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Fence and Retaining Wall Permit in Fort Worth, Texas

Fences in the front yard and projected front yard can be no more than 4 feet tall and must be open design picket-style; chain link is prohibited in the front yard and projected front yard. A building permit is required for solid fences with a height above 7 feet and for open fences with a height above 8 feet. Retaining walls greater than 4 feet tall (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) also require a permit. Fences may require additional approval if the property is in a historic district.

Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Permit only required above height thresholds: solid fences over 7 ft, open picket-style fences over 8 ft, or retaining walls over 4 ft
  • Front-yard/projected-front-yard fences limited to 4 ft, open picket-style; chain link prohibited there regardless of height
  • Additional historic-district approval may apply

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

    Fee schedule

    Filing fee
    Not published — contact the department

    Review timeline

    Plan review
    Not published — contact the department

    How long did your Fence and Retaining Wall Permit permit actually take in Fort Worth?

    Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

    Inspection process

      See the full Fort Worth inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

      Tips

      • Most residential fences (at or below 7 ft solid / 8 ft open) do not require a permit at all

      Frequently asked questions

      Fort Worth requires a fence and retaining wall permit for: Permit only required above height thresholds: solid fences over 7 ft, open picket-style fences over 8 ft, or retaining walls over 4 ft; Front-yard/projected-front-yard fences limited to 4 ft, open picket-style; chain link prohibited there regardless of height; Additional historic-district approval may apply. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Fort Worth Development Services Department at 817-392-2222 before starting work.

      Fort Worth does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Fort Worth Development Services Department at 817-392-2222 for current turnaround.

      Apply through City of Fort Worth Development Services Department at New City Hall, 100 Fort Worth Trail, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Phone: 817-392-2222. Official information: https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/development-services.

      Fort Worth, Texas has adopted: 2021 International Building Code (ICC) - effective April 1, 2022, Ordinance No. 25382-03-2022; 2021 International Residential Code (ICC) - effective April 1, 2022, Ordinance No. 25383-03-2022; 2021 International Mechanical Code (ICC) - effective April 1, 2022, Ordinance No. 25384-03-2022; 2021 International Plumbing Code and 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (ICC) - effective April 1, 2022, Ordinance No. 25385-03-2022; 2021 International Existing Building Code (ICC) - effective April 1, 2022, Ordinance No. 25386-03-2022; 2021 International Fire Code (ICC) - effective April 1, 2022, Ordinance No. 25388-03-2022; Fort Worth Administrative Building Code (2021 edition) - Ordinance No. 25387-03-2022; 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (ICC) - retained; NOT updated to the 2021 edition; 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ICC) - effective September 1, 2020; 2023 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) - effective March 1, 2023 (a 2026 NEC is proposed, targeted effective September 1, 2026, per the city's Building & Energy Codes page). Local amendments apply — see the Fort Worth overview page for the full list.

      Sources & verification

      Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-06.

      Department & other records

      Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Fort Worth building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

      Fort Worth's permit history isn't searchable here yet

      This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Fort Worth yet is the record of permits actually issued — the history you'd search by street address. That is a gap in our coverage, not a statement about any particular property.

      Your email, and the place — never an address. We only use it to tell you when Fort Worth lands. Privacy.

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      Fence and Retaining Wall Permit in other cities

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