Fence Installation Permits in Austin

Local Rule

Austin Development Services Department; Austin City Code

Austin's Land Development Code (City Code Section 25-2-899) allows a solid fence along a property line up to 6 feet, or 7 feet where the grade changes by at least 1 foot, without a building permit. A solid fence up to 8 feet is allowed where it sits on the line between a residential lot and a commercial or industrial property, but it still needs a permit if it fronts a public street on a corner lot or sits in a floodplain. Ornamental fences, defined as no more than 20 percent solid material, are not subject to the solid-fence height limits at all. A permit is always required in a floodplain hazard area regardless of fence height or material.

Source · Verified September 2026

Austin Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Travis County

Austin's own rule is shown above (No permit under 7 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

City of Austin / Travis County

Texas has no statewide fence code, so the cities in Travis County set the rules. A permit is typically required only for taller fences (over 6 to 7 feet) or front-yard fences over about 4 feet; a standard backyard fence usually needs none. Masonry fences and fences in a mapped floodplain often need a permit regardless of height, and neighbors are not required to share fence costs.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Austin with a confirmed fence installation rule:

FAQs

Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need

Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a fence installation project:

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