Borger, in Hutchinson County northeast of Amarillo, adopted a Unified Land Development Ordinance (ULDO) in 2022 that spells out its residential fence rules. They cover height near the street, corner lots, how a tall fence steps down, and which materials are not allowed. Here is a plain-English summary with links to the city's own pages.
Do you need a permit?
Check before you build. The City of Borger's "When are Permits Required?" page lists "Fences over 7 Feet" among the projects that need a building permit, and says residential projects such as fences need a site plan with the permit application. The same page opens by saying fences generally need a permit, so call Planning and Development to confirm what applies to your fence before you start.
The page also says the city requires all contractors to register before doing any work inside city limits, and Borger handles permits, inspections and contractor registration online through its MyGov system. A fence company working in Borger should already be registered, so it is a fair first question to ask.
How tall can the fence be?
Subsection 14.01.305(e) of the ULDO applies to residentially zoned or used properties (apartments excluded). Fences and walls are allowed in required setbacks, with these height limits:
- In a required street setback or exterior side setback: 42 inches (3.5 feet) maximum.
- Everywhere else on a residential lot: 8 feet maximum.
Where a fence crosses a street or exterior side setback line, the code asks for a five-foot transition area between the 8-foot and 3.5-foot sections, centered on the setback line. In older subdivisions without platted building setback lines, a 20-foot setback is used for this rule.
Corner lots
On corner lots, fences and walls that are more than 50 percent solid (opaque) may not go into the street setback or exterior side setback. A fence built parallel to and outside the exterior side setback can be up to 8 feet tall with no openness requirement. If your lot is on a corner, measure the setbacks before you decide between a solid privacy fence and a more open style near the street.
Materials Borger does not allow
The ULDO prohibits these fence materials on residential properties:
- Barbed, razor or electric wire (barbed wire is allowed only in limited cases, such as agricultural or grazing land, and electric fencing only on agricultural or grazing property, never next to or in a residential district)
- Corrugated metal (in residential zoning districts)
- Used lumber
- Fiberglass, unless it gets one coat of primer and two coats of neutral paint
- Used or salvage materials, unless noted on the plans and approved by the Building Official
That rules out a few budget options people sometimes consider, so mention the material up front when you get quotes.
Before you build
- Call the City of Borger Planning and Development Department at (806) 273-0910 (the number on the city's permits page) to confirm permit needs and setbacks for your lot.
- Call 811 before setting posts; Texas law requires it before digging.
- Check HOA covenants or deed restrictions, which can be stricter than the city.
- If the fence runs along a neighbor's line, settle it with them first. See who pays for a fence between neighbors.
- If your property is outside Borger city limits, ask Hutchinson County what applies.
What to ask a fence company
Ask whether they are registered with the City of Borger, who handles any permit and site plan, how they will step the fence down to 42 inches at the street setback, who places the 811 request, and what posts and spacing they use for Panhandle wind (see building a fence that stands up to the wind). Our hiring checklist covers the rest. Building elsewhere nearby? See Pampa, Dumas or Amarillo.
Where we fit in
This site is a free referral service, not a fence company. Requests from Borger are welcome: if you send a request, we pass it to one independent local fence contractor, who confirms they serve your address, looks at the property and quotes you directly.
General information only, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency linked below or a licensed professional before you start work.
Sources
- City of Borger Code, Subsection 14.01.305(e) Residential Fences and Walls (ULDO, Ord. O-006-22)
- City of Borger: When are Permits Required?
- City of Borger: Permits, Building Inspections & Code Information
- Texas811: Homeowner / DIYer
Last reviewed: October 2026.
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