Fence Regulations in Arlington, TX (2026)
7 verified fence regulations for Arlington, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Arlington caps residential fences at 4 feet in front yards and 8 feet in side and rear yards under the Unified Development Code. Fences over 7 feet require a building permit, and corner-lot sight triangles restrict fence height near intersections to preserve driver visibility.
Arlington Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsPermit Requirements
Arlington requires a building permit for most fence construction, replacement, or repair that exceeds 50% of the existing fence length. Fences 8 feet and under in residential zones generally do not require a separate permit, but must comply with zoning setback, height, and location standards. Permits are issued through the Community Development and Planning Department.
Fence Permits in Arlington
Some RestrictionsNeighbor Fence Rules
Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 841 governs partition fences between adjoining landowners, but Arlington does not mandate shared cost or construction of boundary fences. Disputes between neighbors are generally civil matters. The city encourages written agreements and enforces only zoning, height, and nuisance standards, not cost-sharing between private property owners.
Arlington Neighbor Fence Rules
Few RestrictionsRetaining Walls
Retaining walls over 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) require a building permit and engineered plans sealed by a Texas-licensed professional engineer. Walls under 4 feet typically do not require a permit but must comply with drainage and setback standards. Tiered walls may be treated as a single wall if spaced too closely.
Arlington Retaining Wall Rules
Heavy RestrictionsPool Barriers
Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 757 and Arlington's adopted pool code require all residential swimming pools and spas deeper than 18 inches to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates. Barriers must be completed and inspected before the pool can be filled with water.
Arlington Pool Barrier Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsFence Requirements
Arlington's Unified Development Code limits residential fences to 4 feet in front yards and 8 feet in side and rear yards. Fences cannot obstruct corner visibility triangles, drainage easements, or sightlines at driveways. Commercial and industrial properties have separate standards and often require screening fences along residential boundaries.
Arlington Fence Height and Placement
Some RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code Sec. 143.028
Sec. 143.028. FENCES. (a) A person is not required to fence against animals that are not permitted to run at large. Except as otherwise provided by this section, a fence is sufficient for purposes of this chapter if it is sufficient to keep out ordinary livestock permitted to run at large. (b) In order to be sufficient, a fence must be at least four feet high and comply with the following requi...
Material Restrictions
Arlington permits wood, masonry, wrought iron, vinyl, and chain link for residential fences, with restrictions on barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing in residential zones. Front yard fences must be decorative and at least 50% open; solid materials are limited to side and rear yards.
Arlington Fence Material Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Tarrant County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Arlington city rules.
Fence Regulations in Tarrant County →