7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Galveston County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Galveston County cannot zone, so it sets no fence-height rule for unincorporated areas like Bolivar Peninsula, Bacliff, and San Leon. Inside cities the code governs: Galveston caps residential fences at 8 feet, and 4 feet for solid front-yard fences (5 feet if 60% transparent).
Galveston LDR Sec. 2.501(B)
Height. No fence or freestanding wall shall exceed the following heights: 1. 8 feet for any residential use, including multifamily uses...; 2. 4 feet for any solid fence or wall within a front yard of any residential use or 5 feet if the fence or wall is at least 60 percent transparent.
The county issues no fence permit—Texas counties can't zone. Cities require them: Texas City mandates a permit for any new, relocated, or height-changed fence, and Galveston requires a building permit and site plan. Unincorporated coastal lots may still need a floodplain or beachfront review.
Texas City Residential Fence Permit Guidelines
A fence permit is needed if: A new fence is being installed; An existing fence is being relocated; If the fence height is changing. A fence permit is not needed if none of the above apply to your fence project. It is then considered a repair only.
Galveston County sets no fence-line or cost-sharing rule—counties can't zone, and Texas has no general 'good-neighbor' fence-cost statute. Shared boundary fences are a private matter under Texas common law. Cities like Galveston add screening rules between adjacent uses.
The county doesn't zone retaining walls, but coastal drainage and floodplain rules still apply. The City of Galveston caps retaining walls at 4 feet and requires a fill permit; Texas City requires a permit for any retaining wall, with engineered plans over 2 feet.
Galveston LDR, Retaining Walls (Article 2), Subsec. E
Maximum Height. Retaining walls shall not exceed a maximum height of four (4) feet. Any increase to the maximum allowable height must be reviewed and approved by the Development Services Director.
Galveston County can't zone, so it mandates no fence—except the statewide pool-yard enclosure. Texas Health & Safety Code requires pool enclosures at least 48 inches high. Cities add screening-fence and maintenance requirements between certain uses.
Texas Health & Safety Code Sec. 757.003(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.
The county sets no fence-material rule—Texas counties can't zone. Cities do: Galveston bars barbed and razor wire, scrap lumber, sheet metal, plastic, and fiberglass on fences visible from a public street, with limited security exceptions.
Galveston LDR Sec. 2.601(C)(1)
Prohibited Materials. When a fence or wall is visible from a public street, the following materials shall not be used: a. Scrap lumber, plywood, sheet metal, corrugated metal, plastic, or fiberglass sheets; b. Barbed or razor wire... or welded wire or chicken wire; and c. Glass, spikes, nails, or other sharp point or instrument on the top or sides of fences.
No county material standard exists—counties can't zone. The City of Galveston requires durable materials like weather-resistant or treated wood, composite, ornamental wrought iron, powder-coated aluminum, brick, and stone, well suited to the corrosive coastal environment.
Galveston LDR Sec. 2.601(C)
Materials. Fences and walls shall be constructed of durable, high-quality materials used for commercial application including: weather-resistant wood species, wood treated with preservatives approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, painted wood, composite materials, ornamental wrought iron, powder-coated aluminum, brick ore, and stone.
1 cities in Galveston County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Galveston County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Galveston County Ordinance Hub →