City of Dallas fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Dallas? Not confirmed. Contact the City of Dallas before you build; the rules below are what we found in the ordinance.
buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Dallas (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Not confirmed source
- Side and rear yards
- 9 ft max source
- Front (street) yard
- 4 ft (single-family and duplex front yards) source
- Not allowed
- Sheet metal, corrugated metal, fiberglass panels, plywood and certain plastics; barbed wire and razor ribbon restricted. Fences must allow firefighting access to side and rear yards. source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
Still being confirmed with Dallas: Is a permit needed for a standard 6 ft rear fence in a plain single-family district with no overlay, and what is the fence permit fee?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Dallas
Steps based on dallascityhall.com — 7. Applying for a Residential Accessory Structure Permit
- Sign in to DallasNow and choose Create an Application, then Residential Accessory Structure Permit (DallasNow treats fences and retaining walls as accessory structures).
- Enter the work location, describe the work and list materials.
- Add the applicant and property owner as contacts.
- Upload the site plan, utility permission (if in an easement) and signed checklist.
- Review, certify and pay the Technology Fee at Check Out.
- Call 811 before digging.
- Paying
- Technology Permit Fee $15 per document at Check Out (fence permit fee amount not found)
Who to contact
Planning and Development
Building Inspection
- Phone
- 214-948-4480
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Contact from dallascityhall.com — 7. Applying for a Residential Accessory Structure Permit
What to submit
- Completed permit application (DallasNow Residential Accessory Structure Permit)
- Two copies of a site plan at standard scale showing fence/wall, gates, easements, fire lanes, driveways, sidewalks, alleys, curbs
- Written permission from the utility if the fence is in an easement
- Elevation drawing if requested
- Signed Fence and Swimming Pool Barrier Permit Checklist
Other rules to know
- A permit is needed for a fence over 4 ft in a front yard or over 6 ft elsewhere, and for any swimming pool barrier; historic, conservation and planned development districts have extra requirements (Conservation District needs a CD Work Permit).
- Fences over 9 ft need a building permit, a sealed engineer drawing and Board of Adjustment approval if in a setback.
- Fences in a designated flood plain are reviewed by Engineering - Flood Plain.
- If information is missing you have five working days to respond or the application may be discarded.
- Technology Permit Fee is $15 per document submitted; no fence-specific fee amount was found.
Before you dig
Call 811 before digging post holes so underground utility lines are marked. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. County parcel maps can be off by several feet; if you're not sure where the line is, a licensed land surveyor can stake it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in the City of Dallas, TX?
Not confirmed. Contact the City of Dallas before you build; the rules below are what we found in the ordinance. A permit is needed for a fence over 4 ft in a front yard or over 6 ft elsewhere, and for any swimming pool barrier; historic, conservation and planned development districts have extra requirements (Conservation District needs a CD Work Permit).
How tall can a fence be in the City of Dallas?
Side and rear yards: 9 ft max. Front (street) yard: 4 ft (single-family and duplex front yards).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Dallas?
Sign in to DallasNow and choose Create an Application, then Residential Accessory Structure Permit (DallasNow treats fences and retaining walls as accessory structures). Enter the work location, describe the work and list materials. Add the applicant and property owner as contacts. Upload the site plan, utility permission (if in an easement) and signed checklist. Review, certify and pay the Technology Fee at Check Out. buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Dallas (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Dallas?
Planning and Development, Building Inspection. Phone 214-948-4480, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Dallas's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Dallas Development Code (fence provisions)
Work for the City of Dallas? Help us keep this right
If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Municipal staff reports are reviewed first. Please include a link to the current ordinance, form or fee schedule if you can.