New safe fencing regulations designed to improve safety for children and wildlife go into effect July 31, 2023.
The new regulations, which the Austin City Council approved at its July 20 meeting, prohibit certain dangerous fence designs, including spiked pickets, bars and other decorative elements that protrude above the top horizontal bar of a fence.
“We appreciate the input we have received from the community as we worked to address Council’s goal to make fencing in Austin safer for children and wildlife,” said Daniel Word, Assistant Director with the Development Services Department.
Elements of the ordinance affect most newly constructed residential and commercial fences. There is no change to the types of fences that require permits, but residents will be required to follow the guidelines when adding new fences or replacing more than 50 percent of an existing fence.
Visit austintexas.gov/page/fences to learn more about the new safe fencing requirements.