Pop. 918,915 · Tarrant County
Fort Worth requires swimming pools to have a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates, matching International Residential Code Appendix G as adopted by the city.
Fort Worth requires a building permit for retaining walls taller than 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing, with engineered plans and drainage design required.
Fort Worth Zoning Sec. 5.305 limits front-yard fences to open designs with at least 50% transparency, effectively barring solid wood, masonry, or vinyl panels in the front yard of one- and two-family lots. Barbed wire and electric fences are restricted in residential districts.
Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance §5.305 caps residential front-yard fences at 4 feet with open design (max 50% density), and behind the front building line allows solid fences up to 7 feet and open fences up to 8 feet without a permit. Corner-lot sight triangles cap fences at 2 feet within a 20-foot triangle, and the Texas Local Government Code Chapter 211 authorizes the city's zoning enforcement.
Fort Worth has no city ordinance requiring neighbors to share fence costs or notify each other before building. The city only enforces fence height, location, and material standards under zoning Sec. 5.305. Cost-sharing is a private civil matter.
Fort Worth generally allows residential fences up to 4 feet in front yards and 8 feet in side and rear yards without a building permit, subject to zoning and corner visibility rules.
Fort Worth requires building permits for fences over 6 feet tall and for masonry fences. Standard wood or chain-link fences up to 6 feet (8 feet behind the front building line) generally do not require a permit, but all fences must comply with zoning Sec. 5.305.
Fort Worth Sec. 22-159 defines abandoned vehicles as stored on public street 5+ days at same location. Abandoned Vehicle Enforcement (AVE) unit stickers with warning. On private property: Code Compliance 817-392-1234. Police non-emergency: 817-335-4222.
Fort Worth allows residential Level 2 EV charger installation with a standard electrical permit, and Texas Property Code Section 202.018 limits HOA restrictions on homeowner EV charging.
Fort Worth does not impose a citywide overnight street parking ban. Most residential streets allow overnight parking, but oversized vehicles, RVs, and commercial vehicles face restrictions.
Under Fort Worth Code Sec. 22-160, it is unlawful to park a vehicle on any unpaved portion of the front or side yard of a residential lot in A, A-R, B, R-1, or R-2 districts. Parking must be on a hard-surfaced driveway or cement-curbed gravel drive.
Fort Worth Sec. 22-159 prohibits parking at same street location for more than 5 consecutive days. Moving less than 1/10 mile does not reset the clock. Standard violations: facing traffic, blocking sidewalks, within 15 ft of hydrant. Fine up to $200; $50 boot fee.
Fort Worth Sec. 22-162.2 prohibits large/oversize recreational vehicles on public streets in any area. Sec. 22-160 restricts front/side yard RV parking to hard-surfaced driveways, gravel with cement curbing, or side yard with 6-foot screening fence.
Fort Worth Sec. 22-162.2 bans commercial vehicles over 15,000 lbs GVW or 15+ passengers on residential streets (loading/unloading excepted). Max 2 hours on non-residential streets. Sec. 22-162 prohibits them in front, side, or rear yards of residential zones.
Fort Worth has no dibs or space-saving ordinance. Texas rarely experiences heavy snowfall that prompts such policies. Sec. 22-159 prohibits storing vehicles on public streets for more than 5 consecutive days. Placing objects such as chairs or cones to reserve public street parking spaces is not authorized and may constitute obstruction of a public roadway.
Fort Worth permits tiny homes on foundations meeting IRC Appendix Q, but prohibits tiny homes on wheels as permanent dwellings in most residential zones.
Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance Section 5.301 governs accessory uses on residential lots. Non-habitable accessory structures (sheds) are limited to 10 feet in height (up to 12 feet with additional setback) and must comply with side and rear setbacks for the primary structure. Sheds over 120 sq ft require a building permit.
Yes — you need a building permit for any accessory dwelling unit in Fort Worth, whether it is a detached ADU, an attached ADU, or a garage conversion. Fort Worth regulates ADUs as 'Accessory Uses on Residential Lots' under §5.301 of the Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A to the City Code). In one-family ('A' through 'AR') districts, an ADU is permitted as an accessory dwelling but cannot be operated as a separate, independent residence. ADUs must observe the side and rear setbacks of the underlying zoning district and may not exceed the height of the primary residence.
Yes — you need a building permit to convert a garage into living space in Fort Worth. A converted garage is treated as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) under §5.301 of the Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance. In one-family districts the converted space cannot be used as a separate, independent residence, must comply with the side and rear setbacks of the primary dwelling, and cannot exceed the height of the main house.
Carports in Fort Worth require a building permit. Under zoning Sec. 5.301, rear-yard carports up to 400 sq ft may sit as close as 1.5 ft from the rear lot line on lots up to 7,500 sq ft, and side-yard carports up to 200 sq ft may sit 1.5 ft from the side lot line, subject to height and roof-pitch matching the main house. Front-yard carports are not allowed except by special exception.
Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance Section 5.300 requires that one of the dwellings (primary or ADU) be owner-occupied. ADUs cannot be sold separately from the primary residence. The owner-occupancy requirement is enforced through code compliance complaints and may require a recorded deed restriction in some districts.
Fort Worth charges impact fees on new ADUs under City Code Chapter 35 (Impact Fees) authorized by Texas Local Government Code Chapter 395. Standard 2025 impact fees for an ADU run approximately $4,000-$8,000 covering water, wastewater, and roadway capacity, plus building permit and plan review fees of $500-$1,500.
Fort Worth permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in most residential zoning districts under the Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance Section 5.300. Permits are reviewed by the Development Services Department through the Accela permit portal. Most ADUs require a building permit; new detached ADUs may also require zoning verification or a Special Exception in some districts.
Fort Worth allows long-term rental of an ADU (30+ days) but only when the primary dwelling is owner-occupied (Zoning Ord. Sec. 5.300). Short-term rentals under 30 days are restricted under Fort Worth Code Ch. 7 (Short-Term Rentals), which requires registration, occupancy limits, and excludes most residential districts.
Fort Worth allows home occupations as a right in residential zones with a simple registration, provided the business is incidental, uses no signage, and produces no external impacts.
Texas Cottage Food Law allows Fort Worth residents to sell non-potentially-hazardous homemade foods with no city permit, up to $50,000 per year in gross sales with labeling requirements.
Home daycares in Fort Worth must obtain a state HHSC permit and may operate under the home occupation standard in Zoning Sec. 5.116.A. Family Day Homes (caring for 4 or more unrelated children) require a registered or licensed status from Texas HHSC and zoning sign-off from Fort Worth Development Services.
Fort Worth Zoning Sec. 5.116.A prohibits exterior signs and any visible evidence of a home occupation from the street. No on-premises commercial signs are allowed for businesses operated from a residential dwelling.
Fort Worth Zoning Sec. 5.116.A allows a home occupation as an incidental, secondary use of a dwelling. The business must be conducted entirely within the principal dwelling, attached garage, or one accessory building, with no activity visible from the street.
Under Fort Worth Zoning Sec. 5.116.A, the combined number of employees, customers, and family members present at a home occupation at one time cannot exceed the legal occupancy of the dwelling unit. Activity must remain invisible from the street.
Fort Worth's weed and brush ordinance requires property owners to keep grass under 12 inches and brush cleared, with enforcement by Code Compliance on a complaint and inspection basis.
Fort Worth has adopted the International Fire Code with local amendments through Fire Code Chapter 13. IFC Chapter 61 governs liquefied petroleum gas storage, with permits, setback distances, and tank-size limits enforced by the Fort Worth Fire Marshal.
Fort Worth requires working smoke alarms in every sleeping area and on every floor under the adopted International Fire Code and Texas Property Code Section 92.251 for rentals.
Open burning of yard waste is prohibited inside Fort Worth city limits, but contained recreational fires in approved pits under three feet across and using clean wood are allowed.
Fort Worth Code Chapter 13 adopts the 2021 International Fire Code, which generally prohibits open burning of refuse and yard waste inside city limits. The Fire Marshal may also impose temporary burn bans during drought.
Fireworks are illegal in Fort Worth per city ordinance 3301.3 — possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, and use all prohibited. Fine up to $2,000. Also illegal within 5,000 feet outside city limits. Report violations: 817-392-3000.
Fort Worth requires permanent fire pits of noncombustible materials, minimum 10 feet from structures. Must be constantly attended with 4-A rated extinguisher available. During burn bans, social gathering fire pits may be excluded but check current orders.
Tarrant County does not designate formal wildfire hazard zones. The Texas A and M Forest Service maps WUI risk statewide, with parts of western Tarrant County rated moderate risk during drought.
Fort Worth adopted a short-term rental ordinance in 2023 requiring all STRs to register with the city, collect Hotel Occupancy Tax, and limit most whole-home rentals to specific zoning districts.
Fort Worth's 2023 short-term rental ordinance requires registration and operating standards but does not impose a hosted-only presence rule. Operators need not stay on-site during stays; instead the ordinance limits STRs through zoning and primary-residence framing.
Fort Worth's 2023 short-term rental ordinance restricts STRs to multifamily and mixed-use zoning districts, effectively pushing whole-home rentals toward owner-occupied primary residences. Single-family STRs face zoning limits as the city tightens enforcement against unregistered operators.
Fort Worth charges a 9% Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) on stays under 30 days (7% city tax plus 2% special venue district tax). STR registration costs $150 initial and $100 annual renewal under Ordinance 26005-02-2023. State HOT of 6% applies separately.
Fort Worth STRs must provide off-street parking equal to the number of bedrooms, and overflow onto neighboring streets is a common trigger for complaints and enforcement.
Fort Worth caps short-term rental occupancy at two guests per bedroom plus two additional, with a firm maximum often set at 10 guests per property regardless of bedroom count.
Fort Worth's short-term rental ordinance (Ord. 26005-02-2023, codified as Article XIII of the registration chapter) requires operators to carry liability insurance and provide proof to the city as part of registration.
Fort Worth requires every short-term rental to be registered with the City under Code of Ordinances Chapter 7, Article XIII (Short-Term Rental Registration), adopted February 14, 2023. Initial registration is $150 with a $100 annual renewal. STRs are prohibited in residential zoning districts and only permitted in mixed-use, form-based, commercial, and industrial zones. Operating in a residential zone is a citable Class C misdemeanor.
Fort Worth short-term rentals must follow Chapter 23 noise limits, and the STR ordinance adds a specific 10:00 PM amplified-sound cutoff with three-strike registration consequences.
Tarrant County cities do not impose annual night caps on STRs, but most cap each booking at 29 nights. Stays over 29 nights convert to long-term tenancies under Texas Property Code Chapter 92.
Fort Worth Animal Care and Control requires licensed dogs and cats to carry a registered microchip. Owners must keep contact information current with the chip registry, and shelters scan every impounded animal to expedite reunification.
Fort Worth Animal Care and Control follows a hazing-first coyote management policy. Texas Parks and Wildlife classifies coyotes as nongame; residents may legally haze coyotes to restore fear of humans, with lethal removal reserved for confirmed aggressive animals.
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 6 caps household dogs and cats at five total adult animals per residence without a multiple animal permit. Larger households need an inspection and permit through Fort Worth Animal Care and Control before keeping additional pets.
Fort Worth prohibits feeding wildlife including coyotes, raccoons, feral hogs, and bobcats under Chapter 6, though songbird and squirrel feeding from standard feeders is allowed.
Fort Worth Code Sec. 11A-22 allows fowl on residential property with caps tied to lot size: 12 fowl (max two roosters) on lots up to 1/2 acre, 25 fowl over 1/2 acre but under 1 acre, and 50 fowl on 1+ acre lots. Coops must be at least 50 feet from any neighbor's residence.
Fort Worth, despite its Cowtown heritage, restricts livestock on urban lots. Horses, cattle, goats, and swine require agricultural zoning or minimum acreage; chickens and bees are allowed with limits.
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 6 requires dogs and cats over six months old to be spayed or neutered unless the owner obtains an annual intact-animal permit from Animal Care and Control. The rule aims to reduce shelter intake and euthanasia citywide.
Fort Worth Animal Care and Control investigates suspected hoarding under City Code Chapter 6 and Texas Penal Code 42.092. Officers may seize neglected animals, file misdemeanor or felony charges, and seek court-ordered relinquishment of all animals.
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 6 requires cats over four months old to be registered with Animal Care and Control and vaccinated against rabies. Owners must keep proof of current vaccination, and feral colony caretakers may participate in trap-neuter-return programs.
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 6 regulates pet shops through licensing, sourcing disclosure, and humane handling standards. Unlike Dallas, Fort Worth has not adopted a strict shelter-only sourcing ban for retail dogs and cats as of 2026.
Fort Worth allows beekeeping on residential property under Chapter 6 of the Code. If hive entrances are perpendicular to and within 25 feet of a property line, the keeper must install a solid 6-foot-tall wall, fence, or hedge between the hives and the property line as a flyway barrier.
Fort Worth does not ban any dog breed. Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 822.047 preempts cities from enacting breed-specific legislation. Instead, Fort Worth regulates individual dogs under its 'dangerous' and 'aggressive' dog provisions in Chapter 6.
Fort Worth Sec. 6-62 prohibits dangerous animals and TX HSC §822.102 Dangerous Wild Animals (lions, tigers, bears, primates, etc.). Exemptions for zoos, circuses, educational institutions, licensed labs, and wildlife rehabilitators. Miniature swine addressed separately.
Fort Worth requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. License and rabies vaccination required. TX HSC §822.013 covers dogs at large.
Hot tubs in Fort Worth require a building and electrical permit, must meet IRC Appendix G barrier rules if the water is over 24 inches deep, or a locking safety cover.
Fort Worth pools must have a continuous barrier around the pool with self-closing, self-latching gates that open outward. Lattice openings cannot exceed 1.75 inches and vertical pickets must be spaced no more than 1.75 to 4 inches apart depending on horizontal member spacing, per 2021 IRC Appendix Q as adopted in Chapter 7.
Above-ground pools in Fort Worth are treated as residential pools under Chapter 7 and 2021 IRC Appendix Q. A building permit is required when the pool exceeds 24 inches in water depth or contains 5,000+ gallons, and barrier and ladder-removal rules apply.
Fort Worth requires a barrier of at least 48 inches around any residential swimming pool, spa, or hot tub under Appendix Q of the adopted 2021 International Residential Code (Fort Worth Construction Code). Openings cannot allow a 4-inch sphere to pass; the gap below the barrier cannot exceed 2 inches; gates must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and self-latching. Multifamily and HOA-owned pools are additionally subject to Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 757.
Fort Worth requires a building permit before constructing any residential swimming pool, spa, or hot tub. Applications must be filed in person with Development Services, and pools must comply with Appendix Q of the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) as locally amended in Chapter 7.
Fort Worth does not impose a dedicated leaf blower ordinance. Gas and electric blowers are allowed, but operation must stay within citywide noise and construction-hour limits under Chapter 23 of the City Code.
Fort Worth Code Sec. 23-8 caps non-residential and commercial noise at 80 dBA during daytime hours (7 AM - 10 PM), measured at the source property line for at least 30 seconds. Industrial activity that exceeds these limits is a public nuisance.
Outdoor music in Fort Worth must stay within Chapter 23 decibel limits and end by 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday unless a special event permit is obtained.
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 23 sets numeric decibel limits at residential property lines, generally 65 dB(A) during the day and 58 dB(A) at night, measured from the receiving property.
Fort Worth City Code Sec. 23-8 restricts construction noise that disturbs neighboring properties, with heavy equipment such as pile drivers prohibited between 10 PM and 7 AM. Standard residential noise limits resume at 10 PM, effectively capping most construction at that hour.
Fort Worth Sec. 23-8 (Ord. 24752-03-2021) sets quiet hours 10 PM-7 AM. Residential: 70 dBA daytime, 60 dBA nighttime. Central Business/Trinity Uptown: extended to 2 AM (80 dBA). Where ambient exceeds limits, ambient +3 dBA applies. Measurement from complainant's property line.
Fort Worth Sec. 23-8 and Sec. 6-12 make it unlawful to keep dogs or roosters creating bark, cry, crow, or other sound on frequent, repetitive, or continuous basis for 10 minutes or longer. No decibel meter required. Up to $500 fine.
Fort Worth regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. TX Penal Code §42.01 applies.
Unincorporated Tarrant County is affected by DFW International, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Meacham Field, and Alliance Airport. Aircraft operations are federally preempted from local regulation.
Fort Worth Code Sec. 11A-8 prohibits weeds taller than 12 inches on any property and adjoining parkway. The city's Code Compliance Department abates violations by mowing and charging the owner $250 plus admin fees.
Fort Worth allows and encourages native xeriscape landscaping, and Texas Property Code Section 202.007 prevents HOAs from prohibiting drought-resistant plants and water-conserving turf.
Rainwater harvesting is encouraged in Fort Worth and specifically protected from HOA restriction by Texas Property Code Section 202.007, with no city permit required for typical residential systems.
Fort Worth allows artificial turf in residential front and backyards with no permit required, though HOAs may impose reasonable quality and appearance standards.
Fort Worth Code Sec. 11A-8 prohibits weeds and grass over 12 inches on any property or adjacent parkway. Code Compliance issues a notice; if the owner fails to mow, the city contracts the work at $250 plus administrative fees and places a lien on the property.
Fort Worth Water enforces a year-round twice-per-week watering schedule: odd addresses water Wednesday and Saturday, even addresses Thursday and Sunday. No sprinkler use is allowed between 10 AM and 6 PM. Violations are reported to 817-392-4477.
Fort Worth Zoning Sec. 6.302 (Urban Forestry), as amended in April 2025, requires permits to remove protected trees during development and preserves 50% of post oak and blackjack oak canopy. Criminal fines for unlawful removal are $2,000 per tree, with civil penalties up to $1,200 per diameter inch of canopy lost.
Routine trimming of trees on private property does not require a city permit under Fort Worth's urban forestry ordinance (Zoning Sec. 6.302) as long as the tree is not removed and protected post oak or blackjack oak species are not damaged. Trimming city street trees in the right-of-way requires coordination with the City Forester.
Texas Government Code Section 229.001 broadly preempts municipal firearms regulation, leaving Fort Worth with minimal authority. The city cannot regulate ownership, transfer, transportation, or storage of firearms or ammunition by ordinance.
Texas House Bill 1927 allows most adults 21 and older to carry handguns concealed without a permit. Fort Worth follows state rules; the License to Carry under Texas Government Code Chapter 411 remains available for reciprocity benefits.
Texas allows permitless open carry of handguns in shoulder or belt holsters for adults 21 and older. Fort Worth cannot restrict open carry beyond state law except on city property and posted private property.
Texas Penal Code Section 46.02 allows lawful adults to carry handguns in private vehicles or watercraft if not in plain view, gang-related, or possessed by a prohibited person. Fort Worth cannot impose additional vehicle restrictions.
Fort Worth has no comprehensive tenant anti-harassment ordinance. Tenants rely on Texas Property Code Section 92.331 retaliation rules and Section 92.0081 lockout protections, plus federal Fair Housing Act and Fort Worth's Human Relations ordinance for harassment based on protected characteristics.
Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS), the local public housing agency, administers the federal Housing Choice Voucher program. Voucher holders find private rentals; FWHS inspects units and pays a portion of rent directly to landlords. Fort Worth has no source-of-income protection requiring acceptance.
Texas has no statewide tenant relocation assistance statute, and Fort Worth has not adopted a relocation-payment ordinance. Tenants displaced by no-fault terminations or condemnation receive no city-mandated payment, though the federal Uniform Relocation Act may apply when federal funds are involved.
Texas Property Code Sections 92.101 through 92.110 set statewide security-deposit rules. Fort Worth landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out with an itemized list of deductions. The city has not adopted stricter local limits; state law preempts most local deposit regulation.
Texas allows Fort Worth landlords to end fixed-term leases at expiration and to terminate month-to-month tenancies with at least 30 days written notice for any lawful reason. Fort Worth has no just-cause requirement and no ordinance restricting end-of-lease nonrenewal.
Unlike Dallas and Austin, Fort Worth has not amended its Human Relations ordinance to prohibit housing discrimination based on lawful source of income. Landlords may legally refuse Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in Fort Worth, with no Texas state protection either.
Fort Worth has NO local just-cause eviction ordinance. Texas is a no-cause termination state under Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001 — a month-to-month tenancy may be ended by either party on 30 days' written notice without stating a reason. Fixed-term leases may be terminated for breach under Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 24.
Fort Worth has NO local rent control ordinance. Tex. Local Gov't Code § 214.902 preempts Texas municipalities from adopting rent control absent a declared disaster-related housing emergency and governor approval. The Fort Worth Code of Ordinances contains no rent stabilization chapter.
Fort Worth does not require a general rental property registration or licensing program. Unlike some Texas cities, Fort Worth does not mandate that landlords register residential rental properties with the city. Rental properties must comply with the Building Code and Housing Standards under Chapter 10. Code Compliance can inspect rental properties in response to complaints about substandard conditions. The city's Rental Property Crime Reduction Program works with landlords in high-crime areas on a voluntary basis.
Texas HB 4 (2023), the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, preempts city paid-leave mandates. Fort Worth never enacted a paid-leave ordinance, and any future attempt would be voided. No state mandate exists, so paid leave is left to employer policy and federal FMLA.
The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act (HB 4, 2023) bars cities from regulating employer scheduling practices. Fort Worth has no fair-workweek or predictive-scheduling ordinance, and any future attempt would be preempted under Texas law. Federal FLSA overtime is the only floor.
Texas Labor Code Chapter 62 reserves minimum-wage authority to the state and ties Texas to the federal $7.25 floor. Fort Worth cannot enact a higher city minimum, so federal Fair Labor Standards Act rules govern private employers operating in the city.
Texas SB 4 (2017), codified in Government Code Chapter 752, prohibits any Texas city from adopting sanctuary policies. Fort Worth is not a sanctuary city; police must honor ICE detainers and may inquire about immigration status during lawful stops, detentions, or arrests.
Texas Government Code Chapter 673 requires every state agency and any business that contracts with a state agency to register for and use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the work eligibility of new employees. Private-sector E-Verify use is generally voluntary statewide.
Fort Worth Public Health and Code Compliance inspect food establishments under City Code Chapter 16 and post numerical scores online. Unlike Los Angeles or New York, Fort Worth does not require posted letter grades at the restaurant entrance.
Fort Worth Code Compliance requires property owners to control rats, mice, and other vermin under City Code property maintenance provisions. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 343 supplies parallel state nuisance authority to abate rodent harborage on private land.
Fort Worth follows Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 728 and Tarrant County Public Health guidance for safe sharps disposal. Used syringes must go in approved sharps containers, never loose in household trash or recycling bins.
Texas Food Handler Education Act requires anyone who handles unpackaged food to complete an accredited food handler training course within sixty days of hire. Fort Worth restaurants must keep certificates on file for inspection by Consumer Health.
Fort Worth City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan in 2023, establishing community-wide emissions reduction targets and identifying actions across buildings, transportation, energy, water, and waste. The plan is a policy framework rather than a regulatory ordinance.
Fort Worth's Purchasing Division applies sustainable procurement criteria when evaluating city solicitations, weighing recycled content, energy efficiency, and lifecycle costs. The program supports the Climate Action Plan and applies only to city contracts, not private buyers.
The Fort Worth Urban Forestry Master Plan and the Climate Action Plan set tree-canopy growth targets to reduce urban heat island effects. Programs include public tree planting, canopy goals on city property, and incentives for private tree retention.
Fort Worth has not banned gas-powered leaf blowers, and Texas Health and Safety Code Section 382.0622 reserves small off-road engine emissions authority to TCEQ. Operators only have to comply with general Fort Worth noise rules, not fuel-type restrictions.
Fort Worth sits inside the Dallas-Fort Worth ozone nonattainment area, so TCEQ Rule 30 TAC 114.512 caps heavy-duty diesel idling at five consecutive minutes. The city has no separate municipal idling ordinance and defers enforcement to TCEQ.
Fort Worth's adopted International Energy Conservation Code, with local amendments, requires reflective roofing or compliant alternatives on most low-slope commercial roofs and sets reflectivity options for residential reroof projects. The provisions support Climate Action Plan heat-island goals.
Fort Worth Code Ch. 7, Article VIII (Floodplain Provisions) requires all new development in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area or city-designated Community Flood Risk Area (CFRA) to be elevated to a Design Flood Elevation equal to the 1% annual chance (100-year) flood level plus 2 feet of freeboard.
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 12½ (Stormwater Management) regulates discharges into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). The city holds an EPA/TCEQ MS4 permit and enforces illicit discharge detection and elimination. Sec. 12½-40 prohibits non-stormwater discharges to the storm sewer system. New development and redevelopment must comply with stormwater quality and detention requirements under the city's Stormwater Management Ordinance and the Storm Water Management Design Manual.
Fort Worth requires erosion and sediment control plans for all construction activities disturbing one acre or more, consistent with TCEQ Construction General Permit TXR150000. Chapter 12½ and the city's Stormwater Management Ordinance require best management practices (BMPs) for erosion control during construction. Construction sites must install silt fences, stabilized construction entrances, and inlet protection before land disturbance begins. The city conducts inspections and can issue stop-work orders for non-compliance.
Fort Worth regulates grading and drainage through the Development Code and the Storm Water Management Design Manual. A grading permit is required for earthwork exceeding specified thresholds. Drainage plans must demonstrate that post-development runoff does not exceed pre-development rates for the 25-year storm event. Fill placement must not redirect drainage onto adjacent properties. The Public Works Department reviews grading plans as part of the development permitting process.
Fort Worth regulates floodplain development under Chapter 35 of the Code of Ordinances and participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The city lies along the Trinity River, West Fork, Clear Fork, and Marine Creek with significant FEMA-mapped flood zones. Sec. 35-27 requires a floodplain development permit for any construction or substantial improvement in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Fort Worth enforces a 1-foot freeboard above the base flood elevation for new residential structures.
Fort Worth is an inland city located approximately 250 miles from the Gulf Coast and has no coastal development regulations. The Texas General Land Office and the Coastal Management Program apply only to counties and cities within the Texas coastal zone boundary. Fort Worth development is governed by inland regulations including floodplain management and the city's Zoning Ordinance rather than any coastal development standards.
Fort Worth's Mixed-Income Housing Program offers density bonuses, parking reductions, and fee offsets to developers who include affordable units in qualifying projects. Participation is voluntary and administered by the Neighborhood Services Department.
Fort Worth land use is governed by the Zoning Ordinance in Appendix A of the City Code, paired with the annually updated Comprehensive Plan. Form-based districts and overlay zones tailor standards in places like the Stockyards, Near Southside, and downtown.
Fort Worth Water Department limits irrigation to two days per week year-round and bans automatic sprinkler use between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April through October. Drought stages can tighten the schedule further to one day per week or full bans.
Fort Worth Water Department offers conservation rebates that can include turf reduction, irrigation upgrades, and rain barrels for residential customers. The voluntary program supports the Climate Action Plan and complements year-round watering rules.
Every Fort Worth retailer selling cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, or alternative nicotine products must hold an annual retailer permit from the Texas Comptroller under the Texas Tax Code and Health and Safety Code Chapter 161, with Fort Worth Code enforcing local compliance.
Pawnshops in Fort Worth are licensed by the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner under Texas Finance Code Chapter 371, which caps pawn finance charges, sets redemption periods, requires daily transaction reporting to police, and mandates holding periods that aid theft recovery.
Fort Worth regulates sexually oriented businesses (SOBs) under City Code Chapter 5 and the Unified Development Code, requiring annual licensing, criminal-history screening of operators, mandatory zoning buffers from sensitive uses, and detailed interior layout standards aimed at limiting secondary effects on neighborhoods.
Massage therapists and establishments operating in Fort Worth must hold Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) credentials under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 455, plus comply with Fort Worth City Code permitting, zoning, and inspections aimed at curbing illicit massage operations.
Secondhand dealers operating in Fort Worth must register with the Fort Worth Police Department, follow Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 reporting on metal and used goods, hold purchases for mandatory waiting periods, and report transactions through state-mandated electronic reporting systems for theft recovery.
Tow truck operators and companies serving Fort Worth must hold Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) credentials under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308, comply with Fort Worth City Code rules on nonconsent towing, follow posted-rate schedules, and use city-approved storage facilities.
Fort Worth's Tree Preservation regulations under the Unified Development Code (commonly cited as Title 17) protect heritage and historic trees including post oak, blackjack oak, bur oak, pecan, and bald cypress along the Trinity River corridor and in the Stockyards, with mitigation, replacement, and removal-permit rules.
Fort Worth regulates tree removal through the Urban Forestry Standards in the Zoning Ordinance (Article 6, Division 2). A tree removal permit is required for removing protected trees on developed lots. Protected trees include any tree with a trunk diameter of 6 inches or more measured at 4.5 feet above grade (DBH). The permit is obtained through Development Services. Removal of protected trees without a permit can result in fines and required replacement plantings. Emergency removal of hazardous trees may proceed without a permit with documentation.
Fort Worth's Urban Forestry Standards provide enhanced protection for heritage trees. Heritage trees are defined as healthy trees with a trunk diameter of 24 inches or more DBH (diameter at breast height). Heritage trees receive the highest level of protection and cannot be removed except in cases of imminent danger, disease, or when no reasonable development alternative exists. Mitigation requirements for heritage tree removal are significantly more stringent than for standard protected trees, including replacement at a higher caliper ratio.
Fort Worth requires replacement plantings when protected trees are removed during development. The Urban Forestry Standards specify replacement ratios based on the size and type of tree removed. Generally, replacement trees must total the caliper inches of the removed tree. Heritage trees (24+ inches DBH) require replacement at a higher ratio. Replacement trees must be from the city's approved species list and be a minimum caliper size. If on-site replanting is not feasible, developers may pay into the city's tree mitigation fund.
Fort Worth childcare centers must meet Texas Health and Human Services Commission licensing standards under 26 TAC Chapter 744 and pass local building, fire, and zoning approvals. Family home daycares face lighter zoning requirements but still need HHSC permits.
Fort Worth implements green-building policy primarily through adopted IECC energy code amendments and Climate Action Plan benchmarks rather than a free-standing mandatory green-building ordinance. City facilities pursue LEED certification, and incentives encourage private green construction.
Fort Worth's building code requires fire sprinklers in commercial occupancies based on IBC Chapter 9 thresholds. Single-family homes use the IRC R313 default which Texas allows local jurisdictions to opt out of, and Fort Worth has not generally mandated sprinklers in detached homes.
Federal EPA RRP Rule (40 CFR 745) requires certified renovators and lead-safe work practices for work disturbing more than 6 sq ft interior or 20 sq ft exterior paint in pre-1978 housing. TX DSHS administers lead abatement licensing. Fort Worth's Lead-Safe Program provides hazard reduction for qualifying homes. Sellers/landlords must disclose known lead paint per 42 USC 4852d.
Fort Worth Code Ch. 10 (Minimum Urban Rehabilitation Standards) requires property owners to maintain structures free from rodent and insect infestation. TX Property Code Sec. 92.052-92.056 requires landlords to address pest infestations affecting habitability after written tenant notice. TX Occupations Code Ch. 1951 requires commercial pest applicators to be licensed by TDLR.
Fort Worth adopts the 2021 IBC (Ord. 25382-03-2022) including Chapter 33 scaffolding provisions. Permits are required for scaffolds except single-tier nonadjustable suspended scaffolds under 40 sq ft or supported scaffolds meeting specific exemption criteria. Scaffolds over public right-of-way require additional encroachment permits from Transportation & Public Works.
Texas TDLR regulates all elevators, escalators, and related equipment statewide under TX Health & Safety Code Ch. 754. Annual inspections are mandatory. Building owners must obtain a Certificate of Compliance for each elevator and post it conspicuously. Inspections follow ASME A17.1 Safety Code. Fort Worth building code (Ord. 25382) adopts IBC Chapter 30 elevator provisions.
Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 251 protects farms operating one year or longer from nuisance suits based on changed surrounding conditions. The state shield applies in Fort Worth but mostly affects edge-of-city and Tarrant County agricultural parcels facing residential encroachment.
Texas Local Government Code Chapter 212 and Agriculture Code Chapter 251 limit municipal authority to zone or regulate land qualified for agricultural use appraisal. Counties have no general zoning authority, and cities face restrictions on annexing or imposing land use rules on established farms.
Public urination and defecation in Fort Worth are prosecuted as disorderly conduct under Texas Penal Code Section 42.01 and Fort Worth City Code public-decency provisions, with penalties scaling from Class C citations to higher charges if the act exposes anatomy intentionally.
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 23 prohibits loud and disorderly gatherings that disturb neighbors, and the city's noise and nuisance provisions allow Fort Worth Police Department to issue citations, disperse parties, and pursue cost recovery against repeat offenders for second-response calls.
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 11.5 (Smoke-Free Air ordinance) has restricted smoking and vaping in indoor public places and many outdoor areas since 2007, including bars, restaurants, parks, sports venues, and within 20 feet of building entrances at public facilities, with FWPD and Code Compliance enforcement.
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 23 prohibits aggressive solicitation that involves intimidation, blocking pathways, or harassing pedestrians and motorists, while passive panhandling remains protected speech under the First Amendment, with Texas Penal Code Section 22.06 covering related assault-by-threat conduct.
Pedestrian crossing rules in Fort Worth are governed by Texas Transportation Code Section 552.005, which requires pedestrians to yield to vehicles when crossing outside marked crosswalks and to use crosswalks where signals are present, with FWPD typically enforcing through warnings rather than aggressive citations.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 481 makes growing any marijuana plant a felony statewide. Fort Worth residents have no legal personal cultivation allowance. Even one plant can support a state jail felony charge regardless of intent or location.
Texas does not permit recreational cannabis dispensaries, so Fort Worth has no cannabis commercial zoning category. Hemp-derived CBD retailers operate under standard Fort Worth zoning rules subject to Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 122 product restrictions.
Cannabis cultivation is illegal in Texas. The Texas Controlled Substances Act (Health and Safety Code Chapter 481) classifies marijuana as a Schedule I substance. Growing any amount of cannabis at home is a felony offense. Fort Worth enforces state law through the Fort Worth Police Department. The Texas Compassionate Use Act allows only licensed dispensaries to cultivate low-THC cannabis (0.5% or less) for qualifying patients — home cultivation is not permitted even for medical purposes.
Texas does not permit recreational cannabis dispensaries. The Compassionate Use Program (CUP) allows a very limited number of licensed dispensing organizations to operate statewide, regulated by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Fort Worth's Zoning Ordinance does not include a use category for cannabis dispensaries. Any future CUP dispensary would need to comply with state licensing requirements and applicable local zoning for retail or pharmacy uses.
Texas House Bill 1771 and Health and Safety Code provisions preempt cities from banning the sale of flavored tobacco or e-cigarette products. Fort Worth cannot adopt menthol or flavored vape prohibitions enforced by other states or cities.
Texas Comptroller licenses tobacco and e-cigarette retailers statewide under Tax Code Chapters 154 and 155. Fort Worth Code Chapter 8 layers local oversight, with the FW Code Compliance Department conducting age-verification compliance checks.
Federal Tobacco 21 law and Texas Health and Safety Code Section 161.082 prohibit selling tobacco, e-cigarettes, or vape products to anyone under 21. Fort Worth enforces compliance through Code Compliance and undercover sting operations.
Texas Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961 preempts municipal regulation of foam food containers as solid waste. Fort Worth has no polystyrene ban and cannot lawfully prohibit expanded polystyrene cups, plates, or takeout containers.
Texas state law preempts local regulation of single-use food service items including plastic straws. Fort Worth has no straw ban or upon-request rule; restaurants distribute plastic straws freely without local penalties or fees.
Fort Worth has no plastic bag ban. Tex. Health & Safety Code § 361.0961 preempts local checkout-bag ordinances, as the Texas Supreme Court confirmed in City of Laredo v. Laredo Merchants Ass'n (2018). Fort Worth never enacted one and instead promotes voluntary recycling through the Crud Cruiser, Drop-Off Stations, and Knowing Your H2O programs.
Film production in Fort Worth must comply with the citywide noise ordinance (Sec. 23-8). The Film Commission specifically prohibits amplified music between 10:30 PM and 7 AM during productions. Outdoor sets remain subject to the 70 dBA daytime / 60 dBA nighttime residential limits.
The Fort Worth Film Commission issues no-cost film permits for productions in the city, with insurance requirements of $1,000,000 general liability per occurrence (and $1,000,000 auto liability if applicable). Filming at Sundance Square, the Stockyards, Billy Bob's, Panther Island, West 7th, DFW Airport, or any city park requires separate location-specific permits with at least 48 hours' processing.
Any film production that blocks streets, lanes, or sidewalks in Fort Worth must obtain a separate street-closure permit through the City of Fort Worth. Applications must include an alternate traffic plan and must be submitted at least three days before filming.
Fort Worth has no municipal ordinance limiting holiday lights on private residential property. Most restrictions come from HOA architectural guidelines under Texas Property Code Chapter 209. Holiday displays are exempt from Fort Worth's sign code. Lights creating a sustained nuisance can be cited under City Code Chapter 6.
Fort Worth has no municipal ordinance limiting lawn ornaments, statues, gnomes, flamingos, or yard art on private property. HOA architectural guidelines under Texas Property Code Chapter 209 are the primary source of restrictions. Texas Property Code 202.018 protects religious items on doors and frames.
Fort Worth has no municipal ordinance limiting inflatable holiday decorations on private property. Restrictions are imposed by HOA architectural rules under Texas Property Code Chapter 209. Inflatables in the right-of-way violate Fort Worth City Code Ch. 22 (Streets). Fan noise may trigger noise ordinance enforcement.
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Fort Worth require building, plumbing, electrical, and/or gas permits under City Code Chapter 7 (Building Code) when they include utilities or covered structures. Freestanding portable BBQ islands without permanent hookups generally don't need a permit. Setback rules from Zoning Ord. Section 5.300 apply.
Fort Worth treats outdoor smokers, pellet grills, and wood-fired cookers as open-flame cooking devices under the 2021 International Fire Code adopted in City Code Chapter 10. Multifamily balcony setbacks (10 ft) apply. Texas Clean Air Act Sec. 382 and Fort Worth's nuisance ordinance address persistent smoke complaints.
Fort Worth enforces the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) as adopted in City Code Chapter 10. IFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction at apartments, condos, and townhomes. Single-family homes are exempt. Propane storage is limited to 2 cylinders.
Fort Worth respects no-solicitation signs posted by residents. Under Chapter 18, solicitors must immediately leave a property when asked by the occupant and must honor posted no-solicitation signs. Continuing to solicit at a property with a no-solicitation sign or after being asked to leave constitutes a violation subject to citation. Residents can report aggressive or unlicensed solicitors to the Fort Worth Police non-emergency line. The city does not maintain a formal no-knock registry but posted signs are legally enforceable.
Fort Worth Code Chapter 32 requires commercial solicitors and peddlers to obtain a city permit, including fingerprints and a Fort Worth PD background check. Religious, political, and charitable canvassing is exempt. Solicitation is allowed only between 9 AM and sunset, and "No Soliciting" signs are enforceable.
Commercial drone operations in Fort Worth require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operators must comply with all Part 107 rules including flying below 400 feet, maintaining visual line of sight, and operating only during daylight or civil twilight with anti-collision lighting. Fort Worth does not require a separate municipal commercial drone permit. Operations near NAS JRB Fort Worth require LAANC authorization. Texas Government Code Chapter 423 restricts drone surveillance over private property and critical infrastructure.
Recreational drone use in Fort Worth is primarily governed by FAA regulations under 14 CFR Part 107 and the Exception for Recreational Flyers (49 USC 44809). Fort Worth does not have a standalone municipal drone ordinance but restricts drone operations in city parks and near city facilities. Recreational pilots must follow the FAA TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) requirement, fly below 400 feet AGL, maintain visual line of sight, and avoid flying over people and moving vehicles. Fort Worth is near restricted airspace including NAS JRB Fort Worth (Carswell Field).
Fort Worth's Zoning Ordinance limits the maximum lot coverage (building footprint as a percentage of total lot area) based on zoning district. Single-family residential districts typically allow 40-50% lot coverage depending on the specific district. Chapter 5 of the Zoning Ordinance specifies maximum lot coverage for each district. Impervious surface coverage is also a consideration for stormwater management compliance. Variances from lot coverage limits require Board of Adjustment approval.
Fort Worth's home construction setbacks are set by the underlying zoning district under §4.701 et seq. of the Zoning Ordinance and enforced through Fort Worth Building Law. In the most common one-family districts, front yards are typically 20 ft, side yards 5 ft, and rear yards 5 ft, with accessory buildings (including ADUs) following the same side and rear setbacks under §5.301. A building permit is required from Development Services for any new home, addition, or accessory structure.
Fort Worth's Zoning Ordinance limits building height based on zoning district. Single-family residential districts generally allow a maximum height of 35 feet or 2.5 stories. Multifamily and commercial districts allow taller structures depending on the specific district classification. The Zoning Ordinance Chapter 5 details height limits for each district. Airport overlay zones impose additional height restrictions near NAS JRB Fort Worth, Meacham International Airport, and Spinks Airport to protect flight paths.
Fort Worth regulates garage sales through Chapter 20 of the Code of Ordinances. A garage sale permit is not required but sales are limited in frequency and duration. Garage sales may not exceed three consecutive days and are limited to a reasonable number per year at a single address. Merchandise must be the personal property of the resident. Signs advertising garage sales must comply with Chapter 29 sign regulations and cannot be placed in the public right-of-way.
Fort Worth requires owners of vacant lots to maintain their property. Chapter 10 of the Code of Ordinances requires that vacant lots be kept free of high weeds (over 12 inches), accumulated trash, debris, and standing water. The city can mow or clean vacant lots after providing notice to the owner and place a lien on the property for the cost of abatement. Code Compliance conducts proactive sweeps of vacant lots in targeted neighborhoods through the Neighborhood Improvement Program.
Fort Worth aggressively enforces property maintenance standards through Code Compliance. Chapter 10 of the Code of Ordinances (Housing Standards) and Chapter 7½ (Building Standards) address substandard buildings and property blight. Properties with accumulated rubbish, junk vehicles, tall weeds, or deteriorated structures can be cited. The Building Standards Commission holds hearings on substandard properties and can order repairs, demolition, or impose liens. Fort Worth's Neighborhood Improvement Program targets blighted areas with concentrated enforcement.
Fort Worth Code Compliance enforces property maintenance standards including trash container storage and placement. Residential trash carts must be placed at the curb no earlier than 6 PM the day before collection and retrieved by midnight on collection day. Bins should not be visible from the street at other times and must be stored behind the front building line or screened from public view. The city provides standardized 96-gallon carts for automated collection.
Fort Worth does not have a mandatory snow or ice sidewalk clearing ordinance for residential property owners. North Texas receives occasional winter storms but does not experience regular snowfall. When winter weather events occur, the city's Transportation and Public Works Department focuses on clearing major roads and bridges. Property owners are encouraged but not required to clear sidewalks and driveways. The city does not assess fines for uncleared residential sidewalks after snow or ice events.
Fort Worth Code Chapter 29 regulates signs but must comply with Texas Election Code Sec. 259.002 which protects the right to display political signs. Property owners may display political signs on their property without a permit. Signs may be placed beginning 90 days before an election and must be removed 10 days after. Texas law prohibits HOAs from restricting political signs during the permitted period. Fort Worth's sign ordinance exempts political signs from most size and permit requirements on residential property.
Fort Worth Code Chapter 29 regulates temporary signs including garage sale signs. Garage sale signs are generally allowed on private property during the sale but signs placed on public right-of-way, utility poles, or traffic signs are prohibited. Signs in the right-of-way are subject to removal by Code Compliance without notice. Sec. 6.403 of the Zoning Ordinance lists signs not requiring a permit, which includes certain small temporary signs on residential property.
Fort Worth does not heavily regulate seasonal or holiday displays on residential property. Holiday decorations and displays are generally considered temporary and exempt from the sign permit requirements under Chapter 29 and Sec. 6.403 of the Zoning Ordinance. Displays must not obstruct public sidewalks or rights-of-way and should not create traffic hazards. HOAs in Texas may impose reasonable guidelines on holiday decorations but cannot impose outright bans under general reasonableness standards.
Fort Worth requires a building permit for residential and commercial solar panel installations. Solar panels must comply with the International Residential Code as adopted by the city and meet structural load and electrical code requirements. The permit process goes through Development Services. Texas Property Code Sec. 202.010 prohibits HOAs from banning solar energy devices on single-family residences, providing strong state-level protection for solar installations.
Texas Property Code Sec. 202.010 strongly protects homeowners' rights to install solar energy devices. HOAs in Fort Worth cannot prohibit or effectively restrict solar panels on single-family residences. An HOA may require advance notice and impose reasonable placement guidelines that do not increase cost by more than 10% or decrease efficiency by more than 10%. The law applies to all property owners' associations governed by the Texas Property Code.
Fort Worth's Zoning Ordinance addresses light trespass through general standards requiring outdoor lighting to be directed away from adjacent residential properties. Commercial and industrial lighting must be shielded and aimed downward to prevent spillover onto neighboring lots. Residents can file complaints about excessive light intrusion from neighboring commercial properties through Code Compliance. The city evaluates light trespass complaints on a case-by-case basis using general nuisance standards.
Fort Worth does not have a comprehensive dark-sky ordinance. The city's Zoning Ordinance includes general provisions for outdoor lighting in commercial and industrial districts requiring shielding to reduce glare on adjacent residential properties. Fort Worth follows the International Dark-Sky Association guidelines for city-owned lighting where feasible but has not adopted a formal dark-sky ordinance. The city's LED streetlight conversion program uses shielded fixtures that reduce light pollution compared to older technology.
Fort Worth Environmental Services provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection. Residents receive a 96-gallon trash cart and a 96-gallon recycling cart. Collection occurs on a set day each week based on your address. Carts must be placed at the curb with lids closed and handles facing your home by 7 AM on collection day. Excess trash that does not fit in the cart can be placed in bags beside the cart. The city does not collect hazardous waste curbside.
Fort Worth provides single-stream recycling collection in the blue 96-gallon cart. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers (#1-#7), aluminum and steel cans, and glass bottles and jars. Items must be clean, dry, and loose (not bagged). Contamination with food waste or non-recyclable items causes loads to be sent to landfill. Fort Worth does not mandate recycling participation but provides the service at no additional cost as part of the utility bill.
Fort Worth requires trash and recycling carts to be placed at the curb for automated collection with specific placement rules. Carts must be at least 3 feet apart and 3 feet from mailboxes, utility poles, and parked vehicles. Lids must be closed and handles must face the house. Carts should be placed on the curb edge or within 5 feet of the street. After collection, carts must be retrieved and stored out of public view by midnight on collection day.
Fort Worth provides scheduled bulk trash collection for large items that do not fit in the standard cart. Bulk collection is available on a scheduled basis — residents can schedule a pickup through the city's 311 system or the myFW app. Accepted items include furniture, appliances (with Freon removed), mattresses, and large household items. Construction debris, tires, and hazardous materials are not accepted for bulk pickup. The city also operates the Environmental Collection Center for drop-off disposal.
Fort Worth requires mobile food vendors to obtain a Mobile Food Unit permit from the Fort Worth/Tarrant County Health Department. Operators must also have a valid Texas sales tax permit and meet all Tarrant County food safety requirements including passing a health inspection. Chapter 18 of the Fort Worth Code of Ordinances regulates peddlers and vendors. Food trucks must operate from approved locations and comply with the city's zoning requirements for mobile vending. Annual permit renewal and routine inspections are required.
Fort Worth designates specific areas where food trucks may operate, particularly in commercial and mixed-use zoning districts. Food trucks are generally prohibited from operating in residential zones. The Zoning Ordinance and Chapter 18 set location requirements including minimum distances from brick-and-mortar restaurants and requirements for property owner permission. Fort Worth has embraced food truck culture in areas like the Near Southside, Magnolia Avenue, and downtown entertainment districts where food truck parks have been established.
Fort Worth parks are closed to the public from 12 AM (midnight) to 5 AM unless otherwise posted. The Parks and Recreation Department may set different hours for specific facilities. Overnight camping is not permitted in city parks except in designated areas with a permit. Violations of park curfew can result in citations under the city's park rules. Trinity River trails and greenways follow the same midnight-to-5-AM closure unless posted otherwise.
Fort Worth enforces a juvenile curfew under Chapter 24 of the Code of Ordinances. Minors under 17 may not be in a public place during curfew hours: 11 PM to 6 AM Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 6 AM Friday and Saturday nights. There is also a daytime curfew during school hours. Exceptions include minors accompanied by a parent, traveling to or from work, attending an official school or religious activity, or responding to an emergency. Parents can be cited for knowingly allowing a minor to violate curfew.
Fort Worth does not require a specific permit to hold a garage sale at a residential property. Residents may hold garage sales without applying for or obtaining a city permit. However, garage sales are subject to general rules regarding duration, frequency, and signage. The sale must be conducted on the resident's own property and merchandise must be personal household goods. Operating a continuous or commercial-scale sale may be considered an unlicensed business requiring a permit under Chapter 18.
Fort Worth limits the frequency of garage sales to prevent residential properties from operating as commercial retail operations. While the city does not specify an exact number of sales per year in a single ordinance section, frequent or continuous sales at the same address trigger enforcement as an unlicensed commercial activity. Generally, two to four garage sales per year is considered reasonable. Code Compliance may investigate properties with frequent sales based on neighbor complaints.
Fort Worth garage sales are subject to general time restrictions. Sales should be conducted during reasonable daytime hours consistent with residential neighborhood standards. Individual sales are limited to three consecutive days in duration. Sales typically operate from around 7 AM to sunset. Noise from garage sales must comply with the city's general noise ordinance provisions. Setting up before dawn or continuing sales late into the evening may result in Code Compliance action based on neighbor complaints.
Fort Worth Code Sec. 16-172 through 16-186 regulate pushcart operations. Downtown pushcarts require specific slot permits, must operate minimum 2 hours/day on 8+ days/month (March-October), and must maintain a 25-foot trash-free radius. Transient food vendors limited to 60 consecutive minutes per location. Pushcarts must meet health and safety design standards.
Fort Worth Code Sec. 16-186 requires a slot permit and food establishment permit to vend from a pushcart in the downtown area. Mobile vendors need a Vendor Certificate of Occupancy under Sec. 5.406. Food vendors handling potentially hazardous foods must report daily to a designated commissary. Permit updated by Ord. 27523-03-2025 (effective April 2025).
Fort Worth restricts mobile vending to zoning-approved locations under Sec. 5.406. Vendors must not operate within 50 feet of residential uses. No vending on public streets, sidewalks, or rights-of-way. Vacant lot vending prohibited except fresh market vendors in non-residential districts with a valid certificate. Downtown pushcarts assigned to specific slot locations.
Fort Worth requires a Sidewalk Cafe Permit from Development Services for outdoor dining on public sidewalks. The permit ensures a minimum 5-foot pedestrian clearway is maintained. Annual renewal required. Must hold a valid food establishment permit under Chapter 16. Furniture and barriers must meet city specifications and not obstruct ADA access.
Fort Worth Outdoor Events Ordinance No. 1925-08-2010 requires neighborhood events to obtain a permit from the Office of Outdoor Events. At least 50% plus one of affected street residents must sign a petition. Petition filed 15-60 days before event. Events with 500+ attendance are treated as Special Events with additional fees. Barricades must be staffed by adults 18+.
Fort Worth Parks & Recreation requires permits for events in city parks. Sec. 20-405 requires permits for outdoor gatherings on public property with 500+ attendees, street closures, food/beverage sales, or use of tents, stages, fireworks, or portable toilets. Applications required 60-210 days in advance depending on size and location.
TX Property Code Sec. 209.006 requires HOAs to send certified mail notice before enforcement actions including fines, suspension of common area rights, or lawsuits. Notice must describe the violation, state amounts due, provide a cure period for curable violations, and inform the owner of their right to a Sec. 209.007 hearing.
TX Property Code Sec. 209.0051 requires HOA board meetings to be open to all members. Regular meetings need 144-hour (6-day) notice; special meetings need 72-hour (3-day) notice. Board elections must occur at open meetings with prior notice. Secret ballots required for contested races. Minutes must be kept for all meetings.
Texas Property Code Chapter 209 governs Fort Worth HOA architectural review, requiring written standards, notice of denial, and a hearing right before enforcement.
TX Property Code Sec. 209.0062-209.0064 require HOAs to offer payment plans of at least 3 months for delinquent assessments. Before foreclosure, the HOA must send certified mail notice with amount owed, 30-day cure period, and right to a hearing. HOAs cannot foreclose on liens consisting solely of fines or attorney fees.
TX Property Code Sec. 209.007 entitles HOA members to a hearing before the board to resolve disputes. The board must hold hearings within 30 days of a written request and provide 10 days' notice. Either party may request one postponement of up to 10 days. Sec. 209.00593 allows owners to use alternative dispute resolution including mediation.
Fort Worth's most common code violations include high grass/weeds over 12 inches, junk vehicles, illegal dumping, substandard structures, and improper trash storage. Fort Worth Code of Ordinances Chapter 11 and Chapter 23 govern most property maintenance standards.
Fort Worth Code Compliance accepts reports online, by phone at 817-392-1234, or via the MyFW app. Online reporting is available 24/7 through the city website. Reports can be filed anonymously.
Fort Worth Code Compliance prioritizes cases by severity. Emergency life-safety issues receive same-day response. Standard complaints such as high grass or junk vehicles are typically inspected within 3-5 business days. Complex structural cases may take longer.
Fort Worth requires building permits for most renovation work that alters structural elements, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems. Cosmetic work like painting and flooring generally does not require permits. Permits are obtained through Development Services.
Fort Worth requires a building permit for all sheds regardless of size per the Development Services Department. Sheds must comply with Zoning Ordinance Section 5.301 setback requirements for accessory structures and cannot exceed the height of the primary structure.
Fort Worth exempts fences 6 feet and under from building permits. Fences over 6 feet require a permit from Development Services. All fences must comply with the Zoning Ordinance for height, setback, and visibility triangle requirements.
Fort Worth requires a building permit for decks over 6 inches above grade. Concrete patios at grade level generally do not require permits. Covered patios and attached decks always require permits with plans showing structural details.
Fort Worth allows front yard vegetable gardens. Texas HB 1643 (2023) prohibits HOAs from banning vegetable gardens, and city code does not restrict edible plants in residential front yards. Gardens must be maintained and not create a nuisance.
Fort Worth follows the Texas Department of Agriculture's noxious weed list under Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 71. Prohibited species include giant salvinia, water hyacinth, and several thistle species. The city also discourages invasive species like Chinese tallow and ligustrum.
Fort Worth does not have a specific ordinance banning or restricting bamboo planting. However, bamboo that spreads onto neighboring properties or public rights-of-way may trigger nuisance complaints under Chapter 11 property maintenance codes.
Fort Worth has no specific ordinance regulating residential security cameras. Texas law permits recording video on your own property and in public areas. Cameras must not record areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy (TX Penal Code §21.15).
Texas is a one-party consent state for audio recording (TX Penal Code §16.02). Video recording in public is legal. Recording private conversations without consent of at least one party is a felony. Doorbell cameras and dashcams are legal.
Fort Worth allows privacy fences up to 8 feet in residential rear and side yards. Front yard fences are limited to 4 feet. Solid privacy fences over 6 feet require a building permit. Fences must not obstruct sight visibility triangles at intersections.
Unincorporated Tarrant County has no bar or nightclub noise ordinance. TABC license conditions and state disorderly conduct law are the only sound-related controls in rural areas.
Tarrant County has no generator noise ordinance. Standby and portable generators may run without time limits. TX Penal Code 42.01 is the only backstop for extreme persistent noise.
Tarrant County does not regulate HVAC condenser or chiller noise in unincorporated areas. The International Mechanical Code governs installation but noise output is not addressed.
Most unincorporated Tarrant County roads have no public sidewalks. Where sidewalks exist, repair responsibility typically falls to the adjacent property owner or the HOA under Texas common law.
Texas Transportation Code Section 552.006 prohibits obstructing sidewalks in unincorporated Tarrant County. Common violations include trash bins, vehicles, basketball goals, and overgrown vegetation.