Residential Front Yard Fencing Standards in the City of Arlington
In the City of Arlington, fences located within the front yard setback of a residential property are generally restricted to a maximum height of three feet, although ornamental metal rail fences are permitted up to four feet. Specific exceptions to these height limits are provided for properties with permitted agricultural uses, which may have fences up to six feet, and for residential lots sized one acre or larger, which may install fences up to eight feet in height [Section 5.3.4].
General Height and Visibility Requirements
Under the City of Arlington Unified Development Code, the maximum height for a standard fence in a residential front yard is determined by the materials used and the specific nature of the property. All measurements are taken from the average established grade at the front lot line.
Residential Front Yard Fence Height Limits
| Condition or Property Type | Maximum Height | Material/Transparency Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Front Yard Setback | 3 feet | Varies (see materials section below) |
| Ornamental Metal Rail Fence | 4 feet | Minimum 75% transparency |
| Townhouse Block | 4 feet | Must be ornamental metal rail |
| Permitted Agricultural Use | 6 feet | Subject to Zoning Administrator approval |
| Residential Lots 1 Acre or Larger | 8 feet | Max 25% solid if using masonry |
Special Provisions for Specific Residential Types
The City of Arlington Unified Development Code provides specialized standards for certain residential configurations to ensure safety and neighborhood character.
Townhouse Developments
For townhouse blocks in the City of Arlington, front yard fence heights are regulated based on the garage configuration:
- Rear-Loaded Garages: Ornamental metal rail fences up to four feet in height are allowed along the front lot line [Section 5.3.4.A.h].
- Front-Loaded Garages: Ornamental metal rail fences up to four feet in height must begin at a point at least eight feet from the front lot line to maintain visibility at drive approaches [Section 5.3.4.A.h].
Large Residential Lots (One Acre or Larger)
Residential lots in the City of Arlington that are one acre in size or larger may increase the height of a fence in the minimum front yard to eight feet. These fences must be constructed of wrought iron, ornamental steel, or an equivalent permanent material. Masonry may be incorporated into these tall front yard fences, provided the solid portion does not exceed 25 percent of the total linear length of the fence [Section 5.3.4.A.h].
Material and Design Standards
To preserve the aesthetic quality of neighborhoods, the City of Arlington mandates specific materials for any fence placed within a front yard setback.
Approved Front Yard Materials
Residential property owners must use one of the following for front yard fencing:
- Vinyl or Composite Open Picket: Must provide at least 50 percent visibility [Section 5.3.4.A.g].
- Ornamental Metal Rail: Must provide at least 75 percent transparency [Section 5.3.4.A.g].
- Masonry Columns: These may be used with the above materials if constructed of brick, stone, or reinforced concrete with a minimum 30-year life expectancy [Section 5.3.4.A.g].
Prohibited Front Yard Materials
The City of Arlington expressly prohibits the following materials for use in front yard fencing:
- Cedar, redwood, or other wood products;
- Chain link;
- Sheet, roll, or corrugated metal;
- Cast off or secondhand items [Section 5.3.4.A.g].
Visibility and Safety Constraints
Regardless of the maximum height allowed, the City of Arlington Unified Development Code requires that no fence obstruct the "visibility triangle" required for traffic safety. Fences located within a visibility triangle must either:
- Maintain a vertical clearance of seven feet from the grade to the bottom of the sign/structure (with supports not exceeding six inches in diameter); or
- Not exceed two feet in total height as measured from the grade to the top of the fence [Section 7.6.5, Section 5.3.5].
Sections Cited
- Section 5.3.4, Fences
- Section 5.3.5, Visibility Triangles Maintained
- Section 7.6.5, Obstructions to View