San Marcos, TX Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- City Code § 74.123
- Sight triangle
- 20 ft from corner along each line
- Applies to
- corner lots at street intersections
- Penalty
- misdemeanor, fine up to $500
- Enforcement
- city manager can order immediate removal
Summary
San Marcos bans fences on corner lots that block sightlines within a 20-foot triangle at the street intersection, protecting drivers' view of cross traffic near the corner.
It is unlawful for any person to construct or replace, or cause to be constructed or replaced on that portion of any corner lot, which is within a triangle on the corner of the lot formed by a diagonal line intersecting the property lines at points 20 feet from the street corner intersection of the property lines, any fence that prevents traffic approaching the intersection on any street from clearly seeing traffic approaching the intersection on another street.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 41).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 74.123 prohibits building or replacing any fence on a corner lot within the sight triangle formed by a diagonal line connecting points 20 feet from the street-corner intersection along each property line. A fence placed in that triangle cannot block drivers on one street from clearly seeing traffic approaching on the cross street. The rule targets sightline-blocking fences specifically at corners; San Marcos has not published a general front/side/rear fence-height schedule in the Streets and Sidewalks chapter: that standard sits in the separate Land Development Code.
Violations & Fines
Violating this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 under the city's general penalty clause; the city manager can order immediate fence removal if it threatens safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back does the sight triangle extend from the corner in San Marcos?
Does San Marcos set a maximum fence height for front, side, and rear yards?
What counts as a 'corner lot' under this rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Marcos
How San Marcos compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Texas rules heatmap·Compare San Marcos to another location·View the Texas fence regulations overview
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