If you’ve ever walked past a NYC job site, you’ve seen it: that tall “site wall” (usually solid) that separates the public sidewalk from active construction. In New York City, that’s not optional decoration—it’s a life-safety requirement.

Under the New York City Building Code, BC 3307.7 requires construction sites (new buildings and full demolitions) to be enclosed with a fence, and it also requires fencing when there’s an excavation, an exposed ground-level hazard, or any condition that could put the public at risk.

Construction Fence Building Code: BC 3307.7 (The Big Rule)

When is a construction fence required?

BC 3307.7 says every site where:

• a new building is being constructed, or

• A building is being demolished to the grade
  must be enclosed with a fence.

It also requires fencing (full or partial) when there’s:

• an open excavation,

• an unenclosed portion of a building accessible at grade, or

• any other hazard to the public.

Minimum height + basic construction

The fence must be:

• at least 8 feet high,

• solid for its entire length, built from wood or other suitable material, and

• returned at the ends as needed to effectively close off the site.

Think of the fence as the site’s “seatbelt.” It’s there to prevent accidental entry, block debris risk, and keep the sidewalk safe.

Chain-Link Fence Exceptions (Yes, sometimes it’s allowed)

NYC generally wants a solid fence, but the code allows chain-link in specific situations—mainly when the risk profile is different or the site is stalled.

BC 3307.7 includes exceptions where chain-link may be approved/required, including:

• securing an interrupted/abandoned site after a registered design professional certifies hazards/materials are removed or secured (and the chain-link must be replaced with a solid fence before work resumes), and

• certain low-rise/smaller-building conditions with setback criteria (as described in the exception), and

• stalled work for two continuous years (with RDP certification), with replacement by a solid fence prior to resuming work.

Location of the Construction Fence: BC 3307.7.1

Where should the fence go?

When the fence fully encloses a site, it should be built:

• along the inside edge of the sidewalk or walkway, and

• along the property lines.

When it only partially encloses a site, it must be placed to prevent public access to:

• any excavation, or

• any unenclosed portion of the building accessible at grade.

Don’t block the city

The fence must not “unreasonably obstruct” visual or physical circulation and access to things like curb cuts, hydrants, street furniture, access points, etc. (This is a big reason why fence layout often needs coordination.)

Sidewalk encroachment?
The code recognizes that fences can encroach only when compliant with New York City Department of Transportation rules/permits.

Construction Fence Gates: BC 3307.7.2

Gates must be:

• sliding, or swinging inward (into areas not accessible to the public),

• installed only where needed for access or to facilitate work, and

• made of the same material and construction as the rest of the fence.

Gate rule everyone forgets:
Gates must be kept closed except during active loading/unloading, when people/vehicles are actively entering/leaving, or when work around the gate requires it.

Viewing Panels: BC 3307.7.3 (The 12” x 12” windows)

For solid fences erected on or after July 1, 2013, NYC requires viewing panels:

• 1 per 25 linear feet of frontage (minimum 1 per frontage)

• panel size: 12 inches x 12 inches

• material: nonfrangible acrylic (or equivalent)

• installed so the top of the panel is ≤ 6 ft above ground and the bottom is ≥ 3 ft above ground.

These panels help with inspection and public oversight without compromising the fence’s purpose.

Chain-Link Fence or Gate Requirements: BC 3307.7.4

If chain-link is allowed/approved for your situation, it must meet specific requirements, including:

• posts: galvanized steel pipe with adequate rigidity and a secure installation method,

• fencing: woven, galvanized steel wire mesh strong enough to prevent access,

• coverage: an opaque, sturdy windscreen fabric (or equivalent netting) securely attached per manufacturer specs and maintained neat/taut.

In real life, the windscreen isn’t just aesthetics—it’s part of how NYC expects chain-link to function safely and cleanly.

Fence Design: BC 3307.7.5 (Yes, wind matters)

Fence installations must be designed by a registered design professional, and the design must consider wind loads in accordance with Chapter 16.

Exception:
Fences installed for the construction or demolition of a 1-, 2-, or 3-family building that is 40 feet or less in height are exempt from this specific “designed by RDP” requirement.

Installation and Removal: BC 3307.7.6

The fence must be installed before work begins.

It must remain in place until either:

1. The site is filled and graded, and all public hazards are removed, or

2. The building façade is fully enclosed (doors/windows installed), and exterior work is complete except for minor incidental work like landscaping, painting, weatherproofing, or installing signs/fixtures.

Condition / Maintenance: BC 3307.7.7

NYC expects the fence to stay in good condition—always. It must be:

• properly installed and maintained,

• free of protruding/loose nails and loose wood/metal, and

• stabilized with upright posts to prevent leaning or overturning.

This is where many owners get in trouble: a fence that was compliant on Day 1 can become noncompliant after weather, impact, or poor maintenance.

Color Requirements: BC 3307.7.9 (Updated rule)

Your draft says “hunter green only,” but the current code language is broader.

For solid fences, acceptable colors include:

• hunter green, metallic gray, or white; and

• For certain existing buildings (not full demolition and not certain admin-code cases), a color matching the building façade/trim/cornice/sloped visible roof may be acceptable.

Also, if a sidewalk shed is installed, the fence and shed must be the same color.

DOB Filing Note (Owner-friendly tip)

NYC DOB guidance notes that temporary construction fence regulations are in BC 3307.7, and filings are handled through DOB systems (DOB NOW).
(Translation: this isn’t just a “field condition”—it’s often a documented compliance item.)

Quick Compliance Checklist (Save this)

Before your job starts, confirm:

• ✅ Fence installed before work begins

• ✅ 8 ft minimum, solid, returned at ends

• ✅ Proper location: inside sidewalk edge/property line, doesn’t block critical access

• ✅ Gates swing inward / slide + stay closed when not actively used

• ✅ Viewing panels (if applicable): 12”x12”, spacing + height limits

• ✅ Chain-link only where allowed + has windscreen fabric (if used)

• ✅ Fence design by RDP (unless 1–3 family ≤ 40 ft exception)

• ✅ Correct color + matches shed if shed exists

• ✅ Maintained: no loose nails, leaning posts, torn netting

Why do owners hire a consultant for construction fence compliance

Here’s the honest truth: the fence is “simple” until it’s not.

A zoning/code or DOB consultant helps you:

• avoid violations and stop-work drama caused by placement, encroachment, or gate issues,

• coordinate fence layout with sidewalk sheds, curb cuts, hydrants, and DOT constraints,

• document code compliance cleanly so your project doesn’t get stuck on preventable objections,

• handle special situations (stalled sites, chain-link exceptions, tight sidewalks).

If you want, I can also rewrite this into a service page (not just a blog post) for HN Republic so it converts visitors into calls.

FAQs: NYC Construction Fence Requirements

1) When is a construction fence required in NYC?

When a new building is being constructed, a building is demolished to grade, or there’s an excavation/grade-level hazard that could endanger the public.

2) How tall does a construction fence have to be in NYC?

At least 8 feet high.

3) Can I use chain-link instead of a solid fence?

Sometimes, only under specific code exceptions (like certain stalled/abandoned conditions or defined low-rise/setback situations), and it may need to be replaced by a solid fence before work resumes.

4) What are viewing panels, and when do I need them?

For solid fences erected on/after July 1, 2013, viewing panels are required (12”x12”) at a rate of one per 25 feet of frontage (minimum one per frontage).

5) Where should the construction fence be placed?

Along the inside edge of the sidewalk/walkway and property lines (for full enclosures), or positioned to block public access to excavations or exposed ground-level hazards (for partial enclosures).

6) Do construction fences have to be hunter green?

Hunter green is acceptable, but current rules also allow metallic gray or white, and in some cases a façade-matching color for existing buildings. If there’s a sidewalk shed, the fence and shed must match.

7) When can I remove the construction fence?

Only after the site is filled/graded and hazards removed, or after the façade is enclosed (doors/windows installed) and exterior work is substantially complete (except minor incidental work).

8) Do I need an architect/engineer to design the fence?

Yes—fences must be designed by a registered design professional with wind considered (Chapter 16).