Before You Build in Garland, TX: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Garland requires a building permit for any retaining wall over 4 feet (measured from bottom of footing to top), or any wall with a surcharge load, with engineered design stamped by a licensed Texas engineer.

Garland limits residential fences to 4 feet in front yards and 8 feet in side and rear yards under the Unified Development Code, with corner-lot visibility triangle restrictions for traffic safety.

Garland fences are typically the responsibility of the property owner who installed them; shared fences along property lines often involve cost-sharing under Texas common law, with the finished side facing neighbors.

Garland requires a 48-inch pool fence around any pool deeper than 18 inches, with self-closing/self-latching outward-opening gates, max 2-inch ground clearance, and openings small enough to block a 4-inch sphere (Texas Health & Safety Code Ch. 757 + adopted IRC). House-wall barriers need door alarms or a powered cover.

Garland requires a fence permit for new fences, replacements over 50% of length, and any masonry or retaining wall fence; standard wood and chain link replacements may be exempt — verify with Permits & Inspections.

Pool barriers in Garland must be at least 48 inches tall, fully enclose the pool, and meet IRC Appendix V plus Texas state pool yard enclosure standards.

Garland requires a building permit and plan review for all in-ground and most above-ground pools, with separate electrical and plumbing permits issued by Building Inspection.

Above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches in Garland require permits, barriers or removable ladders, and must meet setback rules from property lines and structures.

Garland enforces Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 plus IRC pool barrier standards, requiring self-closing gates, alarms on doors, and anti-entrapment drain covers.

Hot tubs and spas in Garland require building and electrical permits, must meet barrier rules unless equipped with a locking safety cover, and need GFCI protection.

Garland allows garage conversions to living space with permits but requires replacement covered parking and full compliance with residential building, energy, and egress codes.

Garland allows accessory dwellings under GDC Section 2.51 in residential zones. Must have main building on lot. Minimum 3-foot side/rear setbacks. Front yard must match main building setback. No accessory building used as dwelling except per §2.51.

Garland allows attached and detached carports with a building permit, requiring specific setbacks, materials, and limits on front-yard placement to maintain residential appearance.

Garland regulates tiny homes by foundation type and size, allowing site-built tiny homes on permanent foundations in residential zones but restricting tiny homes on wheels.

Garland regulates accessory structures under GDC Chapter 2. Rear yard setbacks of 3 feet minimum for side and rear. Must have main building on lot. Building permits may be required by size.

Garland restricts outdoor burning within city limits per TCEQ rules. DFW ozone nonattainment area applies. Dallas County burn bans during drought. Gas fire pits generally exempt from burn bans.

Gas and propane fire pits generally allowed in Garland. Wood-burning subject to Dallas County burn bans. Standard safety clearances from structures apply. DFW ozone nonattainment area affects wood-burning recommendations.

Garland enforces year-round twice-weekly outdoor watering limits with no irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. April through October, drawing water from Lake Tawakoni via the Garland water utility.

Garland requires property owners to trim trees overhanging streets and sidewalks to maintain 14-foot street and 8-foot sidewalk clearance; right-of-way pruning by the city or a permitted contractor is required for parkway trees.

Garland regulates tree removal on commercial and multi-family sites and in development through its tree preservation ordinance, while removal from established single-family lots is generally not permitted-restricted.