What's Required in San Antonio
- A Residential Fence permit is required for a new fence or for replacing more than 25% of an existing one.
- The application needs a site plan showing existing structures, easements and each fence section's height and material.
- Front-yard fences are limited to 3 feet solid or 5 feet open or combined on single-family lots.
- Side and rear fences are limited to 6 feet unless a UDC 35-514(c)(2) exception allows 8 feet.
- Fences over 6 feet require DSD to contact abutting owners, and no fence may exceed 12 feet.
- Corner lots must keep fences to 3 feet within 25 feet of the curb for clear vision.
- Barbed wire, razor wire, sheet or corrugated metal and particle board are prohibited materials.
- Fences in historic districts, flood zones or Neighborhood Conservation Districts get an added review before issuance.
Do you need a permit to build a fence in San Antonio?
Yes for any new fence. Unified Development Code Section 35-514(a) says no fence may be constructed, repaired or expanded in the city without a building permit, except work exempted by City Code Section 10-6(e). That exemption is narrow: minor repairs to fences not over 6 feet high, where replacing up to 25 percent of the overall contiguous length counts as a minor repair. Replace more than 25% of an existing fence, or put up a new one, and you need the Residential Fence permit from the Development Services Department (DSD).
How much is a fence permit in San Antonio?
A flat $28.75 under DSD's FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule (revised September 2026), whatever the length or material. Two 4% surcharges bring it to $31.05 when you apply online; if staff process a paper application at the One Stop, the $11.50 convenience fee makes it $42.55. Paying by card adds 3%. There is no fence inspection. DSD's fence FAQ still shows an older $26.50 online price, so expect the current schedule figure at checkout. Building first and permitting later costs double.
How tall can a fence be in San Antonio?
UDC Section 35-514(c) sets the heights for single-family lots:
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fixing or replacing 25% or less of an existing fence | None | Minor repair, fences not over 6 ft (10-6(e)(1)b) |
| New fence, or replacing more than 25% | Residential Fence permit, $28.75 | IB 223; FY 2027 schedule |
| Solid front-yard fence | Permit; 3 ft maximum | UDC 35-514(c) table |
| Open or combined front-yard fence (wrought iron, chain link) | Permit; 5 ft maximum, solid part 3 ft | UDC 35-514(b)(4), (c) |
| Side or rear fence | Permit; 6 ft maximum | UDC 35-514(c) table |
| Side or rear fence up to 8 ft | Permit; only if a (c)(2) exception applies | Pool in rear yard, alley or arterial, slope, abutting non-residential use |
| Corner lot within 25 ft of the curb, or 15 ft driveway triangle | Permit; 3 ft maximum | Clear vision, UDC 35-514(a)(2) |
The 8 ft exceptions in 35-514(c)(2) cover, among others, a side or rear lot line along an alley or a street other than a local street, a lot line abutting a multi-family, commercial, industrial or park use, a yard that contains a pool or abuts one with a pool, and sloped yards where the top is kept level. City Code Chapter 6, Section 6-2 adds that no fence over 6 feet may be built unless DSD has contacted the abutting owners and none object, and no fence may exceed 12 feet. On a residential lot of at least 20,000 square feet with 100 feet of street frontage, a predominantly open front fence may reach 6 feet by right.
What else does the city check?
Fences must be wood, chain link, stone, rock, concrete block, pre-cast panels, brick, masonry, decorative wrought iron or something similarly durable; sheet, roll or corrugated metal, barbed or razor wire, particle board and plywood under 5/8 inch are banned. Corner lots get a Traffic review for clear vision. Lots in a historic district, flood zone or Neighborhood Conservation District get an extra review before the permit issues. A retaining wall 4 feet or less with only a fence on top needs no retaining-wall permit, but the fence still needs its own.
How to Get a Fence Permit in San Antonio
Measure what you are replacing
If you are repairing 25% or less of an existing fence that is no taller than 6 feet, no permit is needed.
Check your heights and lot type
Confirm front, side and rear heights against UDC 35-514 and note whether you are on a corner lot or in a historic, flood or conservation district.
Draw a site plan
Mark property lines, existing structures, easements and the height and material of each fence section.
Apply on BuildSA
Create a portal account and submit the Residential Fence Application under the Building tab, uploading the site plan as a PDF.
Pay and build
Pay the flat fee once DSD approves the application; there is no fence inspection, but the fence must match the approved plan.