← Fort Worth permit guide
Fence Permit Requirements in Fort Worth, TX
Based on City of Fort Worth published sources. Confirm with Development Services before you build.
Do you need a permit?
Often no for typical backyard fences. Fort Worth's building code exempts fences up to 7 feet tall (and open wire fences without slats up to 8 feet). Taller fences need a permit — and zoning height and placement rules apply either way.
What to know
- Front-yard and projected front-yard fences are limited by the zoning ordinance (generally 4 feet and an open design) — check §5.305 for your district.
- Retaining walls over 4 feet tall require a building permit.
- Properties in historic districts may need separate design approval before a fence goes up.
- Do not build within drainage or utility easements without checking with the city.
Typical documents
- Site plan showing fence location, height and material (if a permit is required)
- Engineering for retaining walls over 4 feet
Who can apply & how
- Permits must be pulled by a registered building contractor, or by the owner under a homestead permit (the home must be owned and occupied as your primary residence, shown by an appraisal district homestead exemption).
- All residential permits can be applied for online through the city's Permit Assist tool, which feeds into the Accela permit portal.
- Fort Worth adopted the 2021 ICC codes (effective April 1, 2022), with local amendments.
Practical tips
- Call 811 before digging post holes.
- HOAs frequently have stricter fence rules than the city.
Contact & sources
City of Fort Worth Development Services · 100 Fort Worth Trail, Fort Worth, TX 76102 · (817) 392-2222
- Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance §5.305 – Fences →
- City of Fort Worth – Residential Building Permits brochure (PDF) →
- City of Fort Worth – Residential Permitting →
Only applies inside Fort Worth city limits. Neighboring cities and unincorporated Tarrant County have their own rules.
