1. Your HOA, if you have one
If your home is in an HOA, read the deed restrictions or architectural guidelines before you pick a fence. HOAs often set:
- Allowed fence heights, sometimes different for front, side and back.
- Materials and styles, like cedar board-on-board or wrought iron only.
- Stain colors, or whether wood may be stained at all.
- Which side of the fence faces out.
- How far the fence must sit back from the front of the house.
Most HOAs want you to submit a request and get approval before work starts. That can take a while, so start early. They may ask for a drawing on your survey, the material and height, and photos. We help customers put that package together all the time.
2. Your city's rules and permits
Some cities require a permit for a new fence and some don't. Requirements differ from one city to the next, and can change, so call your city's building or permits office, or check its website. Things cities commonly regulate:
- Maximum fence height, often with a lower limit in front yards.
- Visibility at corners and driveways, so drivers can see around the fence.
- Pool fences and gates, which usually have their own safety rules.
- Fences in drainage areas or floodplains.
If you live outside city limits, county rules may be lighter, but an HOA or deed restriction can still apply. When a job needs a permit, we pull it and work it into the schedule.
3. Know where your property line is
The fence should go on your property. Don't go by where the old fence was, since old fences are often off. The best source is your survey, usually in your closing papers. It shows the lot lines and often the corner pins, which are metal rods set in the ground at the corners.
If you can't find your survey or the pins, or the line is in question, a licensed surveyor can mark it. Many people set the new fence a few inches inside the line to be safe. If you share a fence line with a neighbor, talk to them before the work starts. It goes a long way.
4. Easements
Your survey or plat may show easements, often for utilities or drainage along the back or side of the lot. You can usually fence across a utility easement, but the utility may have the right to access it, and if they need to dig, the fence may have to come down. Drainage easements may limit what you can build so water still flows. Your city or HOA can tell you what's allowed.
5. Call Texas 811 before you dig
This one isn't optional. Before anyone digs a post hole in Texas, a locate request has to go in to Texas 811 so underground utility lines get marked. It's free. You can call 811 or file a request online, and you need to give them a couple of working days before digging. Gas, electric, water, cable and fiber lines can be shallower than you'd think, and hitting one is dangerous and expensive.
When we build your fence, we place the 811 ticket ourselves and wait for the marks before we dig. Keep in mind 811 marks the utility companies' lines. Private lines on your side of the meter, like a line to a shop, a sprinkler system or a septic system, usually aren't marked, so tell us where those run.
6. The neighbors and the good side
Even when nothing requires it, it's common courtesy to let neighbors know before a fence goes up. If your HOA doesn't say which side faces out, think about it before you decide. A board-on-board fence looks finished on both sides, which settles it. Our fence styles guide explains the difference.
What we handle
When you hire us, we place the 811 locate, pull any permit the job needs, and help with HOA paperwork. You'll want to have your survey handy and know your HOA's rules. We build across Ellis County, Navarro County and South DFW, including Waxahachie, Midlothian, Red Oak and Mansfield. See all our service areas.
Common questions
Do I need to call 811 before installing a fence in Texas?
Yes. A locate request must go to Texas 811 before digging so underground utility lines get marked. It is free, and you need to give a couple of working days before you dig. When we build a fence, we place the ticket ourselves.
Do I need a permit to build a fence?
It depends on your city. Some cities require a fence permit and some do not, and height limits, corner visibility and pool fence rules vary. Check with your city building or permits office.
How do I find my property line before building a fence?
Check the survey in your closing papers, which shows lot lines and corner pins. If you cannot find it or the line is in question, hire a licensed surveyor to mark it.