Before you build a fence in DFW, two sets of rules have to line up: your city's fence code and your HOA's requirements. As a general rule, most DFW cities allow backyard fences around six to eight feet and limit front-yard fences to roughly three to four feet, and many HOAs add stricter rules on top. Getting this wrong can mean a correction notice or tearing down a brand-new fence, so check first. Here is what to look at.
City rules (vary by suburb)
Every city is a little different, but the common themes:
- Backyard height is usually capped around six feet, with some cities allowing up to eight with approval.
- Front-yard height is much lower, often three to four feet, and sometimes only certain styles are allowed.
- Corner lots have sight-line rules so fences do not block traffic visibility.
- Permits. Some cities require a fence permit; many do not for standard heights. Check your specific city before building.
Always confirm the current code with your city. The numbers above are a starting point, not a guarantee.
HOA rules (often stricter than the city)
If you are in an HOA, its rules usually matter more than the city's, and they can be very specific:
- Approved materials and styles (for example, cedar board-on-board only).
- Which side faces out. Many HOAs require the finished side to face the street or neighbor.
- Stain color or a no-stain rule.
- Written approval (an ACC request) before work starts. Building first and asking later is how people end up redoing a fence.
Carrollton, Plano, and Frisco have many master-planned communities with detailed standards, so do not assume.
The shared-fence conversation
If the fence is on a property line, it is worth talking to your neighbor before you build. Many DFW neighbors split the cost of a shared fence. Even when they do not, a quick conversation avoids disputes over the line and which side faces where.
How we handle it
We build to your city's code and can provide a written scope for HOA approval when your community needs one. For the full set of decisions, see the complete guide to fencing in DFW.
