Depending on the city that you live in, some information in this article might vary. Please reach out to your city’s Planning and Development Department to ensure you are following the correct procedures to obtain Residential Fence Permits. The following information will give you an idea of what your city might require.
If you reside within the city of Arlington, TX, and plan on replacing 50% or more of an existing fence, or having a new fence installed, a Fence Permit from the Community Development and Planning Department must be obtained before work can begin. There are certain guidelines that must be followed for the city to approve residential fence permits. A and A Fence & Concrete will complete and submit the permit for you, freeing up your time and removing unnecessary stress!
Common City Guidelines for Residential Fence Permits
Arlington, TX is similar to many other cities in the DFW. However, there will be differences in the rules listed below.
Height of Your Residential Fence & Approved Materials
Most cities have specific heights. A and A Fence & Concrete can only build to the specified height from the city. In Arlington, the height of the fence must not exceed eight feet as measured from the highest adjacent grade within ten feet. A and A only uses the following materials to build fences for our customers:
- Masonry (brick, stone, reinforced cement concrete) or any other sustainable material with more than a 30-year life expectancy
- Ornamental Metal Rail Fencing
- Cedar Pickets
- Other wooden picket fences, only if constructed with metal posts, metal brackets, and metal caps.
- Chemically pre-treated wooden horizontal members must be at least 2”X 4” in size.
Prohibited Materials
- The following materials are prohibited for residential privacy fences.
- Chain link (except as described below);
- Sheet, roll, or corrugated metal; and,
- Cast off, secondhand, or other items not originally intended to be used for constructing or maintaining a fence.
Chain Link Reconstruction Materials
An existing chain link fence may be replaced with a new chain link fence or be replaced with an approved material. New chain link fences to replace another material or where fences have not existed are not permitted.
Location of Residential Fences
Privacy fences may be located along the property line with the following exceptions:
- In the interest of public safety and considering the visibility triangles, no fence may be taller than two feet when located on the side property lines of a corner lot or a reverse corner lot.
- Any fence that is more than two feet high shall be set back at least five feet from the side property line of a corner lot. In the case of a reverse corner lot, any fence that is more than two feet high shall be set back at least 7.5 feet from the side property line.
Orientation of Residential Fences
Any fence that is located on a lot adjacent to a public street must face the side with exposed posts or rails away from view from the adjacent public street. The posts or rails of a fence on the interior lot lines may face either direction.
Front Yard Residential Fences
Fences are allowed in the front yard of single-family residences.
However, the following items must be followed:
- The fence must not be taller than 4 feet.
- The fence must be constructed of ornamental metal railing and be at least 75% transparent.
- The fence may have masonry columns. Wood pickets or solid fences are not permitted.
General Fence Maintenance
All fences must be perpetually maintained, repaired, or replaced by the owner of the fence.
For fences where less than 50% of one length of fence along a property line requires repair or replacement with new fencing materials, the repair or replacement:
- Shall not change the scope, location or dimension of the fence
- Shall be made using the same material as originally used to construct the fence, or material with comparable composition, color, size, shape, and quality as the remaining fencing material.
The use of materials not specifically manufactured for the construction of fences is prohibited. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Plywood
- Corrugated steel panels
- Fiberglass panels
We want to make the process of building your new fence as easy and painless as possible. Your A&A Sales Representative will gather all necessary information to complete the application and submit it to the city. If you have other questions about new fence project or repairing your fence, contact us and we will give you a free estimate. Our Service Area covers: Arlington, Grand Prairie, Ft. Worth, Mansfield, Dalworthington Gardens, Keller, Hurst, Bedford, Pantego, Euless, Haltom City, Grapevine, Saginaw, Burleson, Aledo, and everything in between.
