# Allen fence planning checklist

> A printable one-page fence planning checklist for Allen, TX: the property line, City rules, HOA and Texas811 steps, your fence plan and what to compare in quotes.

URL: https://garthallenfencebuilders.com/resources/

## What the checklist covers

Each box below is on the printed page. No email or phone number is needed to download it.

### Where the fence goes

An old fence does not prove where the property line is. Settle the line first.

- Find the corner pins or the lot dimensions on your survey or plat. If the line is unclear, a surveyor sets it before layout.
- Keep the fence on your own property; Allen does not allow it past the property line.
- In the 3 ft lot-line drainage easement, plan the bottom of the fence at least 3 in above finished grade.
- No fence in a floodplain. A fence in any other easement needs the Engineering Department's permission.
- Corner or alley lot: keep 20 ft of clear vision back from the projected curb line where an alley meets a street, and sight distance at street intersections.

### The City of Allen rules

From the City of Allen Residential Fence Guideline and fee schedule.

- Permit required for a new or replacement fence, with a flat City fee, filed through the City's online portal, with inspections.
- Back and side yards: up to 8 ft, measured from adjacent grade. On a retaining wall, fence up to 8 ft and wall plus fence up to 12 ft.
- Accepted materials: brick, wood and wrought iron. Vinyl, chain link and other materials need the Building Official's approval.
- Metal posts on all fencing, with metal caps and hardware, set at least 18 in deep in concrete.
- Pool or hot tub: enclosure at least 4 ft, self-closing and self-latching gates, latch on the pool side at least 4.5 ft up.
- Sliding gate across an alley driveway: one of the City's two trash-bin pickup layouts, named in the permit application.

Read the source: the [City of Allen Residential Fence Guideline](https://www.cityofallen.org/Images/Documents/Departments/Community%20Development/Building%20and%20Permitting/Residential%20Services/Forms/Other%20permit%20forms/Residential%20Fence%20Guideline%20(1).pdf) and the City's [residential permit page](https://www.cityofallen.org/departments/community_development/building_and_permitting/residential_services/index.php).

### Before the permit and the first hole

Each step has its own lead time, so start them early.

- HOA: check its fence rules and get approval before the City permit is applied for.
- Neighbor: talk through a fence on a shared line before work starts.
- Texas811: have utilities located before any digging.
- Contractor: every contractor working in Allen registers with the City each year.

### Your fence plan

Fill this in before asking for quotes, so every quote prices the same job.

- Total length (ft): ___; Height: 4 / 6 / 8 ft
- Style: cedar board-on-board / side-by-side / cap and trim / iron or steel / other
- Gates: walk ___; double drive ___; automatic: yes / no
- Old fence to remove: yes / no; Stain: yes / no
- Slope, corner lot, easement, pool: note which
- HOA: yes / no; Shared with a neighbor: yes / no

### Comparing quotes

Two quotes for the same yard often describe different work. Line them up item by item.

- Footage, height and style, and the post size, spacing and footing depth.
- Number, width and hardware of each gate.
- Tear-out and haul-away of the old fence and its concrete.
- Who pulls the permit, handles the HOA paperwork and calls Texas811.
- Cleanup, and how sprinklers and lawn along the line are restored.