Read this first
- This is a research summary, not legal advice. We cite official city pages and codes we opened in Nov 2026. Cities amend ordinances; your lot may sit in a planned development, historic district or HOA with stricter rules.
- HOA and deed restrictions often limit materials, height and style more tightly than the city. Get HOA approval separately.
- Call 811 (Texas 811) at least 2 business days before you dig post holes — even on your own property. Wait for the marks. (Texas 811)
- Pool barriers almost always need a permit and must meet separate barrier-code rules, regardless of ordinary fence-height exemptions.
- Last checked: November 2026. Where a fee, threshold or front-yard detail could not be confirmed on an official page, we mark it check with the city.
Quick comparison
| City | Permit? | Front max | Side / rear max | Fee (if published) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | Over 4 ft front or 6 ft elsewhere; pool barriers always | 4 ft (SF/duplex/townhouse) | 9 ft max overall | From fee schedule (value-based) — check city |
| Fort Worth | Solid over 7 ft; open over 8 ft | 4 ft open (≤50% density; no chain link) | 8 ft behind front setback | Check with the city |
| Plano | New / full replace; repairs ≤25% / 12 mo exempt | 40 in, ≥50% open | 8 ft max overall | See Plano fee schedule — check city |
| Frisco | Yes, except repair/replace ≤2 sections or 16 ft | 4 ft | 8 ft | Check with the city |
| McKinney | New fence, or any change in height / location / material | 48 in, ≥50% open | 8 ft 6 in | $30 (city page) |
| Arlington | When replacing >50% of a property-line run | 4 ft ornamental metal, ≥75% transparent | 8 ft | Check with the city |
| Denton | Generally yes for new/replacement (see city page) | 48 in in required front setback | 8 ft max | See Denton fee schedule — check city |
| Sherman | Yes (zoning §14.04.004) | 4 ft, ≥50% open (no chain link) | 8 ft screening | Check with the city |
| Allen | Check with Building & Permitting (CSS) | Check with the city | 8 ft (city guideline) | Check with the city |
| Garland | New install; corner lots; pools; height/location/material changes | 3.5 ft wood/iron; 2.5 ft masonry | 8 ft residential | $150 residential (+ tech surcharge) on city page |
“Check with the city” means we could not confirm that detail on an official page this turn, or the published figure sits in a fee schedule that changes. Click through to each city’s source below.
Dallas
- Permit: required for fences over 4 ft in a front yard or over 6 ft elsewhere. Pool / spa barriers always need a permit. (Dallas fence permit checklist, Planning & Development)
- Heights: residential front yard in single-family / duplex / townhouse districts: max 4 ft. Overall max in a required yard: 9 ft. Side/rear fences 6 ft or under generally do not need a permit; over 6 ft does. Over 9 ft needs Board of Adjustment approval, a building permit and engineer-sealed plans. (Dallas Planning & Development Guide — Fence Heights §51A-4.602)
- Fee: Dallas publishes a value-based building fee schedule; confirm the current accessory / fence line item with Building Inspection. (Permitting & Inspections — Fees)
- Notes: conservation / historic districts need extra approval. Solid front-yard panels (<50% open) must set back at least 5 ft from the front lot line in single-family districts.
Fort Worth
- Permit: building permits required for solid fences above 7 ft and open fences above 8 ft. (Fort Worth Residential Permitting)
- Heights: front / projected front yard: up to 4 ft open design (≤50% density; wrought iron, tubular steel, picket — chain link prohibited). No solid fences in the required front yard without a Board of Adjustment special exception. Behind the front building setback: max 8 ft. (Fort Worth Zoning §5.305 Fences)
- Fee: check with Development Services — not listed on the residential overview page we opened.
- Notes: corner visibility triangles (P.O.S.E.) limit height near intersections. Historic districts may need extra approval. An older city PDF mentioned a 6 ft solid-permit threshold; the current residential permitting page says 7 ft — confirm with the city if you are close to that height.
Plano
- Permit: required to construct or alter a fence. Repairs that do not exceed 25% of the fence area in a 12-month period are exempt. (Plano Residential Fence Permit Requirements; see also Plano Code §6-179)
- Heights: overall max 8 ft. Required front yard: max 40 inches and at least 50% open. Corner lots must meet sight-visibility clips.
- Fee: refer to Plano’s current fee schedule (Building Inspections, 972-941-7140).
- Notes: masonry fences / columns need engineered footing drawings. Contact your HOA for deed restrictions.
Frisco
- Permit: required for all fences except repairing or replacing a portion limited to two sections or 16 feet. (Frisco Building Inspections FAQ; code also at Frisco Code Art. IX Fences)
- Heights: rear and side yards: up to 8 ft from grade. In front of the main structure: up to 4 ft (code: 48 in, max 50% opaque). Observe vision clips / VAM.
- Fee: check with Building Inspections (972-292-5301) — not listed on the FAQ we opened.
McKinney
- Permit: required for a new fence. For an existing fence, required if you change height, location or material; like-for-like repair does not. (McKinney Fence Permits)
- Heights: rear yard max 8′6″. Front yard max 48″ and at least 50% open.
- Fee: $30 plus a site plan (survey or hand drawing), per the city page.
- Notes: city page also reminds you to call Dig Tess / 811 before you dig. Retaining walls need a permit at any height.
Arlington
- Permit: required when replacing more than 50% of the length of the fence along a property line. (Arlington UDC Information Bulletin — Residential Fences)
- Heights: privacy fences max 8 ft from highest adjacent grade within 10 ft. Front yard: max 4 ft, ornamental metal railing, at least 75% transparent (wood pickets / solid not permitted in front). Corner / reverse-corner lots have 2 ft visibility limits near the side street.
- Fee: check with Community Development & Planning (817-459-6504).
- Notes: new chain link is not permitted for privacy fences; existing chain link may be replaced with chain link or an approved material. Smooth / finished side must face the street.
Denton
- Permit: fence permit application required for typical new / replacement work; see the city’s submittal sheet for exceptions by fence type. (City of Denton — Fences)
- Heights: city page: no fence higher than 48 inches within the required front yard setback; maximum allowed fence height is 8 ft. Structural posts/framing must face the interior of the lot. Visibility triangle: a fence 24 in or higher along a property line may not sit in a 25 ft visibility triangle at a street intersection.
- Fee: see Denton’s permit fee schedule (linked from the Fences page).
- Notes: barbed wire, razor wire and electrified fences are not permitted in residential areas. Zoning can further restrict materials — see Denton Development Code §7.7.8.
Sherman
- Permit: required for fences and screening devices. (Sherman Zoning §14.04.004 Fences and screening devices)
- Heights: front yard: max 4 ft, decorative with openings not less than 50% of the fence area; chain link / woven wire mesh prohibited in the front yard. Side / rear screening fences: max 8 ft, solid, of wood, stone, brick, concrete block or similar. Patio screens inside the building area may go to 10 ft.
- Fee: check with Development Services — not listed in the ordinance section we opened.
- Notes: sight triangles at street and alley intersections. Metal panel fences prohibited in any district. Electric fences prohibited along public ways and common property lines (limited ag / animal exceptions).
Allen
- Permit: process residential permits through Citizen Self-Service; confirm with Building & Permitting whether your specific fence needs a permit before you start. (Allen Residential Services; Allen Residential Fence Guideline, Oct 2022)
- Heights: back and side yards: max 8 ft from adjacent grade (guideline). Combined retaining wall + fence max 12 ft. Front-yard height: not stated on the guideline PDF we opened — check with the city.
- Fee: check with Building & Permitting (214-509-4130).
- Notes: metal posts required; posts 18 in deep in concrete. Vision clearance at alleys / intersections. Check your HOA before applying.
Garland
- Permit: required for new installations, corner lots, swimming-pool yards, and any change in height, location or materials. (Garland — Fence; requirements PDF also linked there)
- Heights: residential max 8 ft measured from grade on the inside of the fence. Front yard: wood or wrought iron up to 3.5 ft (with required open spacing); brick / masonry (not cinder block) up to 2.5 ft.
- Fee: $150 residential on the city Fence page, plus a 4.5% technology / equipment surcharge. (An older requirements PDF listed $50 — use the current city page figure and confirm at intake.)
- Notes: visibility clips on corner lots. Call 811 before digging. Fences in utility / maintenance easements need removable sections on metal posts.
Before you dig: Texas 811
Texas law requires you to notify Texas 811 at least two business days before excavating — including digging fence post holes with a post-hole digger. Dial 811 or submit online at texas811.org, wait for the locate marks, and dig carefully around them. Several city pages (including McKinney and Allen) repeat this reminder on their fence materials.
HOA, easements and corner lots
- HOA / deed restrictions can ban certain materials (vinyl, chain link), cap height below the city maximum, or require a specific stain. City approval does not override your HOA.
- Utility easements: many cities require written utility permission or removable fence sections before you build in an easement.
- Corner lots: almost every city on this list has a visibility triangle or “clip” that keeps tall solid fencing away from the street intersection. Plan for it on the site plan.
Fence permit FAQ
Do I need a fence permit in Dallas?
Dallas requires a fence permit for fences over 4 ft in a front yard or over 6 ft elsewhere, and for every pool barrier. Fences 6 ft or under in side/rear yards generally do not need a permit. Confirm on the city's fence checklist.
How tall can a residential fence be in DFW?
It depends on the city and the yard. Front yards are usually 3.5–4 ft and must stay open. Side and rear privacy fences commonly top out at 8 ft (Dallas allows up to 9 ft; McKinney allows 8 ft 6 in in the rear). Check your city's section on this page.
What is Texas 811?
Texas 811 is the free utility-locate service. Call 811 or submit online at least two business days before you dig fence post holes, even on your own property, and wait for the marks.
Does my HOA matter if the city says yes?
Yes. HOA covenants and deed restrictions are separate from city code and are often stricter on height, materials and style. Get HOA approval on its own.
How much is a fence permit in McKinney or Garland?
McKinney's city fence page lists a $30 fee. Garland's Fence page lists $150 residential plus a technology surcharge. Other cities point you to a fee schedule — confirm at intake because schedules change.
Where should I start?
Pick your city on this page, open the official link, sketch a site plan, call 811, check your HOA, then price materials in the Projectulator fence calculator.
Ready to price the materials?
Posts, rails, pickets and concrete bags for a DFW wood privacy fence, with current Home Depot prices.
What does a fence cost per foot?
Dallas installed ranges by material, current bag and lumber prices, and a worked 100 ft example.