Travis County, TX Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cost Sharing
- Not required by law
- Closed Range
- Travis is closed range
- Partition Fence
- TX Ag Code 143
- Dispute Forum
- JP or district court
Summary
Texas has no Good Neighbor Fence Act. Each owner is responsible for their own fence. Travis County does not mediate boundary fence disputes. Shared fence cost-sharing requires voluntary written agreement; otherwise disputes go to JP or district court.
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.
Full Breakdown
Unlike California Civil Code 841, Texas places no duty on neighbors to share fence costs. The TX Agriculture Code 143 applies only to livestock partition fences in closed-range counties. Survey recommended before construction to avoid encroachment claims. Contact Travis County at (512) 854-4260 for enforcement.
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Travis County
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