⭐ Key Texas Rule
Texas has no statewide fence permit requirement. Permit rules are set entirely by individual cities and counties. Unincorporated areas of most Texas counties do not require a residential fence permit at all. Incorporated cities (Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, etc.) each have their own thresholds.
Texas Fence Permit Rules by City
| City / Jurisdiction | Permit Required When | Fee | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | Over 6 ft height | $85–$120 | (832) 394-8800 |
| Harris County (unincorporated) | No permit required | N/A | — |
| Dallas | Over 8 ft; front yard over 4 ft | $60 + plan review | (214) 670-3438 |
| Dallas County (unincorporated) | No permit required | N/A | — |
| Austin | Over 6 ft; screening fences additional rules | $196 minimum | (512) 978-4000 |
| San Antonio | Over 6 ft | $50–$100 | (210) 207-0100 |
| Fort Worth | Over 6 ft | $60–$100 | (817) 392-2222 |
| El Paso | Over 6 ft backyard; over 4 ft front yard | $55–$85 | (915) 212-0000 |
| Arlington | Over 6 ft | $50–$90 | (817) 459-6502 |
| Plano | Over 6 ft | $65–$100 | (972) 941-7151 |
HOA Rules in Texas: The §202 Framework
Texas has more HOA-governed communities than any other state. Fence rules in Texas HOAs are governed by Texas Property Code Chapter 202, which sets limits on how HOAs can exercise architectural control. Key protections include:
- HOAs cannot deny fence applications arbitrarily or in a discriminatory manner
- HOA rules must be applied consistently to all homeowners
- Homeowners have the right to a written explanation for any denial
- Homeowners have due process rights before enforcement action
See our full Texas HOA Fence Rules guide for wood vs. metal material disputes and how to respond to an ACC denial.
Setback Rules in Texas Cities
In most Texas cities, residential fence setback rules follow a standard pattern: fences may be built to the rear and side property lines in the rear yard, but must observe setbacks in the front yard and on corner lots. The right-of-way boundary (not the curb) is the front limit. Corner lot sight triangles are enforced at all major Texas city intersections.
Free: Fence Permit Application Checklist (PDF)
Includes a Texas-specific HOA pre-approval checklist.
⬇ Download Free PDFFrequently Asked Questions — Texas Fence Permits
In most unincorporated Texas counties, no residential fence permit is required. Texas does not have a statewide fence permit law, and most county governments in Texas do not regulate residential fence construction in unincorporated areas. However, if your property is in a flood zone, you may need a floodplain development permit from your county.
Yes, if the specific material requirement is written into the recorded CC&Rs. However, the requirement must be applied consistently, and a blanket prohibition on wood fencing may be challengeable if wood fences are already present in the community. See our Texas HOA fence guide for the full framework.
It depends on the city. In Houston and most Texas cities, fences up to 6 feet require no permit. Dallas allows up to 8 feet without a permit in most residential zones. Unincorporated county areas typically have no height limit requiring a permit. Your city's development services department can confirm the threshold for your address.