Dumas, the Moore County seat about 50 miles north of Amarillo, has its own fence rules, separate from Amarillo's. The City of Dumas asks for a permit for most fence work and has a specific rule about fences near streets, alleys and city utilities. Here is a plain-English summary with links to the city's own pages.
Do you need a permit?
Usually, yes. The City of Dumas lists building and replacing a fence among the jobs that need a permit. Repairing a fence does not need one if the repair is under an 8-foot section or you are just replacing a few pickets. The same city page asks you to bring the permit with you when you haul construction debris to the city landfill, so keep it handy if the old fence is going there.
That is a stricter starting point than Amarillo, where most residential fences 8 feet or shorter need no permit (see Amarillo fence permits). If you are replacing a fence in Dumas, plan on a permit.
Fences near streets, alleys and utilities
Section 8.01.003 of the Dumas Code of Ordinances makes it unlawful, without a permit, to build, rebuild, alter or repair a fence, wall, hedge or other structure:
- over, on or across public property, an alley, a street, a sidewalk or a park;
- between the property line of a lot and a public street or alley line; or
- in a way that blocks access to city utility equipment or property.
A violation is a misdemeanor, and the code says the owner or occupant and the builder or contractor can each be cited. If a fence blocks access to city utility equipment, the city can give 72 hours' notice to clear it and then remove it at the owner's cost, or remove it immediately if the fire marshal considers it an emergency. In practice: know where your property line is, keep gates and access to meters and utility equipment clear, and ask before building anything close to the street or alley.
Height, setbacks and materials
Dumas has a Fences article in its code of ordinances (Article 3.08), and the Building Department publishes a residential property line setbacks sheet and an ordinance on construction in the right-of-way (Ordinance 1180) on its permits page. We have not summarized height or material limits here because we could not confirm their current text, so ask the Building Department what applies to your lot and zoning district before you settle on a height or material. HOA covenants or deed restrictions, if any, can also be stricter than the city.
Before you build
- Call the City of Dumas Building Department at (806) 934-7101 (the number on the city's building permits page) to get the permit and confirm the rules for your lot.
- Call 811 before setting posts; Texas law requires it before digging.
- 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 Dumas city limits, the city's rules may not apply, so ask Moore County what does.
What to ask a fence company
Ask whether they will pull the Dumas permit or whether you should, 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 Canyon's fence rules or Hereford's fence rules.
Where we fit in
This site is a free referral service, not a fence company. Requests from Dumas 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 Dumas: What do you need a permit for?
- Dumas Code of Ordinances § 8.01.003: Obstruction of street or other public property by fence, hedge or other structure
- City of Dumas: Building Permits and Inspections (setbacks, Ordinance 1180 on construction in the right-of-way)
- City of Dumas Code of Ordinances (Article 3.08, Fences)
- Texas811: Homeowner / DIYer
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Related: Wood privacy fences · Chain link fences · Fence repair · All guides