Do I need a permit for a fence in Austin, TX?

No building permit for most fences 7 ft or lower outside a floodplain. A permit is required over 7 ft, in a floodplain, or over 6 ft along City right-of-way.

What changes the answer

• Over 7 ft at any point: permit required
• In a floodplain: permit required
• Over 6 ft along City of Austin public right-of-way (not an alley): permit + letter of authorization

Note: Austin's Types of Permits page still describes the fence permit as 'over 8 feet high'; the exemption list and Fencing Regulations page say 7 ft. We use 7 ft (stricter); confirm locally.

Cost

$146.15 small-project plan review (FY 2026-27 schedule, effective Oct 1, 2026), when a permit is required. Permit/inspection fees may be added.

Fee source: https://austin.widen.net/s/fz9rhwg8qq/fees_residential

Where to apply

City of Austin Development Services (see Types of Permits for the right web form / AB+C Portal)

Permitting authority: City of Austin Development Services Department. Applies inside City of Austin jurisdiction. Flood hazard areas and the Wildland-Urban Interface change several exemptions.

Official sources

“A fence requires a permit if it: Is located in a floodplain. ... Is more than 7 feet high at any point. Is more than 6 feet high for residential property along the City of Austin public right-of-way (ROW), other than a public alley.”

Source: https://www.austintexas.gov/development-services/fencing-regulations

“Unless located within a flood hazard area, a fence that is not over 7 feet (2,133.6 mm) high.”

Source: https://www.austintexas.gov/development-services/work-exempt-building-permits

Verified: 2026-10-19 · Status: verified · Confidence: high