Richardson, TX Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Sec. 6-205 sets the material rules for every fence built under the city's fence article. Subsection (a) lists the permitted materials: wood, concrete, masonry, chain link, wrought iron, metal tubing, vinyl, fiberglass composite, or any other material the building official approves for exterior exposure as fence material. Subsection (b) prohibits barbed wire, razor ribbon, sheet metal, corrugated steel and fiberglass panels, plywood, or any similar material manufactured for other uses, from being used as fencing anywhere the article applies. Subsection (c) carves out a narrow industrial exception: barbed wire is allowed in rear and side yards of industrial-zoned districts, but only if every strand sits at least six feet above ground level and the barbed wire fence stays at least 300 feet from any residentially zoned district.

Sec. 6-207 layers on additional prohibited locations and features regardless of material: no fence may sit within a utility easement without the easement holder's prior written approval, and no fence anywhere in the city may be electrically charged. Where a subdivision has a platted screening wall separating single-family rear or side yards from a public street, no separate wall or fence may be attached to that screening wall.