City of Houston fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Houston? Not confirmed. Contact the City of Houston 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 Houston (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Not confirmed source
- Fee
- $33.56 admin fee plus plan review fees (only when a permit is required) source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
Still being confirmed with Houston: Do Houston's own rules set any fence height limit for single-family lots outside deed restrictions?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Houston
Steps based on houstonpermittingcenter.org — hpwcode1145
- Check whether your fence needs a permit (over 8 ft, or masonry/concrete).
- If so, log in or create an iPermits account at hpceservices.org and complete the building permit application.
- Pay the plan review fee(s).
- Upload the site plan, fence design drawing, application and Declaration in Support of Application after the email invitation.
- Call 811 before digging.
- Paying
- Admin fee $33.56 plus plan review fees
- Review time
- About 10 days
- Inspections
- Plan review and inspection required
- Permit good for
- 6 months
Who to contact
- Phone
- 832-394-9000
Contact from houstonpermittingcenter.org — hpwcode1145
What to submit
- Building permit application
- Site plan
- Fence design drawing
- Declaration in Support of Application
Other rules to know
- Per the Houston Permitting Center, a fence permit is required only for any fence over 8 ft above grade, or any fence made completely or partially of masonry or concrete (any height). The page does not set height limits for other fences; check deed restrictions.
- Processing about 10 days; permit valid 6 months; plan review and inspection required.
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 Houston, TX?
Not confirmed. Contact the City of Houston before you build; the rules below are what we found in the ordinance.
How much is a fence permit in the City of Houston?
$33.56 admin fee plus plan review fees (only when a permit is required).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Houston?
Check whether your fence needs a permit (over 8 ft, or masonry/concrete). If so, log in or create an iPermits account at hpceservices.org and complete the building permit application. Pay the plan review fee(s). Upload the site plan, fence design drawing, application and Declaration in Support of Application after the email invitation. Call 811 before digging. buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Houston (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Houston?
Houston Permitting Center / Public Works Structural Inspections. Phone 832-394-9000.
Sources
Summarized from the City of Houston's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the City of Houston? 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.