Tarrant County does not regulate residential fence heights in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general zoning and police power (Local Gov Code Ch. 233 covers building lines, fire code, and substantial improvements but not fence height). Cities — Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, North Richland Hills — are the primary fence regulators inside their limits.
Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233 limits county regulatory authority to building setback lines (Subchapter B), fire codes (Subchapter C), and substantial-improvement permits in flood areas (Subchapter F). Counties cannot impose general zoning or fence height limits in unincorporated areas. The Tarrant County Subdivision Regulations and Land Use Regulations govern platting, drainage, and right-of-way but contain no fence height provisions. Most Tarrant County land is incorporated into 41 cities, where municipal fence ordinances apply: Fort Worth typically allows 4 ft front and 8 ft rear/side residential fences (Zoning Ord. §6.301), and Arlington allows 4 ft front and 8 ft rear/side (UDC §5.4.4). HOAs and recorded deed restrictions enforce stricter private limits across most subdivisions.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Tarrant County's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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