Houston Fence and Gate Services

Houston is the largest city in Texas — and the fourth largest in the United States, with a population of more than 2.3 million. The city is continuing to grow in such a way that by 2030, it will be home to 2.8 million residents (overtaking Brooklyn!).

The city has a median lot size of 7,131 square feet, which is substantially smaller than many other cities. As a result, Buzz fields a lot of requests for wooden privacy fences or stockade fencing for privacy and sound reduction. Additionally, Houston residents often seek out iron pool gates, solar-powered gates, fences with brick columns.

The city doesn’t require a building permit for standard residential fences less than 8 feet tall. However, there are plenty of restrictions that may apply, especially if you live in a community with homeowners’ association rules about the style, height and material selection. It’s always best to check the fences in your neighborhood and use them as a guideline for your fencing project.

If you plan on building masonry or concrete fences of any size, or building a fence in a flood-prone area, you will need a permit.

The city allows a wide range of materials, including wood, PVC vinyl, composite, metal and chain link. No barbed wire, razor wire or electric fences are allowed.

Front-yard fences need approval from the Houston Planning and Development Department.

• Can’t I just repair this old fence instead of getting a whole new one?

More often than not, we can only make a true recommendation after inspecting the current state of your fence. We’ll help you figure out a solution that fits your needs and your budget.

• Does my recent lifestyle change mean I need a new fence?
  It depends. Did you install a swimming pool and have small children you want to keep safe? Did you do extensive landscaping work and want to keep critters out? Did you adopt a new pet and want to make a doggie run? If so, then most likely! If you have specific safety, security or aesthetic concerns, give Buzz a call and we can help you solve them.

Below are some of Buzz’s busiest areas in the north Houston area and what type of fencing you’re most likely to spot in each community. 

Cypress, TX

• Average household income: $111,752
• Median home value: $381,395
• Population: 202,936 

This unincorporated community northwest of Houston is the 14th largest community in Texas. The town is full of large, new homes. Nearly three-quarters of homes were built in the past 20 years, and the community has more 4+ bedroom houses than 98 percent of communities in the country. Cypress falls under Houston jurisdiction and fencing rules, but even more important is to make sure you OK your fence with your homeowners association and their set of guidelines, which are often more restrictive than city rules alone and can determine the material, height and design of the fence you can build on your property. Popular fencing in this area includes wooden privacy fencing, wrought iron or black aluminum fencing and gates, as well as metal fencing around pools.

Sources: 

• https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/tx/cypress/demographics

Humble, TX

• Average household income: $53,038
• Median home value: $180,303
• Population: 16,795

This north Houston suburb is an established community with residents living in small single-family homes, often 1-2 bedrooms. Much of the town’s housing was built between 1970 and 1999, so it’s common for fencing repairs to pop up at this point, especially due to wind damage, and most repairs do not require a permit. However, Humble recently passed a fencing provision that requires a permit for new fencing. Rules include a height limit of 8 feet, and specific easements on property and rear lot lines. Front-yard fences must be decorative only, and no taller than 4 feet. Materials restrictions also apply (for instance, no chain-link or electric fencing). Buzz gets a lot of requests for wooden privacy fencing. 

Sources: 

• https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/tx/humble
• https://www.cityofhumbletx.gov/site/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ord-22-916.pdf

Spring, TX

• Average household income: $73,467
• Median home value: $205,315
• Population: 62,559

This north Houston community grew by about 10,000 residents in the past decade but has held steady for the past few years. Most houses were built between 1970 and 1999 and may be due for fencing repairs due to wind damage. Most residents live in average-sized 3-4 bedroom homes, though newer homes tend to be larger and more than 3,000 square feet. Fencing projects are overseen by the Harris County Engineering department and most do not require building permits (unless in a flood zone). However, your fence is still subject to HOA guidelines in your individual neighborhood, so make sure to contact them for further instruction. Buzz gets a wide range of custom requests from this community, including vinyl, iron and aluminum fencing. Wooden privacy fencing is also popular, as are fences with custom gates. 

Sources: 

• https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/tx/humble
• https://www.houstonfencecodes.com/spring

It’s important for homeowners in Harris County to choose a fence material that can withstand hot Texas summers, humidity, rain, hurricanes and straight-line wind without a lot of maintenance.

Because of Houston’s humid subtropical climate, the area is prone to thunderstorms and tornadoes during the spring, as well as flooding and hurricanes during monsoon season (May to October).

Hurricanes historically make landfall here, including the devastating 1900 Galveston hurricane and more recently Hurricanes Harvey and Nicholas.

The best kind of fence to stand up against these conditions is one that is not solid. Wooden panels with slits in them, or pickets with spacing can help you weather the storms better. Chain-link fences are ideal for storms — though most homeowners (and some cities) find the material unsightly.

If you prefer the classic wooden stockade style fence for privacy, we recommend setting the fence with steel posts in concrete footings to reinforce them. Add horizontal rails for an even sturdier design.

Not only are we fence experts, we’re also custom gate experts! You can choose from a wide variety of materials to add a driveway or walkway gate to your property. Wood, iron, vinyl, and aluminum, as well as decorative features like wrought iron finials, pewter spires, or glass accents — we can help you find the right fit for your neighborhood and budget. In the case of driveway gates, we can figure out whether swinging or sliding doors are the best option for you, and we can discuss the benefits of solar-powered openers. If you have questions about fencing or gates in the Houston area, give your friends at Buzz a call today.