Fence Regulations in San Antonio, TX (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for San Antonio, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
San Antonio UDC §35-514 limits solid front-yard fences to 3 feet and open/decorative fences to 4–5 feet in front yards. Rear and side yards allow up to 8 feet under certain conditions. Historic districts require HDRC approval. Permits are required for all fences except exempt repairs.
San Antonio Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsTex. Property Code Sec. 202.022 (Swimming Pool Enclosures - Six-Foot Height Definition)
Sec. 202.022. SWIMMING POOL ENCLOSURES. (a) In this section, "swimming pool enclosure" means a fence that:(1) surrounds a water feature, including a swimming pool or spa;(2) consists of transparent mesh or clear panels set in metal frames;(3) is not more than six feet in height; and(4) is designed to not be climbable.(b) A property owners' association:(1) may not adopt or enforce a pro...
Retaining Walls
San Antonio regulates retaining walls under Code of Ordinances Sec. 6-181 et seq. and UDC § 35-514. Retaining walls under 4 feet tall do not require a building permit. The height of existing retaining walls is included in fence height calculations under UDC § 35-514, though barriers required by the International Building Code on top of retaining walls are exempt from this calculation.
San Antonio Retaining Wall Regulations
Some RestrictionsPool Barriers
San Antonio adopts the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) requiring permanent barriers around all residential pools. Barriers must be at least 48 inches tall. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching, with latches at least 54 inches above grade or on the pool side. Homes with direct pool access require alarms on doors and windows per Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 757.
San Antonio Pool Barrier & Fencing Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code § 757.004
(a) Except as otherwise provided by Section 757.005, a gate in a fence or wall enclosing a pool yard as required by Section 757.003 must:(1) have a self-closing and self-latching device;(2) have hardware enabling it to be locked, at the option of whoever controls the gate, by a padlock or a built-in lock operated by key, card, or combination; and(3) open outward away from the pool yard.(b) Exce...
Material Restrictions
San Antonio UDC §35-514 specifies approved fence materials: wood, chain link, stone, rock, concrete block, masonry brick, decorative wrought iron, or similar durable materials. Prohibited materials include plywood under 5/8", particle board, paper, plastic tarp, and items not designed as fencing.
San Antonio Fence Material Requirements
Some RestrictionsTex. Agriculture Code Sec. 143.028 (Fences - Sufficient Fence Materials and Height)
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...
Looking for Bexar County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Antonio city rules.
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