Every so often the City of Austin will release new fence regulations. The rules can apply to fence height, building setback lines, construction materials and more. That’s why when you have a fence project it’s important to know what is and is not allowed before you start building.
As a professional Austin fence company that has won a national award for safety, Purple Fencing Company is totally up to speed on the latest fence installation regulations that are all about making fences safer for residential property and commercial property within the city limits. There have been a number of important changes over the years aimed at reducing injuries caused by certain fence designs and improving security to prevent injuries due to inadequate fencing.
If you’re a property owner in Austin that plans to replace half or more of an existing fence or wants to build a completely new fence, here are some important safety related fence laws to keep in mind.
Spiked Toppers
One of the strictest Austin fence regulations centers around the fence design at the top. You’ve probably seen metal fences around town with spiked elements at the top. They’re as dangerous as they look, and for that reason, spiked toppers aren’t allowed at all. The only instance in which it’s allowed is fences built before the regulations were in place that are “grandfathered” in.
The new Safe Fence regulations also apply to pickets that are pointed at the top. Those too can cause serious injury, so they are no longer allowed.
Twist Top Chain Link Fences
For the same reasons spiked toppers aren’t allowed, the same is true for twist top chain link fencing. Twist top chain link fences have sharp protrusions at the top of the fencing. If chain link is going to be used it has to have what’s known as a knuckle top design. With this design the metal pieces at the top are bent together and rounded.
Barbed Wire
With the new safe fencing code requirements barbed wire is only allowed to be used in limited situations for some commercial fencing and only if it’s federally mandated. The reason why there are a few exceptions is because the city recognizes that safety issues related to unauthorized individuals gaining entry to some properties is a greater risk.
Razor Wire
Razor wire, a type of security fencing material with sharp barbs, is completely prohibited. If a fence in Austin has razor wire it’s not a permitted fence at all.
Certain Size Gaps in the Fencing
The regulations surrounding gaps in fencing made of solid material are as much about access as they are about direct injury from the fence design. The goal is to eliminate the concern of entrapment while still creating a barrier for entry.
The newest regulations state that fencing with vertical pickets above the top rail must be spaced either less than two inches apart or more than nine inches apart. Anything in between is considered an entrapment hazard.
Swimming Pool Barriers
There’s another set of fence regulations for safety purposes that are related to school pool enclosures. With this type of fencing the concern is preventing accidents involving drowning. With that in mind, the regulations are largely focused on ensuring gaps aren’t large enough for people to fit through and the design doesn’t make it easy to climb the pool fence.
A swimming pool fence in Austin must:
- Be at least 4 feet tall
- Have a gate that is self-latching, self-closing and swings outward
- Made of a material that isn’t easy to climb – so no chain link fencing
- Have vertical boards spaced no more than 1.75″ apart
- Have no more than 4″ of clearance from the ground
Fencing at Property Zoned as a Floodplain Hazard Area
Central Texas has experienced some severe flooding in recent years. One of the dangers includes debris that’s swept through the water, including fencing that has come apart. Today, if a property is in a floodplain hazard area there are special regulations in how it needs to be constructed.
According to the Austin floodplain management program 10% of the city is in a floodplain. If your property is in that 10% fence permits are required. Also a flood plain review is required for properties within 100 feet of a 100-year floodplain.
You can save yourself the stress and worry about following the new Austin fence regulations by hiring Purple Fence Company to do the work for you. We fully understand when a building permit is required and how the current regulations apply for ornamental fences, solid fences and swimming pool fences within the city limits. And we know the various regulations that need to be followed in the surrounding communities, as well as the importance of adhering to HOA requirements.
If you need help figuring out your fence design along your property line, give us a call or connect with our team online.
