Fence Regulations in Travis County, TX (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Travis County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Travis County imposes no fence height limits in unincorporated areas because TX counties cannot zone. Height is governed only by deed restrictions, HOA covenants, or Austin ETJ rules where applicable. Most subdivisions allow 6 ft rear, 4 ft front.
fences/height-limits
Few RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 202.022
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 provis...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Texas has no Good Neighbor Fence Act. Each owner is responsible for their own fence. Travis County does not mediate boundary fence disputes. Shared fence cost-sharing requires voluntary written agreement; otherwise disputes go to JP or district court.
Fences: Neighbor Rules
Few 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...
Retaining Walls
A Travis County retaining wall taller than 5 feet must be designed and sealed by a Texas-licensed professional engineer before the county will issue a development permit for non-residential site development, a multi-family project, or a subdivision. The rule sits inside the county's cut-and-fill land balancing standards.
Engineered Retaining Walls Over 5 Feet
Some RestrictionsTravis County Code Sec. 482.943(a)(3)
A retaining wall over five feet in height shall be detailed in the construction plans sealed by a Texas licensed professional engineer and submitted with the development permit application for a non-residential site development, multi-family dwelling, or subdivision. Cut and fill located on a slope with a gradient of more than 15 percent is prohibited unless the design includes appropriate BMP...
Material Restrictions
Travis County does not restrict fence materials in unincorporated areas. Wood, metal, masonry, chain link, and wire are all allowed. No countywide ban on barbed wire, electric, or chain link. HOA and subdivision deed restrictions control aesthetics.
fences/materials
Few RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code Sec. 143.002 (Gate)
Sec. 143.002. GATE. A person may not build, join, or maintain around cleared land in cultivation more than three miles lineal measure of fence running the same general direction without a gate that is at least 10 feet wide and is unlocked.
Fence Regulations by City in Travis County
2 cities in Travis County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Travis County ordinances
See every category we cover for Travis County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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