This guide covers property inside New Braunfels city limits. Schertz, Seguin, Garden Ridge, Bulverde, San Marcos and other cities have their own rules, and unincorporated areas mostly follow deed restrictions. HOAs can be stricter than the city. This is general information, not legal advice. The city has been updating its Land Development Ordinance, so confirm with the city's Development Services before you build.
Height limits
- Maximum height: 8 feet for one- and two-family residential property.
- Front yards: no taller than 36 inches, unless the fence is at least 50 percent open, in which case it can be 4½ feet.
- Side yards: a fence running from the front or rear corners of the house can extend through the side yard at the maximum height.
- How height is measured: from the lowest adjacent ground, inside or outside the fence, to the top of the tallest part of the fence. Ornamental caps on posts or columns don't count.
Corner lots also have a visibility area near the intersection where tall fences and other obstructions aren't allowed, so drivers can see. Check this with the city before building near a corner.
Do you need a permit?
For most fences, no. The city's amendments to the building code exempt fences from building permits, with three exceptions that do need a permit:
- Swimming pool barrier fences
- Fences over 7 feet tall
- Fences built in a drainage easement
Residential fence permits can be submitted online through the city's permit portal.
Utility easements
New Braunfels Utilities says property owners may not build on an NBU easement except for certain items, and fences are allowed only with NBU's approval and only if 16-foot gates are installed for access. NBU also notes that a building permit doesn't mean the work is OK on an easement, so it's the owner's job to check. Your plat shows the easements on your lot.
Call 811 before digging
Texas law requires contacting 811 at least two business days before digging, weekends and holidays excluded, even in your own backyard. Fence building is specifically on Texas811's list of projects that require it. If you hire a contractor, the call is the contractor's responsibility, and you can ask for the ticket number. Utility locators don't mark private lines, such as sprinkler systems or a line you ran to an outbuilding.
HOAs and deed restrictions
Many subdivisions require architectural approval before a fence goes up and set rules on height, material, color and which side faces out. Get approval in writing before work starts. Fixing a fence afterward costs more.
Sources
- City of New Braunfels: Code interpretation, measuring fence height (Sec. 144-5.3-2)
- City of New Braunfels Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14 (Municode)
- City of New Braunfels: Permits and applications
- New Braunfels Utilities: Easements
- Texas811: Homeowners
- Texas Co-op Power: Call before you dig (what locators don't mark)
Common questions
How tall can a fence be in New Braunfels?
Up to 8 feet on residential property inside city limits. Front-yard fences are limited to 36 inches, or 4½ feet if at least 50 percent open.
Do I need a permit to build a fence in New Braunfels?
Not for most fences. A permit is required for swimming pool barrier fences, fences over 7 feet tall, and fences in a drainage easement.
Can I put a fence on a utility easement?
On a New Braunfels Utilities easement, only with NBU's approval, and the fence must have 16-foot gates for access.
Do I have to call 811 for a fence?
Yes. Texas law requires contacting 811 at least two business days before digging, excluding weekends and holidays. If a contractor builds the fence, the call is their responsibility.