Before You Build in North Richland Hills, TX: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Pools in North Richland Hills must have barriers at least 48 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates. Texas Health and Safety Code 757 backs up the local adoption of the IRC pool barrier rules.

North Richland Hills allows fences up to 8 feet in rear and side yards, and 4 feet in front yards. Corner lot sight triangles must stay below 3 feet for traffic safety.

North Richland Hills does not require neighbor consent for a boundary fence, but the finished side must face outward. Shared fence repair costs are governed by Texas Property Code, not city ordinance.

Retaining walls over 4 feet in height (measured bottom of footing to top) require a permit and engineered plans in North Richland Hills, per the adopted International Building Code.

Fence permits are required in North Richland Hills for any new fence over 7 feet, replacement of more than 50 percent of an existing fence, or any fence in a corridor overlay.

North Richland Hills requires a swimming pool permit for any in-ground or above-ground pool deeper than 24 inches, plus separate electrical, plumbing, and fence permits. Plans must include structural, drainage, electrical bonding, and barrier details, and multiple inspections occur during construction.

North Richland Hills requires a 48-inch pool barrier around all pools deeper than 24 inches, with self-closing and self-latching gates that swing outward. Chain-link, wood, and masonry are acceptable, and house walls may form part of the barrier only with alarmed doors opening to the pool.

North Richland Hills pools must comply with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, including VGB-compliant drain covers and anti-entrapment devices. Pool alarms, emergency signage for public pools, and compliant lighting apply, and residential pools serving childcare need additional protections.

Above-ground pools in North Richland Hills deeper than 24 inches require a building permit and must meet the same barrier rules as in-ground pools. The pool wall itself may serve as part of the barrier if at least 48 inches tall, with removable or secured ladders when not in use.

Hot tubs and spas in North Richland Hills that exceed 24 inches of water depth require a permit and compliant barrier unless equipped with a lockable safety cover meeting ASTM F1346. Electrical connection to a dedicated 240V GFCI circuit is required, and placement must meet setback rules.

North Richland Hills generally does not permit separate accessory dwelling units with independent kitchens or rental status in most single-family zoning districts. Second dwellings require a specific use permit or PD zoning, and the city treats unpermitted backyard apartments as duplexes requiring rezoning.

North Richland Hills requires a building permit and zoning review for converting a garage into living space, and most R districts require the homeowner to replace the lost enclosed parking. Conversions that create a separate dwelling unit are treated as ADUs and typically prohibited without specific use permit approval.

North Richland Hills requires building permits for sheds over 200 square feet. Sheds must sit behind the front building line, meet a 3-foot side and rear setback, stay under 12 feet at the ridge, and not exceed 40% of rear yard area. Masonry matching may apply in certain PD districts.

North Richland Hills permits carports in residential districts only behind the front building line of the house. Front-yard carports are generally prohibited, materials must match the dwelling, and a building permit is required for any permanent carport attached to the home or larger than 200 square feet.

North Richland Hills does not allow tiny homes on wheels as primary dwellings in residential zoning districts. Park-model RVs are treated as recreational vehicles and cannot be occupied outside a licensed RV park. Permanent site-built tiny houses must meet minimum floor area and residential code for the district.

Residential fire pits are allowed in North Richland Hills if under 3 feet wide, 25 feet from structures, and attended. Open burning of yard waste is banned under TCEQ 30 TAC 111.209.

Open burning of trash, leaves, and yard waste is banned in North Richland Hills under TCEQ 30 TAC 111.209. Only small recreational fires in approved containers are allowed, subject to burn bans.

Property owners in North Richland Hills must keep tree branches at least 8 feet above sidewalks and 14 feet above streets. Overhanging limbs blocking traffic or signals must be trimmed promptly.

North Richland Hills requires a tree removal permit for any protected tree 6 inches DBH or larger in residential zones, and 8 inches DBH in other zones, under Chapter 114 of the code.

North Richland Hills follows a year-round twice-weekly watering schedule based on address. Stage restrictions through Trinity River Authority tighten limits during drought to once weekly or less.