Sherman, TX Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Sherman regulates fence materials in § 14.04.004 of its zoning ordinance, and the rules are written as flat prohibitions. Subsection (b)(7) says metal panel fences are not permitted in any district. Subsection (b)(4) bans electric fences or wires along and adjoining any public street, alley or public grounds and any common property line, and says such fences or wires shall not be erected, maintained, re-erected or repaired.

Front yards carry their own material rules. In both residential and non-residential districts a front-yard fence is capped at four feet, must be decorative, and must have openings in not less than fifty percent of the fence area. Chainlink, woven wire mesh or similar materials are expressly not decorative and are prohibited there. Side and rear screening fences in a residential district must be wood, stone, brick, concrete block or another suitable material customarily used in residential landscaping, with a completely solid area and no openings.

Barbed wire is handled twice. Section 14.04.004(d)(6) makes it unlawful to build a barbed wire fence on, along or adjoining any public street, alley or grounds, or to lay barbs on top of a wooden or other fence next to one, because such fences are regarded as dangerous to the traveling public. The director of development services can approve them for factories and manufacturing establishments, livestock husbandry, or protection of public utilities in war or emergency. Chapter 8 repeats the ban in § 8.02.003, where the building inspector issues the special permit.

On agricultural land over two acres with active agricultural use, line fences can use materials customarily used in agriculture, but poultry netting or welded wire on t-posts is not permitted. The development services director can approve electric fences or wires in agricultural areas for farm animals, and elsewhere to control dogs or other small animals, if the wires sit inside a fenced protective enclosure.