Fence Permit Cost in Temple, TX (2026)
Residential fence permit fees for the City of Temple, Texas, pulled directly from the Permit Fee Schedule (Exhibit A). Temple prices a fence permit as a flat $35.00 - the same whether you build a short side-yard fence or a long perimeter fence, because it is a single flat line, not a per-linear-foot or valuation-based fee. Notably, Temple's new-home per-square-foot fee explicitly does not include fences, so a fence is its own permit. Texas has no statewide permit levy, and Temple adds no percentage surcharge on the fence permit.
This guide covers: The City of Temple (Bell County) residential fence permit fee as printed on the Permit Fee Schedule (Exhibit A) - a flat $35.00 "Fence" line. 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-linear-foot or valuation-based fee.
Fences are billed separately from a new home: Temple's new single-family fee ($0.135 per square foot) states by its own note that it does not include permits for fences, storage buildings, accessory structures, lawn irrigation, or swimming pools. So a fence on a new-construction lot is still a separate $35.00 permit - it is not folded into the per-square-foot building fee.
Important note on fee schedule dating: The schedule prints no exact effective date or adopting resolution. Treat $35.00 as the current published amount and confirm it with the Permit Office at (254) 298-5640 before relying on it.
This guide does NOT cover: fence construction or material cost, HOA approvals, surveys, zoning sight-triangle or setback questions, or a retaining wall (Temple lists Retaining Wall as its own separate $35.00 line). These are separate items and are not included in the fence permit fee.
A residential fence permit in Temple, TX is a flat $35.00 - the same at any length, height, or material, because it is a single flat line rather than a per-foot or valuation-based fee. It is billed separately from the new-home per-square-foot fee, and Texas adds no state levy. A retaining wall is a separate $35.00 line. The figure is from the Permit Fee Schedule (Exhibit A), which prints no exact effective date.
- Temple charges a flat $35.00 for a residential fence permit - the same fee regardless of fence length, height, or material, because it is a single flat line, not a per-linear-foot or valuation-based schedule.
- A fence is billed separately from a new home: Temple's $0.135 per-square-foot new-home fee explicitly excludes fences, so the $35.00 fence permit stands on its own even on new construction.
- There is no plan-review surcharge or technology fee on the flat fence line, and Texas has no statewide percentage permit levy - unlike Virginia's 2% USBC add-on.
- For context among verified Texas cities: Temple's $35.00 fence permit is among the lowest on the site - just above McKinney's $30 and below Beaumont's $40, New Braunfels's $50, and Longview's $55.
- The figures come from the current City of Temple Permit Fee Schedule (Exhibit A), which prints no exact effective date. Confirm current amounts with the Permit Office at (254) 298-5640 before budgeting.
Temple Fence Permit Fee Structure
The fence permit is a single flat line, priced the same regardless of length, height, or material. There is no per-linear-foot calculation, no valuation math, no technology surcharge, and no statewide levy.
| Item | Fee | How It Is Calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Residential fence permit | $35.00 | Flat fee from the "Fence" miscellaneous line - same at any length, height, or material. |
| On a new home? | Still $35.00 | The $0.135/SF new-home fee excludes fences, so the fence permit is billed separately. |
| Retaining wall (if applicable) | $35.00 | Separate flat line - only if a retaining wall is part of the project. |
| State / city percentage levy | None | Texas has no statewide permit levy; Temple adds no percentage surcharge. |
Source: City of Temple Permit Fee Schedule (Exhibit A). The schedule prints no exact effective date. The retaining-wall line is shown for context - it is a separate $35.00 permit and applies only if your project includes a wall.
Worked Examples - Real Fence Projects in Temple
Because the fence permit is a flat fee, the permit cost does not change with fence length, height, or material. Figures are from the Permit Fee Schedule (Exhibit A).
A homeowner replaces a 150-foot, 6-foot wood privacy fence in the back yard.
- Residential fence permit: $35.00
- Texas state levy: $0.00 (none)
- Fence permit total: $35.00
The same $35.00 applies whether the run is 50 feet or 300 feet - it is a flat line, not per-foot. Confirm current fees with the Permit Office.
A builder finishes a new home and adds a perimeter fence. The fence is not part of the new-home per-square-foot fee.
- New-home building fee: $0.135/SF (excludes the fence)
- Separate fence permit: $35.00
- Fence permit portion: $35.00
Temple's schedule note lists fences among the items the per-square-foot new-home fee does not cover, so the $35.00 fence permit is separate. Confirm with the Permit Office.
A sloped lot needs a fence and a separate retaining wall.
- Residential fence permit: $35.00
- Retaining wall permit: $35.00
- Fence + retaining wall: $70.00
Whether your wall needs a separate retaining-wall permit depends on the project. Both are $35.00 flat lines on Temple's schedule. Confirm with the Permit Office before filing.
When This Estimate May Not Apply
The flat $35.00 covers the fence permit itself on Temple's Exhibit A schedule. Route your project to the Temple Permit Office at (254) 298-5640 before relying on this figure if any of the following applies:
- Your project includes a retaining wall. A retaining wall is a separate $35.00 permit on Temple's schedule, not part of the fence fee.
- Zoning or sight-triangle rules apply. Corner lots, front-setback height limits, and easement crossings are reviewed by the city; they do not carry a separate fee on this schedule but can affect what you may build.
- Your fence is a pool safety barrier. If the fence serves as a required pool barrier, coordinate with the pool permit; the fence line itself is still $35.00, but barrier compliance is a department determination.
- The work is commercial. This guide covers the residential fence line. Commercial fence work follows Temple's commercial building schedule ($100 per 1,000 linear feet in some cities differs - confirm Temple's commercial treatment), not the flat residential fee.
- The schedule is updated. The figures come from the schedule with no printed exact effective date and can change - confirm before filing.
Retaining walls, zoning review, and commercial work are excluded from the flat residential fence permit on this page, and the page-standard disclaimer applies - always verify with the Temple Permit Office before budgeting.
Temple Fence Permit Cost vs Other Verified Texas Cities
Most Texas cities price a residential fence permit as a flat fee, but the amount varies. The table below compares Temple's flat fence permit with other verified Texas cities. Scope differs, so each figure notes its basis.
| City | Fence Fee Basis | Residential Fence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Temple, TX | Flat fence line | $35.00 |
| McKinney, TX | Flat fence line | $30.00 |
| Beaumont, TX | Flat fence line | $40.00 |
| Longview, TX | Flat fence line | $55.00 |
Scope note: all four cities price the residential fence permit as a flat line that does not vary with length or material. Temple's $35.00 is near the bottom of this set - just above McKinney's $30.00 and below Beaumont ($40.00) and Longview ($55.00). Confirm current figures with each city.
See Temple's full residential fee schedule, or price a solar install or pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who to Contact
| Department | City of Temple - Building Permits & Inspections (Permit Office) |
| Phone | (254) 298-5640 |
| Location | City of Temple, Bell County, Texas |
| Fee schedule | City of Temple Permit Fee Schedule (Exhibit A) |
Sources
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City of Temple - Permit Fee Schedule (Exhibit A) Temple, TX - the city's official permit fee schedule PDF hosted on its content platform, linked from templetx.gov Building Permits & Inspections. Primary source for the flat $35.00 fence permit, the $35.00 retaining-wall line, and the new-home fee note that excludes fences. Captured July 2026 live schedule - no printed date, verify current
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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 July 2026.