Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences (2026)

Top 25: Tallest Allowed

Based on residential fence height limits in each city's zoning code. Rankings consider both front and rear yard maximums, with higher rear yard limits ranked as more permissive.

1. 1

   Baytown, TXFew RestrictionsNone: no zoning ordinance

   Baytown does not have traditional zoning and does not impose citywide fence height limits through a zoning ordinance. Property owners have broad discretion in fence height. However, fences must not obstruct traffic visibility at intersections or block drainage. Building permits may be required for masonry walls above certain heights. HOA CC&Rs in many subdivisions impose their own height restrictions.

2. 2

   Bexar County, TXFew Restrictions8 ft per UDC §35-514 conditions

   Bexar County does not regulate fence heights in unincorporated areas. The county confirms there are no zoning regulations outside city limits. Texas counties lack general police power to zone (Local Gov Code Ch. 233). San Antonio's Unified Development Code §35-514 sets 6 ft side/rear and 3 ft front-yard sight-triangle limits inside city limits.

3. 3

   Boone County, MOFew RestrictionsNone set generally

   The Boone County Zoning Ordinance (last revised Jan 21, 2025) does not set numeric fence height limits in unincorporated areas. Section 10.B(10) requires fences over 2 feet stay outside corner-lot vision triangles (20 feet from intersecting street rights-of-way). Section 13 governs animal enclosures in residentially developed areas of 3 acres or less.

4. 4

   Conroe, TXFew Restrictions

   Conroe has no zoning code, so fence height limits are governed by building codes and deed restrictions rather than citywide zoning. Standard practice allows up to 6 feet in rear/side yards. Permits are required for all fencing.

5. 5

   Dallas County, TXFew Restrictions

   No county fence height restrictions. Texas counties cannot zone or regulate fence heights. No permit required for residential fences. HOA/deed restrictions are the primary constraint on fence height in unincorporated subdivisions.

6. 6

   Denton County, TXFew RestrictionsNone

   Unincorporated Denton County has no fence height ordinance. Property owners may build fences of any height on their own land without county approval. HOA deed restrictions in subdivisions typically limit fences to 6 feet in rear yards and 4 feet in front yards.

7. 7

   Fort Bend County, TXFew Restrictions

   Fort Bend County does not regulate fence heights in unincorporated areas. The county has not adopted zoning ordinances and does not issue Certificates of Occupancy. Cities (Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond) set their own fence height limits by municipal code.

8. 8

   Harris County, TXFew RestrictionsNone

   Harris County has no fence height ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack zoning authority to regulate fence heights. Deed restrictions, HOA covenants, and utility easement requirements are the primary controls.

9. 9

   Hidalgo County, TXFew RestrictionsNone (no county zoning)

   Texas counties have no general zoning authority, so Hidalgo County sets no fence-height limit in unincorporated areas. There is no county-wide maximum fence height. If your property lies inside a city (McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Mission, etc.), that city's zoning code controls; recorded plats or deed restrictions may also cap height.

10. 10

    Katy, TXFew Restrictions

    Katy's Code of Ordinances and Zoning Ordinance (Exhibit 14A) do not set a numeric maximum fence height for residential lots and require no building permit for fence construction. Corner lots must preserve sightlines at intersections, and almost every Katy subdivision is governed by HOA deed restrictions that typically cap fences at 6 to 8 feet. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 211 authorizes Katy's zoning controls.

11. 11

    Marion County, FLFew RestrictionsNone specified in LDC for residential fences

    Marion County's Land Development Code does not set a numeric maximum fence height for residential property in unincorporated areas; fences are exempt from setbacks under Section 4.1.4, and the county Building Safety Department generally requires a building permit only when a fence exceeds 6 feet in height, is masonry/concrete (wall-like), or encloses a pool.

12. 12

    Mcallen, TXFew Restrictions4 feet maximum

    McAllen limits residential fences to 6 feet in rear and side yards, 4 feet in front. Properties near the US-Mexico border in southern McAllen may have additional security fencing considerations. Corner lot visibility triangles enforced.

13. 13

    Midland, TXFew Restrictions4 feet typical

    Midland limits residential fences: typically 6 feet in rear/side, 4 feet in front yard. Corner lots have visibility requirements.

14. 14

    Mission, TXFew RestrictionsTypically 4 feet maximum

    Fence height limits in Mission are governed by Appendix A – Zoning. No statewide height preemption applies. Typical residential standards in South Texas: 6 ft rear/side, 4 ft front yard.

15. 15

    Nashville, TNFew Restrictions8 feet behind principal structure

    Nashville allows privacy fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards and up to 8 feet on the side or rear of the principal structure. No building permit is currently required for fences. Front yard solid fences have specific setback and height restrictions.

16. 16

    Norfolk County, MAFew Restrictions4 ft max (varies by town)

    Norfolk County has no county-level fence height limits. Fence height is regulated by each municipality through local zoning bylaws.

17. 17

    Okaloosa County, FLFew RestrictionsEight feet

    In unincorporated Okaloosa County, fences may reach eight feet in any zoning district and can sit on the property line. On Okaloosa Island, fences within the street-front setback are capped at 42 inches, and nothing may block the intersection sight line.

18. 18

    Olmsted County, MNFew RestrictionsGenerally up to 6 ft

    Olmsted County regulates fences in unincorporated areas through its Chapter 1400 Zoning Ordinance, administered by the Olmsted County Planning Department for the cooperatively-planned townships of Eyota, Marion, Oronoco, and Quincy. Privacy fences in residential districts are generally limited to 6 feet, with corner-lot sight-distance rules restricting front-yard fence height to preserve traffic visibility. Fences may sit on the property line if both sides can be maintained, but not within road or utility easements. Olmsted County is comprised of 18 townships and eight cities that may administer their own zoning. For permits and questions, contact the Olmsted County Planning Department at 507-328-7100.

19. 19

    Paulding County, GAFew RestrictionsNone countywide

    Paulding County's zoning code sets no general residential fence-height limit. UDO Section 240-160 regulates only corner sight-triangles: nothing over three feet within 15 feet of a street intersection. Building permits apply above seven feet.

20. 20

    Plymouth County, MAFew RestrictionsNone; towns set limits

    Plymouth County has no fence-height ordinance; Massachusetts counties cannot zone. Height limits sit in each town's zoning bylaw, and MGL c.49 §21 makes any fence over six feet built maliciously to annoy a neighbor a private nuisance.

21. 21

    Santa Rosa, CAFew Restrictions36 inches max

    Santa Rosa Zoning Code Section 20-30.060 caps residential fences at 36 inches within the front-yard or exterior-side setback, and 6 feet within an interior-side or rear-yard setback. A 6-foot fence with 2 feet of lattice (8 feet total) is allowed by right outside the front/street-side setback, but any fence over 7 feet requires a Building Permit.

22. 22

    St. Louis County, MOFew Restrictions

    Fences 6 feet in height or less may be installed in unincorporated St. Louis County without a building permit, so a standard privacy fence goes up without county permitting. Anything taller needs a permit. Two limits apply no matter the height: barbed wire and electrical fencing are not permitted in residential areas, and a fence on a corner lot cannot sit inside the sight distance triangle.

23. 23

    Tarrant County, TXFew Restrictions

    Tarrant County does not regulate residential fence heights in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general zoning and police power (Local Gov Code Ch. 233 covers building lines, fire code, and substantial improvements but not fence height). Cities, Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, North Richland Hills, are the primary fence regulators inside their limits.

24. 24

    Travis County, TXFew Restrictions

    Travis County imposes no fence height limits in unincorporated areas because TX counties cannot zone. Height is governed only by deed restrictions, HOA covenants, or Austin ETJ rules where applicable. Most subdivisions allow 6 ft rear, 4 ft front.

25. 25

    Allen, TXLight Restrictions30 inches

    Allen enforces a 25-foot sight visibility triangle at all corner lots and a smaller triangle at driveway approaches. Fences, hedges, and landscaping within the triangle cannot exceed 30 inches in height.

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