How high can you build a fence?

Renovating your home could include plans to build a larger fence to help complete the look of your home. In Austin, there are certain laws and restrictions that could change the dream fence you have in mind.

Fence Height in Austin

According to the Fences as Accessory Uses City Code 25-2-899, a solid fence made on your property’s boundary lines must not pass a maximum height of 7 feet at any point or an average height of 6 feet.

These regulations apply to any structure or partition that is used to divide, mark, or enclose a property and must be kept in mind before you start construction.

Fence material isn’t specified so you can construct a solid fence using any material, provided the fence complies with these height regulations.

What to Do If You Want to Build a Higher Fence

If you want to build a higher fence, you must apply for and obtain a Residential Fence Permit from the City of Austin’s Planning and Development Review Department.

The department may allow you to build a solid fence of a maximum of 8 feet along your property line if there is no safety concern or a change in grade of at least 2 feet within 50 feet of the boundary between your property and your neighbor’s property

Your neighbor must also provide written consent to show approval for the new fence height.

The City of Austin may also allow you to build a solid 8-foot fence if your property is next to a commercial property or if you want to construct a fence on or within your property’s setback lines, which are usually around 5 or 10 feet from your property line.

This can easily be checked by checking a copy of your site plan showing the setback lines when the property was bought.

When evaluating your request for a permit, the department will consider the location of your proposed fence. You may be prohibited from building a fence higher than 3 feet if it is within 20 feet of an intersection on the street.

Meeting the regulations that the City of Austin has set up for height regulations does not have to be difficult, especially when it comes to making the home of your dreams. By working with a dependable fencing company like Ranchers Fencing, you can ensure that your fence will be constructed correctly and within regulations.