Brazos County does NOT regulate residential fence heights in unincorporated areas. Texas Local Government Code §233.153 prohibits counties from adopting zoning regulations or requiring prior approval before residential construction. Texas Property Code §§26.001–26.003 govern boundary fence disputes between neighbors but set no height cap. Inside the cities of Bryan and College Station, municipal zoning ordinances apply (typically 6 ft side/rear, 4 ft front).
Brazos County has no fence-height ordinance because Texas Local Government Code §233.153 expressly prohibits counties from adopting zoning under that subchapter, requiring prior approval before residential construction begins, or charging fees to enforce such rules. As a result, a property owner in unincorporated Brazos County may build a fence of any height on their own land, subject only to private deed restrictions, HOA covenants, and Texas Transportation Code visibility-triangle rules near county-road intersections. Texas Property Code §§26.001–26.003 govern the partition of boundary fences between adjoining landowners and the recovery of fence-construction costs but do not set statewide height limits. Texas Senate Bill 1588 (2021), now codified in Property Code §202.024, restricts HOA authority over perimeter fences and pool enclosures, requiring HOAs to allow reasonable security fencing. Inside the City of College Station, the Unified Development Ordinance generally limits fences to 4 feet in front yards and 8 feet in side and rear yards (with corner-lot sight-triangle reductions). Inside the City of Bryan, the Land Development Ordinance sets similar limits — typically 4 feet in the front setback and 6–8 feet behind the front building line — and barbed-wire and electric fencing are prohibited in residential zones. Brazos County does enforce visibility-triangle clearance under TxDOT-aligned road-design standards on county roads. Property owners should always verify deed-restriction limits and confirm that any new fence does not encroach on the neighbor's parcel before building.
No county fence-height ordinance; no county penalty in unincorporated areas. Texas Property Code §§26.001–26.003 boundary disputes resolved by civil suit and possible cost-sharing order. HOA / deed-restriction violations enforced privately by HOA board, typically with daily fines or injunctive relief. City of Bryan / College Station code violations: civil municipal penalty up to $500 per day under each city's code-enforcement chapter, plus possible removal order. Encroachment onto a neighbor's land may also support a trespass or quiet-title action.
See how Brazos County's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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