Tarrant County, TX Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Good-Neighbor Rule
- None at county level
- Closed Range
- Livestock must be fenced in
- Shared Fence
- Cost sharing by agreement
- Disputes
- Civil/JP courts
Summary
Tarrant County has no good-neighbor fence ordinance. Disputes are governed by Texas common law. Boundary fences on the property line are typically jointly owned with cost sharing negotiated between neighbors.
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.
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated Tarrant County has no fence-side or good-neighbor regulation specifying which side of a fence must face outward or how neighbors must share costs. Texas common law governs boundary fence disputes. Under Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 143, Tarrant County is a closed-range county for livestock, meaning livestock owners must fence in their animals, but there is no statewide residential fence-sharing mandate. Boundary fences straddling the property line are typically considered jointly owned, with maintenance costs shared by mutual agreement. If a neighbor builds a fence entirely on their own property, they are its sole owner and responsible for upkeep. Disputes over encroachment or shared maintenance go through Tarrant County Justice of the Peace or small claims courts.
Violations & Fines
No county fence-side ordinance exists. Civil trespass claims for encroachment are filed in Justice of the Peace courts (small claims under $20,000) or district court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side of the fence faces my neighbor in Tarrant County?
Can I make my neighbor pay half for a shared fence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tarrant County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Tarrant County to another location·View the Texas fence regulations overview
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