Fence Permit in Austin, Texas
By Mario Bailey Last verified 2026-06-17 · 2 official sources
Quick answer
Austin exempts most residential fences from a permit if they are 7 feet or under at any point and are not in a floodplain. Fences over 7 feet at any point require a permit from Austin Development Services. Fences over 6 feet along a public right-of-way also require a permit. Applications are submitted through the Residential Fence Permit Application web form linked from the Austin DSD fencing regulations page.
Permit required?
Sometimes, depending on the project.
Typical threshold: fences over 7 ft high at any point require a permit; fences over 6 ft along public ROW require a permit; fences in a floodplain at any height require a permit.
When a permit is usually needed
Before building a fence that exceeds the applicable height limit
Permit cost and what affects it
Fees are set by the locality and are not published here. See the official fee schedule or contact the office for current amounts.
Permit costs generally depend on the project valuation, the scope of work, and the inspections required. Ask the office how the fee is calculated for your specific project.
Where to apply
Austin Development Services Department
- 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, TX 78752
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a fence permit in Austin?
- Austin exempts most residential fences from a permit if they are 7 feet or under at any point and are not in a floodplain. Fences over 7 feet at any point require a permit from Austin Development Services. Fences over 6 feet along a public right-of-way also require a permit. Applications are submitted through the Residential Fence Permit Application web form linked from the Austin DSD fencing regulations page. The typical threshold is fences over 7 ft high at any point require a permit; fences over 6 ft along public ROW require a permit; fences in a floodplain at any height require a permit. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a fence permit cost in Austin?
- Fees are set by Austin and are not published here. Contact the office for current amounts.
- How long does a fence permit take in Austin?
- Processing time for a fence permit in Austin varies by workload and project scope. Contact the Austin Development Services Department for a current estimate.
- Where do you apply for a fence permit in Austin?
- You can apply through the Austin permit portal or contact the Austin Development Services Department directly. The links are listed on this page.
Official sources
Last verified: 2026-06-17 Report an error on this page