Fort Worth Corner Lot Fence and Visibility Triangle Regulations
In the City of Fort Worth, fences located on corner lots are strictly limited to a maximum height of two feet within the "visibility triangle," which is a triangular area formed by measuring 20 feet from the intersection of the property lines at the street corner. Outside of this visibility triangle, residential fences in the City of Fort Worth are generally restricted to four feet in height within required front yards and a maximum of eight feet in height when located behind the front building setback line. These regulations ensure that the City of Fort Worth maintains clear lines of sight for motorists and pedestrians at all street intersections.
Corner Lot Visibility Triangles (P.O.S.E.)
The City of Fort Worth defines the area required for traffic visibility as a Public Open Space Easement (P.O.S.E.) or a visibility triangle. Per the Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance, no fence exceeding two feet in height is permitted on a corner lot within a triangle formed by measuring 20 feet in each direction from the point of the corner of the property line at the street intersection [§ 5.305(b)(8)].
Additionally, the Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance mandates that other structures, such as kiosk signs, must be located at least 100 feet apart and must not obstruct these visibility triangles at any intersection [§ 6.414(a)(3)-(4)].
Visibility and Safety Standards
| Feature | Requirement | Section Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility Triangle Measurement | 20 feet along each property line from the corner intersection | § 5.305(b)(8) |
| Maximum Height in Triangle | 2 feet | § 5.305(b)(8) |
| Kiosk Sign Placement | Must not obstruct visibility triangles | § 6.414(a)(4) |
| Industrial Bufferyards | Must not obstruct vision at alley, street, or drive intersections | § 4.1104(d)(3) |
Residential Fence Height Regulations
Fences in One-Family and Two-Family Residential Districts of the City of Fort Worth are subject to specific height and design limitations based on their proximity to the street and the building line.
Front Yard Fences
In the City of Fort Worth, an open-design fence (such as wrought-iron, tubular steel, or picket) with a maximum density of 50% may be erected up to four feet in height within the minimum required front yard, platted front yard, or established front yard [§ 5.305(b)(2)a]. Solid fences or walls are generally prohibited in these front yard areas unless a property owner is granted a special exception by the City of Fort Worth Board of Adjustment [§ 5.305(b)(2)b].
If the Board of Adjustment grants a special exception, an open-design fence may be permitted up to five feet in height, provided it is compatible with the neighborhood and the applicant obtains consent from the adjacent property owners [§ 5.305(b)(2)c].
Side and Rear Yard Fences
Fences surrounding residential property in the City of Fort Worth are permitted to reach a maximum height of eight feet, provided they are located behind the front building setback line [§ 5.305(b)(7)].
General Residential Fence Standards
| Location/Type | Maximum Height | Design Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Front Yard | 4 feet | Open design (max 50% density) |
| Front Yard (w/ Special Exception) | 5 feet | Open design; requires Board of Adjustment approval |
| Area Behind Front Building Line | 8 feet | Standard maximum |
| Subdivision Entry Features | 6 feet | May be freestanding or attached to a wall |
| Through Lot Rear Yard | 4 feet | Only if the yard is functionally the front yard of a through lot |
Specific District and Use Regulations
Certain districts and land uses within the City of Fort Worth have unique requirements for fencing and visibility.
Urban Residential (UR) District
In the Urban Residential (UR) District of the City of Fort Worth, any fence or wall along a public street frontage or public open space that is taller than four feet must be an open design [§ 4.713(h)(2)d]. Furthermore, fences in the Urban Residential (UR) District are not permitted between the building facade and the property line for multifamily complexes [§ 4.713(h)(2)b].
Industrial and Commercial Screening
In the Industrial Park (IP) District and for other nonresidential uses, the City of Fort Worth requires screening fences to be a minimum of six feet in height to obscure storage areas from public view [§ 4.1104(e)(2)]. However, even these required screening fences must be erected so as not to obstruct the vision of motorists or pedestrians at any alley, street, or drive intersection [§ 4.1104(e)(4)].
Automotive Repair and Body Shops
The City of Fort Worth requires that vehicles accepted for repairs at automotive shops must be screened from view by a six-foot solid screening fence or a six-foot solid evergreen hedge if the shop is adjacent to or within 200 feet of any residential use [§ 5.305(a)(17)].
Sections Cited
- Section 4.713 - Urban Residential (“UR”) District
- Section 4.1104 - Industrial Park (“IP”) District
- Section 5.305 - Fences
- Section 6.414 - Kiosk Signs
- Section 6.508 - Entry Features
- Section 9.101 - Defined Terms