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Fence Regulations in Mcallen, TX (2026)

6 verified fence regulations for Mcallen, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Height Limits

McAllen limits residential fences to 6 feet in rear and side yards, 4 feet in front. Properties near the US-Mexico border in southern McAllen may have additional security fencing considerations. Corner lot visibility triangles enforced.

Mcallen Fence Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Texas Property Code Sec. 202.023 (HOA Security Measures / Perimeter Fence Authority)

Sec. 202.023. SECURITY MEASURES. ... (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a property owners' association may not adopt or enforce a restrictive covenant that prevents a property owner from building or installing security measures, including but not limited to a security camera, motion detector, or perimeter fence. (c) This section does not prohibit a property owners' association from: .....

Permit Requirements

Standard fences under 6 to 8 feet typically don’t require permits in Mcallen. Taller and masonry fences may need building permits.

Mcallen Fence Permit Requirements

Some Restrictions

Neighbor Fence Rules

Texas has no shared fence cost statute. Each property owner is responsible for their own fence. No equivalent to California’s Good Neighbor Fence Act.

Mcallen Neighbor Fence Rules

Few Restrictions

Texas Agriculture Code Sec. 143.028 (Sufficient Fences Under Stock Law)

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 r...

Retaining Walls

Mcallen requires permits for retaining walls above a certain height, typically 4 feet. Engineering review may be required for taller walls.

Mcallen Retaining Wall Regulations

Some Restrictions

Pool Barriers

Mcallen requires pool barriers meeting safety codes to prevent drowning. Fences must be at least 4 to 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Mcallen Pool Barrier & Fencing Requirements

Heavy Restrictions

Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 757.003 (Pool Barrier Height and Opening Specifications)

Sec. 757.003. ENCLOSURE FOR POOL YARD. ... (b) The height of the pool yard enclosure must be at least 48 inches as measured from the ground on the side away from the pool. (c) Openings under the pool yard enclosure may not allow a sphere four inches in diameter to pass under the pool yard enclosure. (d) If the pool yard enclosure is constructed with horizontal and vertical members and the ...

Material Restrictions

Mcallen regulates fence materials by zone. Wood, vinyl, wrought iron, and chain-link common. HOAs often impose stricter material requirements.

Mcallen Fence Material Rules

Some Restrictions

Texas Property Code Sec. 202.023 (HOA Fence Type / Material Regulation Authority)

Sec. 202.023. SECURITY MEASURES. ... (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a property owners' association may not adopt or enforce a restrictive covenant that prevents a property owner from building or installing security measures, including but not limited to a security camera, motion detector, or perimeter fence. (c) This section does not prohibit a property owners' association from: .....

Looking for Hidalgo County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mcallen city rules.

Fence Regulations in Hidalgo County