McKinney, TX Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Wood
- Allowed
- Wrought Iron
- Allowed
- Chain Link
- Rear/side only
- Corrugated Metal
- Prohibited residential
- Masonry
- Allowed
Summary
McKinney permits wood, wrought iron, vinyl, masonry, and tubular steel fencing. Chain link is restricted in front yards and along arterial street frontages. Corrugated metal, barbed wire, and electric fencing prohibited in residential districts.
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.(c
Full Breakdown
McKinney's Unified Development Code (UDC) regulates fence materials by zoning district. Allowed residential materials include cedar/pine wood (the dominant choice), wrought iron and tubular steel, vinyl/PVC, masonry (brick, stone, stucco-clad CMU), and composite materials. , Virginia Parkway, Eldorado, Stonebridge Drive) where decorative materials are required to preserve streetscape quality. Corrugated metal panels, sheet metal, plywood, and fabric/tarp fencing are prohibited in all residential districts as substandard materials. Barbed wire and electric fencing are banned in residential zones (see separate entry) and limited to AG (agricultural) and heavy industrial districts with specific permits.
SB 1588 (2021) bars HOAs from banning perimeter fences but HOAs retain authority over material, color, and style; most McKinney master-planned communities (Stonebridge Ranch, Craig Ranch, Tucker Hill) require stained cedar board-on-board with steel posts. TX Property Code 26 governs shared boundary fence cost disputes between neighbors.
Violations & Fines
UDC violation. Correction notice issued first; failure to replace non-conforming material within 30 days results in citation. Fines $200-$2,000 depending on district and duration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a chain link fence in my front yard?
Does my HOA override McKinney fence material rules?
Sources & Official References
- [1]McKinney UDC
Other rules in McKinney
Texas rules heatmap·Compare McKinney to another location·View the Texas fence regulations overview
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Material Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Collin County handle material restrictions.