Unincorporated Bexar County does not issue residential fence permits. Fences inside San Antonio follow the city code, and subdivision plats or HOA covenants often restrict placement.
Bexar County has no countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated areas, which means routine residential fences generally do not require a county-issued building permit. However, Bexar County does enforce recorded plat notes, deed restrictions, and floodplain regulations administered by Public Works. If your lot is inside a recorded subdivision, the plat may limit fence height, material, or setbacks, and those restrictions run with the land. Inside San Antonio city limits, the Development Services Department requires compliance with the Unified Development Code including a 6-foot rear/side and 4-foot front limit, and corner-lot visibility triangles apply. Suburban cities such as Schertz, Converse, Leon Valley, Helotes, and Live Oak have their own permit thresholds, often triggered at 7-8 feet or for masonry walls. Floodplain properties must check with Bexar County Public Works before building any structure, including fences, that could obstruct drainage.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Bexar County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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