Fence Permit Cost in Arlington, TX (2026)
Residential fence permit fees for the City of Arlington, Texas (Tarrant County, in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex), pulled directly from the city's Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule effective September 1, 2025. Arlington prices a fence on a residential lot as a flat $25.00 - the same whether the fence is 40 feet or 400 feet, wood or masonry, because it is a single flat line, not a per-foot or valuation-based fee. That is among the lowest flat fence fees in the verified Texas set. Texas has no statewide permit levy, and Arlington adds no percentage surcharge.
This guide covers: The City of Arlington (Tarrant County) residential fence permit fee as printed on the Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule effective September 1, 2025 (Resolution No. 25-213, Exhibit A) - a flat $25.00 for a fence on a residential lot. That figure is exact from the schedule and is the same regardless of the fence's length, height, or material, because it is a single flat line rather than a per-foot or valuation-based fee.
Pool barrier fences: Arlington lists a separate "Swimming Pool Barrier fence" line, also at a flat $25.00. A barrier fence installed as part of a pool project is priced the same as a standard residential fence permit under this schedule.
On plan review and trades: a residential fence permit does not normally involve a separate electrical, mechanical, or plumbing trade permit (each of which is a separate $100.00 flat line if triggered). Arlington's plan-review fee is valuation-tiered and applies only when City staff (not a third-party reviewer) review plans; the schedule does not attach it to a flat fence line, and this guide does not add it.
This guide does NOT cover: the cost of the fence materials or labor, zoning or platting fees (fence height and placement rules are set by the Unified Development Code, which is a separate application), retaining walls (priced by valuation on Table 1, not the flat fence line), electric fences, HOA approvals, or impact fees. These are separate and are not included in the $25.00.
A residential fence permit in Arlington, TX is a flat $25.00 - the same at any fence length, height, or material, because it is a single flat line rather than a per-foot fee. A swimming pool barrier fence is also a flat $25.00. A fence permit does not normally carry a separate trade permit or plan-review fee. Zoning rules on fence height and placement (Unified Development Code) are a separate matter, and retaining walls are priced by valuation, not this flat line. Texas adds no state levy. Figures are from the City of Arlington fee schedule effective September 1, 2025.
- Arlington charges a flat $25.00 for a residential fence permit - the same fee regardless of length, height, or material, because it is a single flat line, not a per-foot or valuation-based schedule.
- A swimming pool barrier fence is a separate line at the same flat $25.00 - so a pool-barrier fence permit costs the same as a standard residential fence permit.
- A fence permit does not normally involve a separate electrical, mechanical, or plumbing trade permit (each $100.00 if triggered) or a plan-review fee. The valuation-tiered plan review applies only when City staff review plans and is not attached to a flat fence line.
- Retaining walls are not priced on the flat fence line - Arlington prices them by valuation on Table 1. An electric fence, height variance, or placement in an easement is a separate zoning matter under the Unified Development Code.
- For context among verified Texas cities: Arlington's $25.00 flat fence permit is among the lowest on the site - tied with Grand Prairie at $25 and below Richardson's $30, Temple's $35, and Lubbock's $75.
- The figures come from the City of Arlington fee schedule effective September 1, 2025 (Resolution 25-213, Exhibit A). Confirm current amounts with Planning and Development Services before budgeting.
Arlington Fence Permit Fee Structure
The residential fence permit is a single flat line, priced the same regardless of length, height, or value. There is no per-foot calculation, no valuation calculation, no technology surcharge, and no statewide levy on a residential fence permit.
| Item | Fee | How It Is Calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Fence permit (residential lot) | $25.00 | Flat fee from the "Fence residential lot" line - same at any length, height, or material. |
| Swimming pool barrier fence | $25.00 | Separate flat line for a pool barrier fence - priced the same as a standard residential fence. |
| Retaining wall | Valuation-based | Retaining walls are priced on Table 1 by declared valuation, not the flat fence line. |
| Plan review on a flat fence line | Not stated | Valuation-tiered plan review applies only when City staff review plans (not a TPO); the schedule does not attach it to a flat fence line. |
| State / city percentage levy | None | Texas has no statewide permit levy; Arlington adds no percentage surcharge. |
Source: City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, effective September 1, 2025 (Resolution No. 25-213, Exhibit A). The retaining-wall and plan-review rows are shown to disclose when the flat fence line may not apply, not to add a fee - confirm your project's classification with Planning and Development Services.
Worked Examples - Real Fence Projects in Arlington
Because the fence permit is a flat fee, the permit cost does not change with the length of the run or the material. What changes the picture is whether the structure is actually a fence or a retaining wall, and whether zoning rules require a separate review. Figures are from the city fee schedule effective September 1, 2025.
A homeowner replaces an aging six-foot wood privacy fence around a residential lot.
- Fence permit: $25.00
- Texas state levy: $0.00 (none)
- Fence permit: $25.00
The same $25.00 applies whether the fence run is 60 feet or 300 feet - it is a flat line, not per-foot.
A homeowner installing a new backyard pool adds the required safety barrier fence.
- Swimming pool barrier fence permit: $25.00
- (Pool permit itself is a separate flat line - see the Arlington pool guide)
- Barrier fence permit: $25.00
Arlington's barrier-fence line is the same flat $25.00 as a standard residential fence. The in-ground pool permit ($275.00) is billed separately.
A homeowner builds a masonry wall that holds back a graded slope, not just a privacy screen.
- Flat fence line: may not apply
- Retaining wall (Table 1 valuation): department call
- Classification: confirm with the city
A wall that retains soil is priced by valuation on Table 1, not the flat $25.00 fence line. This guide does not estimate that path - confirm the classification with Planning and Development Services.
When This Estimate May Not Apply
The flat $25.00 covers a residential fence on Arlington's September 1, 2025 schedule. Route your project to Arlington Planning and Development Services before relying on this figure if any of the following applies:
- The structure is a retaining wall. A wall that holds back soil is priced by valuation on Table 1, not the flat $25.00 fence line.
- Height or placement needs zoning approval. Fence height, corner-visibility, and easement rules are set by the Unified Development Code. A height variance or placement review is a separate zoning application with its own fee - not part of the $25.00.
- It is a commercial or subdivision screening fence. Those follow different lines (a commercial fence is priced separately); the flat $25.00 is the residential-lot line.
- An electric fence or gate operator is involved. Powered components may trigger a separate $100.00 electrical trade permit.
- The schedule is updated. These figures are exact from the schedule effective September 1, 2025, but a city can amend fees by resolution - confirm before filing.
Retaining walls, zoning variances, commercial fences, and powered-fence trade permits are excluded from the flat fence figure on this page, and the page-standard disclaimer applies - always verify with Arlington Planning and Development Services before budgeting.
Arlington Fence Permit Cost vs Other Verified Texas Cities
Texas cities price fence permits on different models - flat fees, per-foot rates, and value-based fees. The table below compares Arlington's flat fence permit with other verified Texas cities. Scope differs, so each figure notes its basis.
| City | Fence Fee Basis | Residential Fence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington, TX | Flat line, any size | $25.00 |
| Grand Prairie, TX | Flat line, any size | $25.00 |
| Richardson, TX | Flat line, any size | $30.00 |
| Temple, TX | Flat line, any size | $35.00 |
| Lubbock, TX | Flat line, any size | $75.00 |
Scope note: all five are flat fence lines with no per-foot calculation, so the difference is simply how each city sets its flat fee. Arlington's $25.00 is among the lowest verified in Texas, tied with Grand Prairie and below Richardson ($30), Temple ($35), and Lubbock ($75). Confirm current figures and whether zoning review is required with each department.
See Arlington's full residential fee schedule, or compare a nearby city's fence fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who to Contact
| Department | City of Arlington - Planning and Development Services (Permitting & Inspections) |
| Location | City of Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex) |
| City website | arlingtontx.gov |
| Fee schedule | Arlington Fee Schedule (Effective September 1, 2025) |
Sources
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City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule (Effective September 1, 2025, Resolution No. 25-213, Exhibit A) Arlington, TX (.gov) - the city's official fee schedule PDF. Primary source for the $25.00 flat residential fence permit, the $25.00 swimming pool barrier fence line, the valuation-based retaining-wall pricing, and the $100.00 electrical/mechanical/plumbing trade permits. Read June 13, 2026 exact - effective September 1, 2025
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Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 214 Texas statute (.gov) confirming municipal building-regulation authority and that Texas imposes no statewide percentage building-permit levy. Context for the "no statewide levy" statement. Verified June 2026.