign-off.
- No electric or barbed wire: fences cannot carry an electric charge, and barbed wire is allowed only on top of a perimeter fence in M-1 manufacturing districts.
- Slopes: fences should follow the natural lay of the land without harsh angles or stepped panels unless the city approves otherwise.
- Timing: a permit expires if the work is not finished within six months, with one six-month extension available.
Ordinances get amended, so treat this as a plain-English summary and confirm details with the City of Urbana’s Department of Zoning & Compliance before you lock in a design. You will find the city’s fence permit application on its permit forms page.
We lay out every project around these rules so the fence you approve is one the city can approve too. Outside the city, township and county rules apply and can differ. For the statewide picture, read how Ohio fence permits work.
Farm and Acreage Fencing in Champaign County
Step outside the city and Champaign County is farm country: cattle, horses, hay and row crops, with property lines that run a long way. Rural fence work is about tension and bracing more than looks. We build:
- Woven wire for general livestock containment
- High-tensile wire for long runs and open pasture
- Board and post-and-rail fence for horses and road frontage
- Braced corners and gate openings that hold their tension
- Driven posts where the ground and the job call for them
Boundaries between farms bring a legal wrinkle too. Ohio’s partition fence law, Chapter 971 of the Revised Code, can involve neighboring owners and township trustees, so understand who pays for line fences before you build or replace one.
Before our visit, walk the line, note where gates and water crossings should go, and mark any old fence you want removed. That saves time on site and makes the estimate more accurate.
Not sure which wire suits your animals? Our guide to livestock fence choices for farms walks through the options.
When you are ready to talk specifics, our farm and pasture fence page lists every system we build.
Commercial and Business Fencing in Urbana
Businesses in and around Urbana use fence for equipment yards, material storage, dumpster enclosures and controlled entry points. Taller fence is allowed in B-2 and M-1 districts, so confirm your zoning district first. We build commercial perimeters with heavy posts, reinforced bracing and gates sized for the vehicles that actually use them, and we schedule work to keep your operation running. Property managers can start with secure fencing for business properties and then request a site visit.
Gate Installation in Urbana: Driveways, Yards and Farm Entrances
We hang walk-through gates, double-drive gates for driveways and wide farm gates. Heavier posts and hardware at each opening keep gates closing cleanly for years instead of sagging. See gates that match your fence for options.
A Recent Project from Our Crews
One of our recent Central Ohio jobs was a four-rail board fence with 2×4 woven wire and custom gates, built to protect a garden and keep chickens contained. It is the same mix of board fence, wire and gates we build for Urbana-area properties that combine a house yard, a garden and a few animals. See recently finished fence projects in our gallery.
How a Fence Project Works
- Site visit and free estimate: We meet at the property, measure, and talk through material, budget, gates, slopes and any old fence that needs to come out.
- Planning and permits: We lay the fence out against Urbana’s rules (or township rules outside the city), confirm property lines, and allow time for approval where a zoning permit applies. Underground utilities are marked through Ohio811 before any digging begins.
- Installation: Posts go in first, set at proper depth and aligned, then rails, panels or wire, and gates last. Most residential fences take a few days. Farm jobs depend on acreage and terrain.
- Final walkthrough: We check alignment, gate swing and latches together, then clean up the site.
Price moves with material, height, total footage, terrain, gates and whether an old fence has to come out. See what shapes your fence quote in Ohio, then we give a project-specific estimate once we have seen your property.
Choosing the Right Fence Material
- Wood: the most popular choice for privacy and a classic look. Plan on periodic sealing or staining.
- Aluminum: decorative and low maintenance, best for borders and pool areas rather than privacy.
- Chain link: typically the most economical way to enclose a yard, kennel or commercial lot.
- Woven wire and high-tensile: built for livestock and long rural runs.
Still weighing options? Our guide to choosing between wood and vinyl covers upkeep and lifespan in Ohio weather.
Why Urbana Property Owners Choose Scheiderer Fencing
- One Central Ohio fence company that builds residential, agricultural and commercial fence, from a backyard to a pasture to a storage yard.
- Free on-site estimates and clear communication, with no pressure to decide on the spot.
- Flexible pricing built around each property’s needs and budget.
- A service professional with you at every step of the project.
- Layouts planned around local zoning rules before a single post goes in the ground.
- Monthly payment options available through our financing partner for larger projects.
What customers say:
“With such a large yard to fence in they gave us different choices in fencing to fit our budget. Worked quickly and gave us such a good product!” (Liz Thomas)
“Highly recommend this company for your fencing needs. Super to work with and fair-priced. They did a beautiful job!” (Gail Heath-Stokes)
Areas We Serve Around Urbana
From our base near Marysville we serve Urbana, Mechanicsburg and other Champaign County communities, plus nearby areas such as Bellefontaine and Delaware. If your property sits just outside that list, call and we will tell you plainly whether we can take the job. Browse other Central Ohio service areas.
Urbana Fence FAQs
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Urbana, Ohio?
Yes, inside the city limits. Urbana requires a fence zoning permit for every fence and wall, regardless of height, and the permit expires if the work is not completed within six months. Outside the city, check with your township or county zoning office.
How tall can a fence be in Urbana, OH?
In most districts the limit is 6 feet. A fence in front of the house line is limited to 4 feet, and B-2 and M-1 districts allow up to 8 feet. City officials can approve adjustments in specific circumstances.
Can I build a fence on the property line in Urbana?
Yes, with conditions. Both owners must agree in writing, the agreement must accompany your zoning permit application, and posts must sit on your side of the line. Fences must also stay at least 3 feet from any right-of-way line.
Are electric or barbed wire fences allowed in Urbana?
Not inside the city in most cases. The ordinance prohibits electrified fence, and barbed wire is permitted only on top of a perimeter fence in M-1 manufacturing districts. Properties outside city limits follow township and county rules.
What is the best privacy fence for a backyard in Urbana?
A wood privacy fence, solid or board-on-board, is the most popular choice because it blocks the most sight and sound. City code requires the finished side to face outward and caps front-of-house fence at 4 feet. Semi-privacy styles are a good alternative where you want airflow.
How much does fence installation cost in Urbana, OH?
It depends on material, height, total footage, terrain, number of gates and whether an old fence must be removed, so a reliable figure needs a site visit. We provide a free, project-specific estimate across Urbana and Champaign County.
How long does fence installation take?
Most residential fences are finished within a few days once materials are ready and any required permit is approved. Larger farm and commercial projects depend on footage and terrain, and we give you a timeline at the estimate.
Do you install farm and livestock fence outside Urbana?
Yes. We install woven wire, high-tensile, board and post-and-rail fence for cattle, horses and mixed livestock across Champaign County and nearby areas, along with the braced corners and gates that keep long runs tight.
How do I find a reliable fence contractor near Urbana?
Ask for proof of insurance, recent local references and photos of finished work, plus a written scope that names the fence type, height and gates. Our list of questions to ask before hiring a fence contractor works as a ready checklist.
Get a Free Fence Estimate in Urbana, OH
Whether it is a six-foot privacy fence behind a house near downtown or a few thousand feet of woven wire on a farm outside town, the next step is the same: schedule a free property visit or call 937-243-9991. We will look at the site, talk through the rules that apply, and give you an estimate based on your property, not a generic price list.
