Yes — almost every city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex requires a permit for fence installation. The good news: fence permits are usually fast, cheap, and straightforward. The bad news: skipping the permit can result in fines, forced removal, or problems when you sell your home.
Here's what you need to know for every major DFW city.
The Short Answer
Every major DFW city requires a fence permit. Costs range from $25 to $75, and processing takes 1–5 business days. Most cities handle fence permits through their Building Inspection or Development Services department.
General Texas Fence Rules
Before we get city-specific, here's what's consistent across most of DFW:
- Front yard: Maximum 4 feet tall
- Back/side yard: Maximum 6–9 feet (varies by city, 8 feet is most common)
- Corner lots: Must maintain sight visibility triangles at intersections
- Property line: Fences must be on or inside your property line
- Pool fencing: Must be at least 4 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates (Texas law)
- Easements: Cannot build on utility easements (check your plat)
DFW City-by-City Permit Guide
Dallas
- Permit cost: $50–$75
- Where to apply: Dallas Building Inspection Division
- Processing time: 3–5 business days
- Max height: 4 ft front / 9 ft back
- Notes: Dallas allows up to 9 feet in rear yards, which is more generous than most DFW cities. Corner lots have strict visibility triangle requirements.
Fort Worth
- Permit cost: $25–$50
- Where to apply: Fort Worth Development Services
- Processing time: 2–3 business days
- Max height: 4 ft front / 8 ft back
- Notes: Fort Worth's process is straightforward. The city is generally less restrictive than Collin County suburbs.
Plano
- Permit cost: $50
- Where to apply: Plano Building Inspections
- Processing time: 2–3 business days
- Max height: 4 ft front / 8 ft back
- Notes: Plano's city code is just the starting point — most neighborhoods have HOAs with stricter requirements. Get HOA approval FIRST, then apply for the city permit.
Irving
- Permit cost: $35–$50
- Where to apply: Irving Inspections Division
- Processing time: 2–3 business days
- Max height: 4 ft front / 8 ft back
- Notes: Las Colinas area may have additional community association requirements beyond city code.
Garland
- Permit cost: $40
- Where to apply: Garland Building Inspections
- Processing time: 1–2 business days
- Max height: 4 ft front / 8 ft back
- Notes: One of the faster permit processes in DFW. Straightforward requirements.
Flower Mound
- Permit cost: $50
- Where to apply: Flower Mound Inspections Department
- Processing time: 2–5 business days
- Max height: 4 ft front (open materials only in many areas) / 8 ft back
- Notes: Flower Mound has some of the strictest fence ordinances in DFW. Front yard fences often must be see-through materials only (wrought iron, aluminum). HOA requirements add another layer.
Denton
- Permit cost: $30–$45
- Where to apply: Denton Development Services
- Processing time: 1–3 business days
- Max height: 4 ft front / 8 ft back
- Notes: Historic district areas may have additional requirements on fence style and materials.
Allen
- Permit cost: $50
- Where to apply: Allen Building Inspections
- Processing time: 2–3 business days
- Max height: 4 ft front / 8 ft back
- Notes: Allen HOAs are particularly active. Most require architectural review committee approval before any fence work.
What Happens If You Build Without a Permit?
Don't risk it. Here's what can happen:
- Stop-work order — The city can force you to halt construction mid-project
- Fines — Typically $100–$500 per violation per day
- Forced removal — If the fence doesn't meet code, you may need to tear it down
- Title issues — Unpermitted structures can create problems when selling your home
- Insurance gaps — Your homeowner's insurance may not cover damage to unpermitted structures
The $25–$75 permit fee is a tiny fraction of your total fence cost. Always get the permit.
Tips for a Smooth Permit Process
- Know your property lines. Get a survey if you're not 100% sure. This is the #1 cause of fence disputes.
- Check for easements. Look at your property plat for utility easements. You can't build on them.
- Get HOA approval first. If you have an HOA, get their written approval before applying for a city permit.
- Have your contractor pull the permit. Most professional fence companies handle the permit process for you. If they don't, that's a red flag.
- Schedule the inspection. Most cities require a post-installation inspection. Your contractor should handle this.
Find Licensed Fence Contractors
Need a contractor who handles permits and builds to code? Browse verified professionals in your city: