DrawPermit

Tarrant County · Texas

Fort Worth site plans and permits.

Fort Worth asks for a permit for every shed, whatever its size, and for any deck more than 6 inches above grade.

Start a site planSee a sample set
Building code
2021 International Residential Code with Fort Worth amendments, in effect since April 1, 2022 (Ordinance 25383-03-2022).
Decks
A deck, platform or walk needs a permit if it is more than 6 inches above grade or sits over a basement or a story below. Where it can go depends on your zoning.
Sheds
Every shed and accessory structure needs a permit. Total accessory building area is capped by lot size: 120 sq ft on lots under 5,000 sq ft, 200 sq ft up to 9,999, 400 sq ft up to an acre, and 2% of the lot above that. One story, 10 ft tall, or 12 ft with a bigger setback.
Fences
A solid fence over 7 ft or an open wire fence over 8 ft needs a permit. Front yard fences are capped at 4 ft and must be open, picket style, with no chain link. A pool barrier must be at least 48 inches tall.
Patio covers
There's no permit exemption for patio covers. An attached cover is permitted as a residential addition. The city's pages don't mention pergolas.
Owner-drawn plans
The city's pages don't say whether owner-drawn plans are accepted. To apply yourself, you need a homestead permit: you live in the home and do the work yourself.
Engineer
Metal accessory buildings, buildings on an existing foundation, and garages over 499 sq ft tied into the house foundation must be engineered.
Setbacks
Accessory buildings meet the side and rear setbacks of your zoning district. The city's packet sets 5 ft at 10 ft tall, 7 ft at 11 ft and 9 ft at 12 ft. They can't sit in the front yard, and must be behind the rear wall of the house or at least 75 ft from the front property line.
Fees
Every permit carries a $33.08 application fee and a $16.87 technology fee (schedule effective October 1, 2026). New square footage is charged by area, and work without square footage starts at $119 for one trade.
Where to apply
Accela Citizen Access, Fort Worth's permit portal

What Fort Worth asks the site plan to show.

  • Front, side and rear setbacks, plus your neighbors' front setbacks, with dimensions
  • Lot lines and easements, with dimensions
  • North arrow and scale
  • New and existing structures, to scale
  • Distances from the lot lines
  • Street grades and finished grades
  • Flood hazard areas, where they apply
  • Drawn from an accurate boundary survey

Your DrawPermit site plan draws the lot lines, north arrow, scale, structures, setbacks, distances to each line and impervious cover. Add utility lines, meters and trees by hand if your city asks for them.

Worth knowing.

  • A shed permit also needs a certified copy of your recorded plat.
  • An older city handout puts the fence permit line at 6 ft, not 7. If yours is close, ask the city.
  • Historic and design districts need extra approval before the permit, fences included.
  • Starting work before the permit can double the fee.

Checked against the city's own pages on November 2, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with Fort Worth before you submit.