City of Abilene fence rules
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Abilene? No. The City of Abilene does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
At buildit.dog you can draw your fence on an aerial photo of your lot and check it against the City of Abilene's rules before you build. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- No (typical residential fence) source
- Side and rear yards
- 7 ft max source
- Front (street) yard
- Front property line: 4 ft max for non-opaque fences and hedges, 2 1/2 ft max for opaque fences, walls and hedges; up to 7 ft at the front building line source
- Distance from lot line
- At least 10 ft from the curb or edge of pavement on all streets; fences must be on private property, outside the public right-of-way. source
- How to apply
- Call 325-676-6237 source
How to build within the rules in the City of Abilene
Steps based on abilenetx.gov — FAQ
- Check your fence against the height and street-setback limits in the City's Fences, Walls, and Hedges in Residential Areas handout.
- No building permit is needed for a fence 7 ft or less; call Planning and Development Services (325-676-6237) with placement or height questions.
- Call 811 before digging.
Who to contact
Planning and Development Services
- Phone
- 325-676-6237
- Address
- Development Service Center, City Hall, 555 Walnut Street, Abilene, TX 79601
Contact from abilenetx.gov — Fence Wall and Hedges PDF
Other rules to know
- The City FAQ says building permits are not required for fences 7 feet or less in height.
- Fences in poor repair fall under Chapter 19 (Nuisances); fence condition complaints go to Code Compliance, (325) 676-6241.
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 Abilene, TX?
No. The City of Abilene does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Abilene?
Side and rear yards: 7 ft max. Front (street) yard: Front property line: 4 ft max for non-opaque fences and hedges, 2 1/2 ft max for opaque fences, walls and hedges; up to 7 ft at the front building line.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Abilene?
At least 10 ft from the curb or edge of pavement on all streets; fences must be on private property, outside the public right-of-way.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Abilene?
Planning and Development Services. Phone 325-676-6237.
Sources
Summarized from the City of Abilene's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the City of Abilene? 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.