2026 Guide to Fence Laws in Houston, Texas
Unlock the secrets of Houston's fence height regulations and ensure your property's boundaries comply with local laws.
Are you considering building a fence in Houston? Then the first step is to familiarize yourself with city regulations before you start your project. Rules about fence construction exist at each level of government. State laws may govern fence permits, city code may cover zoning, and you may even have applicable homeowners association, or HOA, rules for your specific neighborhood.
In the city of Houston, with its risks of flooding, there are special steps that must be taken before construction begins if your property is located on a floodplain. That's because the greater Houston area is at risk of 100-year floods, and floodplains are areas that would be flooded in case of rainfall of that magnitude.
In Houston, residential fence permits are required for some fences depending on factors like fence height or the material of the fence. If you are working with areputable fencing company, they will help you better understand any rules that apply to your fence installation project and whether or not you need to apply for a building permit. Below are the key laws you need to be aware of for your fence project in Houston, Texas.
Houston fence laws regulate the types of materials that may be used in the construction of a fence. Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fences are not permitted for residential use. Vinyl, which is sometimes prohibited for fences in some places, is allowed in Houston. All of the usual residential fence materials like wood, metal ornamental, and chain link fences are also permitted.
Keep in mind that if your fence will be constructed wholly or partially of concrete or masonry, you will need a permit regardless of height. This includes brick walls, stone fences, and concrete block construction.
Understanding the local regulations for fence height is essential when planning your property's boundaries. Here's an overview of the maximum fence heights allowed in different areas of Houston.
Fences in front yards must get approval from the Houston Planning and Development Department. Keep in mind that even if you get approval from the city, front yard fences may not be allowed in homeowners association developments. That's because the HOA makes its own rules for properties in the development that owners agree to when buying a home there.
As far as fence height for your front yard fence, the Houston Planning Department recommends a height of between three and three and a half feet tall. Most cities have similar height restrictions for front yard fences of around three feet.
Property owners are able to build backyard fences without getting a permit from the city as long as the fence isn't any higher than eight feet above grade. If you're planning to construct a fence higher than eight feet above grade, then you will need to get a permit. Fence height above grade refers to the distance between the highest point of the fence and the ground directly below that point. With a traditional backyard fence this would usually just mean the height of the planks of wood. Where height above grade comes into play is when a fence is constructed on top of a retaining wall, for example. In that case, the total height of the retaining wall and the fence could be taller than eight feet even if the fence itself is under eight feet tall.
For a fence on your side yard, Houston's ordinances allow you to build up to eight feet tall.
In Houston, fences must be built entirely on the owner's property. Before you construct a new fence or remove an old one, it's advisable to make sure you have evidence of the legal property lines. Oftentimes the City has the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) and can look up the property lines if it has been assessed. If it hasn't, it's a good idea to hire a land surveyor before proceeding with your plans.
You should also talk to your neighbor on the adjacent property about your plans and come to an agreement about any fences constructed near boundary lines. That way, you can agree on details of cost sharing and fence styles in order to avoid problems down the line.
One issue that sometimes comes up with shared fences is who gets the finished side of the fence and who gets the rails? With a good neighbor fence, both sides appear finished so no one gets stuck with the backside of a fence.
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Houston homeowners often don't need to get a building permit to build a standard fence. Fences not over eight feet high that are not constructed of masonry or concrete, and that are not electrically energized, are generally exempt from permits under Section R105.2 of the Houston Amendments to the 2021 International Residential Code.
Houston has 100-year floodplains—areas with a one percent chance of flooding in any given year. If your property is in an "A" or "V" Zone floodplain in Harris County, you will need to get a floodplain development permit to construct a fence.
The final reason you'd need to get a permit to build your fence is if it will be constructed wholly or partially of concrete or masonry. That's required regardless of height above grade.
When a permit is required, plan on a processing time of approximately 10 days. Permits are valid for six months, and an inspection is required upon completion.
In the Houston area, as discussed above, you will need to get a permit to build your fence if you live in a floodplain area. To see if your property is on a floodplain, check out this map.
Houston regulates clear vision areas for properties that are adjacent to intersections. No fences are allowed within a fifteen feet by fifteen feet visibility area from the property lines. A clear vision area is a triangular area in which two sides of the triangle extend out fifteen feet from the corner of the property and the third line connects the two. In that area, no fences are allowed. This is to make sure drivers can see clearly before proceeding through an intersection.
If your fence installation project is on a property within a historic district, or if your house is a designated landmark, you will need a Certificate of Appropriateness before construction begins. These specific rules ensure fences match neighborhood character. Contact the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission for guidance on approved styles and materials.
If you belong to an HOA, contact them for their fence regulations which could be different from those of the municipality.
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State law in Texas requires you to contact Texas 811 at least two business days before starting your fence project. This is a free service that's important for homeowners to use because every property has underground lines for things like water and gas. Hitting one of these lines could cause major property damage if not serious injury. Contacting Texas 811 first will help prevent you and your family from harm, prevent utility services interruptions and avoid costly damage.
Besides the issue of underground lines, replacing a current fence or constructing a new fence on your own without experience is not advisable for safety reasons. Building fences requires the use of things like nail guns, dealing with fence panels falling over, and the difficult and potentially dangerous job of removing fence posts.
Before starting your fence project, make sure to review your city, state and neighborhood rules governing fence construction. Each city can have different regulations, and every HOA has the potential to have their own specific rules about fences. You'll need to be familiar with these to find out if the fence you want to build is allowed, or requires a permit or special review.
Check out Ergeon's Houston page for more information on how to get started! Interested in learning about North Texas fence laws? Discover our 2024 guide to laws and regulations in the region.
Fence Regulations
Fence Regulations
Fence Regulations
