Fences can be a means of keeping order for property owners or a point of contention between neighbors when property lines get questioned.
Most of the time, fence contractors find that disputes over fences and property lines occur when people are unclear about the rules pertaining to fence installation.
In Texas, there are specific placement rules that property owners must adhere to, specifically to prevent these disputes.
Before calling a fence company to have them install or replace a fence, owners should understand state zoning laws about where their fence must be positioned for it to be considered legal.
Research Local Fencing Ordinances First
Though fencing rules throughout Texas are generally the same, it is also true that some residential neighborhoods or zoning areas may have different ordinances that apply.
For this reason, fencing contractors recommended that before assuming general zoning laws apply, homeowners should reach out to their local zoning office to get the specifics.
Considering that a building permit must usually be sought to install or replace any fence, that is a good time to also ask about any explicit laws that might apply.
Laws Pertaining to Boundary Line Fences
The only law observed in Texas about boundary line barriers is that all fencing be installed on or within the property boundaries and not over the property line.
While that might seem like a simple rule to follow, questions over the exact location of property lines are what cause the most contention between neighbors.
In areas where barriers installed right on the boundary line are legal, ownership is joint, meaning both property owners must pay to maintain it and ultimately replace it when the time comes.
Prior to hiring a fence company to install a new fence or replace an existing one, property owners would be wise to hire a surveyor to find and mark the actual property lines to avoid unnecessary confusion and bad feelings between neighbors.
Property Line Setback Requirements
When researching fence rules in any community, fence contractors also recommend that property owners confirm whether any setback requirements exist.
Setback requirements may state that the fence must be inset a certain distance from the overall property line and that properties do not share a common fence line.
In areas where boundary line fences are permitted, fence companies must still adhere to road setback requirements which state how far from the road any structure around the front of the property must be.
Some neighborhoods or HOAs may also restrict front yard fencing with a setback beyond the front of the house.
Confirm Property Line Rules When Installing Fencing
Whether installing new fencing or replacing older damaged ones, it is imperative to know what Texas property line laws apply beforehand.
Though many fence contractors are aware of the requirements for properties in their service area, it is ultimately the homeowner’s responsibility to confirm local and HOA rules about boundary line fences and setbacks as well as pay for a boundary survey.
Once all boundary issues have been considered, discuss all requirements with a reliable fence company to plan a hassle-free installation!
