San Antonio allows privacy fences up to 6 feet in rear and side yards without a permit. Fences up to 8 feet may be permitted in certain circumstances. Front yard fences are generally limited to 4 feet in residential areas. The Unified Development Code (UDC) Division 8 governs fence regulations.
San Antonio's fence regulations are governed by the Unified Development Code (UDC) Division 8 (Accessory Uses and Special Exceptions) and the Development Services Department. Standard privacy fences (solid wood, vinyl, or composite) up to 6 feet in height in rear and side yards do not require a building permit. Fences may be permitted up to 8 feet in certain circumstances, such as along major roadways or commercial-adjacent properties. In residential front yards, fences are generally limited to 4 feet in height and must maintain visibility for traffic safety. Masonry fences and walls over 4 feet require a building permit. Corner lots have additional visibility triangle requirements. Fence materials must be uniform on the exterior-facing side. Barbed wire is restricted to agricultural and commercial/industrial zones. Pool fences must meet specific safety requirements per city pool ordinances. The DSD provides a Fences FAQ document with specific requirements by district.
Non-compliant fences may result in Code Enforcement citations through 311. Fines for code violations can reach $500 per day. The city may order removal or modification of non-compliant fences.
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