Arlington, TX Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front Yard 4foot
- Front yard: 4-foot maximum, 50% open if over 3 feet
- Side And Rear
- Side and rear yards: 8-foot maximum
- Corner Visibility Triangle
- Corner visibility triangle: 2.5-foot maximum within 25 feet of intersection
- Barbedrazor Wire Prohibited
- Barbed/razor wire prohibited in residential zones
- Commercial Adjacent To
- Commercial adjacent to residential: 8-foot solid screening required
Summary
Arlington's Unified Development Code limits residential fences to 4 feet in front yards and 8 feet in side and rear yards. Fences cannot obstruct corner visibility triangles, drainage easements, or sightlines at driveways. Commercial and industrial properties have separate standards and often require screening fences along residential boundaries.
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 requirements: (1) a barbed wire fence must consist of three wires on posts no more than 30 feet apart, with one or more stays between every two posts; (2) a picket fence must consist of pickets that are not more than six inches apart; (3) a board fence must consist of three boards not less than five inches wide and one inch thick; and (4) a rail fence must consist of four rails.
Full Breakdown
2, residential fence heights are measured from the lowest adjacent grade to the top of the fence. Front yard fences (between the primary building setback line and the front property line) cannot exceed 4 feet in height and must be at least 50% open if over 3 feet (wrought iron, split rail, picket). Solid privacy fences are prohibited in front yards. Side and rear yard fences may be up to 8 feet tall. 5 feet are prohibited within the 25-foot visibility triangle at intersections and 15 feet from driveways entering public streets.
Fences must be set back from sidewalks per the UDC and cannot encroach on public right-of-way. Commercial properties adjacent to residential zones must install an 8-foot solid screening fence or masonry wall along the shared boundary. Electrified fences are prohibited in residential zones. Fences within floodplains or drainage easements require city approval and must allow stormwater flow. Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in residential and most commercial districts (permitted only in industrial zones above 6 feet).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a 10-foot fence for extra privacy?
What counts as the front yard for fence purposes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington
How Arlington compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Arlington to another location·View the Texas fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle height limits.