Hereford has its own fence rules, separate from Amarillo's. They are spread across the City of Hereford's zoning ordinance and its code of ordinances: a front-yard rule that keeps fences low enough not to block the view, a ban on electric fences inside the city, and the building code the city has adopted. Here is a plain-English summary with links to the city's documents.
Do you need a permit?
Hereford's Building & Zoning Department reviews plans, issues permits and inspects construction inside the city limits, so it is the office to ask. The city's code of ordinances doesn't have a separate fence-permit section. It adopts the 2018 International Residential Code (§ 3.08.001), and the model 2018 code lists fences not over 7 feet high among the work exempt from a building permit (sec. R105.2). Hereford's published amendments don't change that section, but confirm with Building & Zoning before you build, especially for a fence taller than 7 feet or a commercial project.
Not needing a permit doesn't mean anything goes. The front-yard and electric-fence rules below still apply.
Height and location
- Front yards. On any lot that must have a front yard, no fence may be built in the required front yard in a way that blocks the view. The zoning ordinance treats any fence higher than a sloping line as an obstruction: the line starts 2½ feet above walk grade at the sidewalk and rises to 4½ feet above walk grade at the back of the required front yard. In practice that means a low fence near the sidewalk and no taller than 4½ feet anywhere in the required front yard.
- How deep the front yard is. In the R-1, R-2, TH, MF and MH districts the required front yard is at least 25 feet deep, measured from the front property line (on a block that is at least half built up, it need not be deeper than the average of the existing buildings). In the C-1, C-2 and C-3 districts it is at least 20 feet, and corner lots there need a front yard on each street unless the property is used for dwellings.
- Behind the front yard. The zoning ordinance doesn't set a separate height limit for side and back yard fences. Ask Building & Zoning what applies to your lot before going above 7 feet.
- Property lines. Confirm where your property line is before posts go in, so the fence doesn't end up on a neighbor's lot or on public property.
Materials
- Electric fences are prohibited in the city. Hereford's code makes it unlawful to build or keep any fence that carries an electrical charge, or to connect a fence to a source of electricity.
- Wrecking, junk and repair yards have their own screening-fence rules in the city code. Ask Building & Zoning if your project is for a business.
- We found no rule in the city code or zoning ordinance that bans chain link, wood, vinyl or pipe fence. HOA covenants or deed restrictions may limit materials.
Before you build
- Call Hereford City Hall, which houses Building & Zoning, at 806-363-7100 (the number on the city's Building & Zoning page), or email info@herefordtexas.gov, to confirm the rules for your lot and zoning district.
- Check your HOA covenants or deed restrictions, if any. They can be stricter than the city.
- Call 811 before setting posts; Texas law requires it before digging.
- If your property is outside Hereford's city limits, the city's zoning rules may not apply, so ask Deaf Smith County what does.
What to ask a fence company
Ask whether they've built fences in Hereford before and know the front-yard view rule, 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 closer to Amarillo? See Amarillo's fence permit rules or Canyon's fence rules.
Where we fit in
This site is a free referral service, not a fence company. Requests from Hereford 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 Hereford Zoning Ordinance (sec. XX Front Yard Regulations; sec. XXIV Prohibiting Obstruction of View on Lot Boundaries)
- Hereford Code of Ordinances § 3.01.001: Electrically charged fences or other structures prohibited
- Hereford Code of Ordinances (§ 3.08.001 adopts the 2018 International Residential Code; § 14.01.001 keeps the separate zoning ordinance in force)
- International Code Council: 2018 International Residential Code, Chapter 1 (sec. R105.2 Work exempt from permit)
- City of Hereford: Building & Zoning
- Texas811: Homeowner / DIYer
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Related: Wood privacy fences · Chain link fences · Pipe & ranch fences · All guides