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...
Fence Permit Requirements
San Antonio requires a building permit before constructing or substantially replacing a residential fence, issued by the Development Services Department for a flat $25 fee. The only exemption is for minor repairs: work on fences six feet or shorter that replaces less than 25 percent of the fence's total contiguous length does not need a permit.
San Antonio Fence Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsSan Antonio Code of Ordinances Sec. 10-6(e); Sec. 10-38
(e)Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this chapter shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this chapter or any other laws or ordinances of the city or state. Permits shall not be required for the following:(1)Building:a.One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, p...
Retaining Walls
San Antonio requires a new or repaired retaining wall to be designed by a registered professional engineer, with plans approved by the director of public works before a building permit issues. Walls must resist the maximum lateral pressure of retained material, and unsafe walls can be declared a public nuisance.
San Antonio Retaining Wall Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Antonio Code of Ordinances Secs. 6-186, 6-188
Sec. 6-186. - Repairs to existing walls. The abutting land owner as well as any person using the abutting land shall when making repairs to an existing retaining wall, make structurally sound repairs as needed and make the repairs in accordance with plans and specifications prepared by a registered professional engineer; the plans and specifications shall have been approved by the director of p...
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
Light 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...
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