Do You Need a Fence Permit in Austin?
Usually no
A fence up to 7 feet high is exempt from a building permit unless it is in a flood hazard area. A permit is required above 7 feet, and residential fences over 6 feet along a public right-of-way also need a letter of authorization.
Source: Austin DSD: Fencing Regulations
Austin Fence Permits at a Glance
- Permits, last 12 months
- 87
- Issued, last 30 days
- 7
- Median application to issue
- 94 days
- Median declared job value
- $31,750
- Issuing office
- City of Austin Development Services Department
- Rule last checked
- October 30, 2026
Permits Issued per Month
Counts are approximate: we match permit types and descriptions to fence work. Data from Austin Issued Construction Permits, refreshed October 30, 2026.
What Austin's Rules Say
- Exempt: fences up to 7 ft outside a flood hazard area.
- Permit: any fence in a floodplain or over 7 ft.
- Over 6 ft along a public right-of-way needs a City letter of authorization.
Austin Fence Permit Fees
We have not verified Austin's fee for this work from an official fee schedule yet, so we don't quote one. The City of Austin Development Services Department sets the fee when you apply.
Busiest Areas for Fence Permits
| ZIP code | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| 78704 | 11 |
| 78731 | 7 |
| 78745 | 7 |
| 78721 | 6 |
| 78744 | 6 |
| 78754 | 6 |
How to Get a Fence Permit in Austin
- Confirm the rule for your exact job on the official page cited above. Size, height, structure and location (historic district, floodplain) can change the answer.
- Choose who applies. Many permits here must be pulled by a licensed contractor; ask any contractor to name the license they will use.
- Apply with the City of Austin Development Services Department through the official department website.
- Schedule inspections as the permit requires, and keep the final approval with your house records.
Recent Austin Fence Permits
| Issued | Address | Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-28 | 1915 W 36Th St | Move the main electrical service located at the rear of the house 5 feet away from the back fence to remove the existing |
| 2026-10-21 | 6508 Highpoint Cv | New 8ft fence along North property line (street side-loyola ln) |
| 2026-10-21 | 1212 Westheimer Dr | new motorized sliding vehicular gate and steel fence at existing multifamily site with underground electric for gate ope |
| 2026-10-20 | 2600 Clear Cv | Construction of new 8 fence on the property line the fence will be cedar along the side property lines but non-combustib |
| 2026-10-15 | 1121 Mark St | Replace existing fence with new 6 fence approx 240 linear feet. Replace gate with double gate |
| 2026-10-12 | 1212 E 7Th St | New vehicular gate and fence for an existing multifamily. |
| 2026-10-08 | 1212 E 7Th St | New vehicular gate and fence for an existing multifamily. |
| 2026-09-30 | 1221 S Congress Ave Bldg 1 Unit 140 | New fence to enclose existing tenant exterior patio. Scope was shown in 2021-030999 PR but never completed in the field. |
| 2026-09-29 | 3801 N Lamar Blvd | ePlan: Commercial Expedited Review - [APPROVED] Addition and Remodel to Existing Exterior Hospital Services. Work to inc |
| 2026-09-25 | 3519 Starline Dr | Replace existing 6 ft privacy fence in floodplain like for like |
Addresses and work descriptions as published by the city. Owner names and phone numbers are removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a fence permit in Austin?
Usually no. A fence up to 7 feet high is exempt from a building permit unless it is in a flood hazard area. A permit is required above 7 feet, and residential fences over 6 feet along a public right-of-way also need a letter of authorization.
How many fence permits does Austin issue?
Austin issued 87 permits matching fence work between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026, about 7 a month. The busiest month was Mar 2026 with 17.
How much does a fence permit cost in Austin?
We have not yet verified Austin's fee for this work from an official fee schedule, so we do not quote one. The fee is set by the City of Austin Development Services Department when you apply.
How long does it take to get a fence permit in Austin?
Based on the city's records, the median time from application to issue for these permits was 94 days over the last 12 months.
Who issues fence permits in Austin?
The City of Austin Development Services Department.
Related Permit Guides
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- Austin Solar Panel Permits
- Nashville Fence Permits
- Orlando Fence Permits
- Fence Permits by City
- Fence Permit Height Limits Compared Across 11 Cities
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- Austin DSD: Fencing Regulations (linked above) (austintexas.gov)
- Austin DSD: Work Exempt from Building Permits (austintexas.gov)