Unless specified elsewhere in the Zoning Ordinance, the provisions of an ordinance governing a Planned Development District, or an ordinance granting a Specific Use Permit, all fences and screening devices constructed or installed on property used or zoned for residential purposes, whether required or optional, shall be installed plumb and in a professional manner and in accordance with the following minimum standards:
a) 
Approved fence materials shall be those that are typically manufactured for and used in the fencing industry and shall include:
1) 
wooden planks with vertical posts consisting of galvanized steel;
2) 
masonry or reinforced concrete;
3) 
wrought iron, architectural steel, ornamental iron, tubular steel or other decorative-type metals which are suitable for this type of use;
4) 
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or vinyl composite which is designed and manufactured specifically as fencing materials;
5) 
chainlink; or
6) 
Pipe-rail or split-rail fencing on properties not within a Planned Development (PD) district, and shown to be consistent with the surrounding properties, may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
All fencing materials must be designated for outdoor use and designed or treated to withstand the elements and provide resistance to decay.
b) 
All fence materials shall be securely fastened using standard fasteners of the type, size and material intended for the particular use in the fencing industry. All nails and fasteners shall be of a nonrusting, noncorrosive metal and shall be of the type that when properly driven, will not work free due to wind vibration or shrinkage of the materials.
c) 
Fences constructed in residential zoning districts are allowed in back and side yards with a fence height not to exceed eight (8) feet.
(Ordinance 2013-24, secs. 3.5200–3.5201, adopted 7/9/13; Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18)
The following standards shall apply to fences installed on property used for or zoned for development as a single-family residential property along a side or rear lot line or property line that is adjacent to property as used for or zoned for development as a single-family residential property:
a) 
A fence or screening device is not required to be installed. If a fence is installed, it shall be as specified in Table 3.5206.
b) 
Fences, walls, and dense landscaping hedges are permitted to be used as a screening device within the same residential district provided the landscape hedge is not less than six (6) feet tall and complies with the Residential Landscape Regulations set forth by Sections 3.5400 et. seq. of the Zoning Ordinance.
c) 
All installed fences shall comply with any applicable additional standards set forth in Section 4.5200.
d) 
Any fence abutting a designated open space or common area shall be constructed with nonopaque materials such as wrought iron, tubular steel, split rail, etc. In no case shall wood stockade-type fencing be allowed as a screening device adjacent to a designated open space or common area.
(Ordinance 2013-24, sec. 3.5202, adopted 7/9/13; Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18)
a) 
A fence or screening device subject to the standards described in Table 3.5206 is required to be installed on property used for or zoned for development as residential property along a side or rear lot line or property line abutting a minor thoroughfare or local street.
b) 
All installed fences and screening devices shall comply with any applicable additional standards set forth in Section 4.5200.
c) 
For purpose of this Section 3.5203, a “minor thoroughfare or local street” means a roadway designated to have an ultimate right-of-way width of less than 80 feet as designated by the City’s adopted Thoroughfare Plan Map or an approved plat map.
(Ordinance 2013-24, sec. 3.5203, adopted 7/9/13; Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18)
a) 
A fence or screening device fabricated of masonry and/or tubular steel and subject to the standards described in Table 3.5206 is required to be installed on property used for or zoned for development as residential property along a side or rear lot line or property line abutting a major thoroughfare or arterial highway.
b) 
Fence or screening devices abutting a major thoroughfare shall comply with the following:
1) 
All installed fences and screening devices shall comply with any applicable additional standards set forth in Section 4.5200.
2) 
Wood fencing is prohibited.
3) 
Masonry columns shall be placed at intervals of no greater than 32 feet on-center; shall be at least eight (8) inches taller than the remainder of the screening wall; and shall extend at least three (3) inches from the vertical plane of the wall. The capstone of the column shall not exceed nine (9) feet in height.
4) 
When the terminus of a cul-de-sac is located within 80 feet of a major thoroughfare or arterial highway, an opening of 150 feet must be provided along the fence subject to the following:
i) 
The measurement shall be taken from the middle bottom portion of the cul-de-sac closest to the major thoroughfare or arterial highway and measured 75 feet in both directions, for a total of 150 feet;
ii) 
The opening interval shall be constructed of either tubular steel or wrought iron with pedestrian access through the fence authorized but not required; and
iii) 
Such a fence segment must comply with Section 4.5200.
c) 
For purposes of this Section 3.5204, the phrases “major thoroughfare” and “arterial highway” mean a roadway designated to have an ultimate right-of-way width of 80 feet or more as designated by the City’s adopted Thoroughfare Plan Map or an approved plat map.
(Ordinance 2013-24, sec. 3.5204, adopted 7/9/13; Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18)
a) 
A fence or screening device is not required to be installed on property developed or zoned for institutional use abutting property that is developed or zoned for residential use.
b) 
For purposes of this Section 3.5205, an “institutional use” shall mean the following uses:
1) 
Property used solely for a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other place of worship;
2) 
Public/private schools/day care centers;
3) 
Parks/Open Space/Trails; and
4) 
Any other use described or defined as a community facility.
c) 
Fences, walls, and dense landscaping hedges are permitted to be used as a screening device within the same residential district.
d) 
Any required vegetative screen must:
1) 
be not less than six (6) feet high;
2) 
comply with the Residential Landscape Regulations set forth by Sections 3.5400 et. seq. of the Zoning Ordinance;
3) 
comply with applicable regulations set forth in Section 4.5200;
4) 
be maintained by HOA, if applicable, or property owner, and
5) 
have 75% opacity.
e) 
The owner of the property on which the institutional use is located shall maintain all fences and screening devices located on the property in a healthy, growing condition.
f) 
All installed fences and screening devices shall comply with any applicable additional standards set forth in Section 4.5200.
g) 
Screening of playgrounds or private or public parks for institutional uses which do not contain a structure or paving within 30 feet of a common residential property line is not required by this Section 3.5205.
(Ordinance 2013-24, sec. 3.5205, adopted 7/9/13; Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18)
Table 3.5206 below summarizes the standards for fences constructed between the adjacent uses described in Sections 3.5202 through 3.5205, above. To the extent of any conflict between Table 3.5206 and the provisions of Sections 3.5202 through 3.5205, the provisions of Section 3.5202 through 3.5205 shall control. Compliance with all provisions of Sections 3.5202 and 3.5205 is required notwithstanding the omission of such requirement from Table 3.5206.
Table 3.5206
Zoning of Subject Property
Zoning or Use of Adjacent Property
Fence Required?
Primary fence material, if installed
Single-family residential
Single-family residential
No
6-foot wooden/PVC/Chainlink fence with steel posts/tubular steel
Single-family residential
Institutional
No
6-foot architectural steel/ornamental iron fence with 6-foot vegetative screening wall
Single-family residential
Right-of-way < 80 feet
Yes
6-foot wooden fence or 6-foot architectural steel/ornamental iron with 6-foot vegetative screening wall
Single-family residential
Right-of-way ≥ 80 feet
Yes
6-foot masonry fence with decorative landscaping or 6-foot architectural steel/ornamental iron fence with 6-foot vegetative screening wall
Multifamily
Right-of-way, Single-Family Residential, Nonresidential, or Institutional
Yes
6-foot masonry fence with decorative landscaping or 6-foot architectural steel/ornamental iron fence with 6-foot vegetative screening wall
Single-family residential
Multifamily
Yes
6-foot masonry fence with decorative landscaping or 6-foot architectural steel/ornamental iron fence with 6-foot vegetative screening wall
(Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18; Ordinance 2019-09, sec. 1(B), adopted 3/12/19)
All wooden fences shall be constructed in accordance with the following minimum standards:
a) 
Fence planks or pickets must be at least 5/8-inch-thick and shall be either spruce or any naturally rot resistant material (e.g. cedar, cypress, redwood). Pine pickets and planks (treated or untreated) are prohibited. An alternative wood material may be used if the product is determined by the Director of Planning and the Chief Building Official to be of superior quality and have a longer useful life than the other wood materials otherwise allowed by this paragraph.
b) 
Fences constructed adjacent to a public street, right-of-way, open space, trail or other designated public area shall have the exposed posts and rails oriented toward the inside of the property and away from public view.
c) 
The bottom of a wood fence shall be constructed with no ground to wooden plank contact; provided, however, the ground-to-fence separation shall not exceed four (4) inches.
d) 
A kick board made of material that is suitable for ground contact may be installed to cover the gap between the ground and the bottom of the fence planks; provided, however, such kick board shall be installed such that surface drainage is not impeded or blocked.
e) 
Vertical posts on wood fences shall be installed subject to the following:
1) 
All vertical posts shall be a minimum 2-3/8 inch outside diameter by .095 (Schedule 20) galvanized steel and shall be capped using a galvanized cap designed for this type of application. Fences that are required to be maintained by a property/homeowners association in accordance with a Planned Development district, shall use 0.130 (Schedule 40) galvanized steel posts.
2) 
For fences measuring between five (5) feet and seven (7) feet in height, vertical posts shall be spaced at a maximum distance of eight (8) feet on-center, embedded a minimum of 24 inches into a 30-inch-deep, six (6) inch diameter (minimum) concrete post footing. Fences that are required to be maintained by a property/homeowners association in accordance with a Planned Development district, shall have posts that are embedded a minimum of 36-inches into a minimum 42-inch-deep, six (6) inch diameter concrete post footing.
3) 
For fences measuring between seven (7) feet and eight (8) feet in height, vertical posts shall be spaced at a maximum distance of six (6) feet on-center, embedded a minimum of 32 inches into a 42-inch-deep, six (6) inch diameter (minimum) concrete post footing. Fences that are required to be maintained by a property/homeowners association in accordance with a Planned Development district, shall have posts that are embedded a minimum of 36-inches into a minimum 42-inch-deep, six (6) inch diameter concrete post footing.
4) 
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection e) to the contrary, the Chief Building Official may require more stringent requirements relating to the placement and size of vertical fence posts based upon soil conditions and boring test results.
f) 
Fence pickets shall be installed vertically and plumb to horizontal bracing stringers or rails (bottom and top nailer boards) running from vertical post to post using one and three fourths (1-3/4) inch minimum galvanized screw shank or ring shank nails.
g) 
One horizontal stringer will be required for every two (2) feet of fence height. The size of the stringers shall be no less than two (2) inches by three (3) inches and shall be secured to the steel posts using noncorrosive metal anchor straps and 1/4-inch minimum noncorrosive lag bolts. Fences that are six (6) feet in height shall have a minimum of three (3) horizontal stringers and fences greater than six (6) feet in height shall have four (4) horizontal stringers.
h) 
All materials shall be securely fastened (i.e., vertical pickets to horizontal stringers to vertical posts) to ensure a continual, attractive appearance and safe conditions, free from rot, rust, other sources of decay and vandalism.
(Ordinance 2013-24, sec. 3.5221, adopted 7/9/13; Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18; Ordinance 2018-51 adopted 8/28/18)
a) 
Masonry walls, fences and screening devices shall be constructed of:
1) 
brick;
2) 
stone;
3) 
decorative split-face block; or
4) 
a reinforced concrete wall provided such wall has a finished appearance similar to separately laid masonry materials.
b) 
Masonry columns shall be spaced a maximum of 32 feet apart on-center; the capstone of columns shall not exceed nine (9) feet in height; columns shall extend at least eight (8) inches above the remainder of the screening wall; and columns shall extend horizontally at least three (3) inches from the vertical plane of the wall.
c) 
Masonry walls and their foundations shall be engineered and have the certification or seal of a professional engineer licensed to practice in the State of Texas.
d) 
There shall be no separation between the masonry wall and the ground (i.e. concrete footing), and the wall shall include openings for drainage (i.e. weep holes).
(Ordinance 2013-24, sec. 3.5222, adopted 7/9/13; Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18)
a) 
Shrubs must be planted a distance of not greater than three (3) feet on center for the entire length of, and within two (2) feet parallel to, all wrought iron, architectural steel, ornamental iron, tubular steel or other decorative-type metals when allowed or required to be installed.
b) 
The Planning Director shall have the authority to allow an increase in the shrubbery spacing requirement set forth in subsection a), above, based on the recommended spacing requirements for the plant species to be used.
c) 
Unless masonry columns are used, all posts for a wrought iron, architectural steel, ornamental iron, tubular steel or other decorative-type metal fence shall be of the same or similar material type and color as the fence panels and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and industry standards.
(Ordinance 2013-24, sec. 3.5223, adopted 7/9/13; Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18)
PVC or vinyl composite fences shall be subject to the following:
a) 
All fence panels shall be white, gray, tan or similar neutral or earth-tone color;
b) 
Unless masonry columns are used, all posts shall be the same material type and color as the fence panels in order to provide for a uniform appearance;
c) 
Installation shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and industry standards; and
d) 
The fence shall comply with all applicable provisions of Section 4.5200.
(Ordinance 2013-24, sec. 3.5224, adopted 7/9/13; Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18)
a) 
Chainlink fences may be installed if another type of fence is not otherwise required for screening purposes.
b) 
Notwithstanding subsection a), above, a chainlink fence or other type of wire material used as a fence is not permitted to be installed adjacent to any nonresidential use abutting a public thoroughfare that has a right-of-way width of greater than 80 feet, excluding parks, schools, churches and other places of worship, sports and play areas, and athletic and sports facilities that are part of a park, school or church or other place of worship.
c) 
If chainlink fence is permitted by right within a residentially zoned area, excluding detached single-family units, such fencing shall require a top and bottom rail.
d) 
All chainlink fences shall be constructed subject to the following:
1) 
Vertical posts shall comply with the following:
i) 
All vertical terminal posts (corner, gate and end) shall be a minimum 2-3/8 inch outside diameter by .065 gauge galvanized steel and shall be capped using an aluminum or galvanized post cap designed for this type of application.
ii) 
All vertical line posts shall be a minimum 1-5/8 inch outside diameter x .065 gauge galvanized steel and shall be capped using an aluminum or galvanized post cap designed for this type of application.
iii) 
All post lengths shall equal the fence height plus the bury depth of 24 inches minimum into a 30-inch-deep minimum, six (6) inch diameter (minimum) concrete post footing.
2) 
The top and bottom rail shall be a minimum 1-3/8 inch outside diameter x .055 gauge galvanized steel.
3) 
The chainlink fabric shall be a minimum 11-1/2 gauge, galvanized material with a minimum 12-gauge single strand tension wire along the bottom of the fabric. Tension wire to be pig-ringed to fabric on 16 to 18 inch centers maximum and set to within four (4) inches or less from the bottom of the fence. Fabric to be secured to top rail and line posts by minimum 11-gauge aluminum fence ties on 16 to 18 inch centers.
4) 
All materials shall be securely fastened using galvanized bands, bolts, tension bars, etc. to ensure a continual, attractive appearance and safe conditions.
(Ordinance 2013-24, sec. 3.5225, adopted 7/9/13; Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18)
The use of barbed wire as a fence material is prohibited except in the following circumstances:
a) 
Barbed wire may be used on undeveloped parcels with an area of greater than three (3) acres; and
b) 
Barbed wire may be used as fencing necessary for containing livestock actually located and kept on property where agricultural uses are permitted.
(Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18)
a) 
If a Homeowners’ Association (HOA) exists, the HOA shall be responsible for upkeep and maintenance of fencing or screening device and the parkways between said devices and the curb or street pavement that constitute common areas of the subdivision over which the HOA has jurisdiction.
b) 
If no HOA exists, then the individual owner of the property on which the fence is located shall be responsible for the maintenance or upkeep of fencing or screening device and the parkway between said devices and the curb or street pavement.
c) 
The City shall have the right to levy an assessment for the expense of needed repairs or maintenance should homeowners or the HOA fail to maintain said fencing or screening devices and the parkway between said devices and the curb or street pavement.
d) 
All portions of fences, required or optional, shall be maintained by the HOA (if one exists) or the owner of the property so that the fence or screening devices are structurally sound and in a state of good repair, with all materials and fasteners free from deterioration, termite infestation, rot, rust or loosening, and in a condition in which they do not pose a health or safety risk. Fences shall not be more than ten (10) degrees out of vertical alignment as measured from the base. All broken, damaged, removed or missing parts of a fence shall be replaced by the owner within ten (10) days of receiving notice from the Chief Building Official or their designee.
e) 
At all street intersections, a clear vision must be maintained across the lot for a distance of 25 feet back from the property corner along both streets.
f) 
The City Engineer, or his designee, must approve the location of the entrance sign to ensure said device will not obstruct visibility and that there are no traffic safety issues.
(Ordinance 2013-24, sec. 5250, adopted 7/9/13; Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18)
a) 
Residential fences shall also meet any other requirements found in Section 4.5200, if applicable.
b) 
Structures and fences in existence at the time of the adoption of this ordinance shall be exempt from the General Fence Design standards but shall conform to the maintenance requirements set forth in Section 4.5200. Any replacement, expansion or structural addition of any kind to these structures or fences shall conform to the provisions of this Section.
(Ordinance 2013-24, sec. 5251, adopted 7/9/13; Ordinance 2018-43 adopted 7/10/18)