Carrollton, TX Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Rear/side yard max height
- 8 feet (§154.10(A))
- Front yard max height
- 36 inches (§154.10(B)(1)(a))
- Front yard opacity cap
- 50% (§154.10(B)(1)(b))
- Decorative embellishment allowance
- up to 2 ft above fence (§154.10(A)(3))
- Maximum fine
- $2,000 per conviction (§10.99(A)(2))
- Appeal deadline
- 30 days to Property Standards Board (§154.19)
Summary
Carrollton caps residential fences at eight feet in rear and side yards and 36 inches in front yards, where opacity cannot exceed 50 percent. Section 154.10 of the Code of Ordinances also bars front-yard fences from encroaching into the corner visibility triangle, with special rules for key lots and screening-wall transitions.
(1) Rear yard. It is unlawful for any person to construct, erect, maintain, suffer or permit a fence in any rear yard or along any rear yard lot line which fence exceeds eight feet in height as defined in section 154.12. (2) Side yard. It is unlawful for any person to construct, erect, maintain, suffer or permit a fence in any side yard or along any side yard lot line which fence exceeds eight feet in height as defined in section 154.12. ... (B) Construction in front yards. (1) Requirements. All fences constructed in the front yard of a residential property shall: (a) Be no taller in height than 36 inches. (b) Not have an opacity level exceeding 50 percent as demonstrated in Figure 5. (c) Not violate the visibility triangle as defined in the Carrollton Code of Ordinances.
Full Breakdown
12 from finished grade to the top of the fence body. Decorative embellishments above the fence body cannot exceed the fence height by more than two feet, and posts or finials may extend only four inches above the fence body (columns up to 12 inches). 10(B)(1). 10(B)(2). 10(C) requires the height to step down to the wall's height over a 20-foot run, though the Designated City Official (DCO) may shorten that transition for unusual terrain. 05(J) separately bars any fence from encroaching into a visibility triangle citywide. 11.
Violations & Fines
Building or maintaining an over-height or noncompliant fence is unlawful under Section 154.10. The DCO issues written notice of violation; if the owner does not correct it within 30 days, the city may perform the work itself and assess the cost against the property, securing a lien under Section 154.17 that accrues 10 percent annual interest. A conviction under Section 10.99(A)(2) is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, since Chapter 154 falls in the fire-safety/zoning/public-health penalty tier. An owner has 30 days from the notice to file a written appeal with the Property Standards Board under Section 154.19.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a backyard fence be in Carrollton?
What is the fence height limit in a Carrollton front yard?
What is the visibility triangle rule for fences?
What happens if my fence is taller than the code allows?
Can I appeal a fence violation notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carrollton
How Carrollton compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Carrollton to another location·View the Texas fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle height limits.