The self-supporting fence or baluster shelf bracket is a device that is adapted to attach onto and support itself perpendicularly with respect to a fence picket or baluster. Moreover, the self-supporting fence or baluster shelf bracket is adapted to interface with the fence picket or baluster provided the fence picket or baluster is vertically oriented. The self-supporting fence or baluster shelf bracket includes a shelf-supporting arm and a back support member that are parallel with one another, and translate relative to one another via a pair of lever arms. Installed, the fence picket or baluster is adapted to be sandwiched between the shelf-supporting arm and the back support member. The shelf-supporting arm is elongated and able to receive and support a shelf member thereon and at a perpendicular orientation with respect to the fence picket or baluster.