The basics
McKinney requires a fence permit for new construction over 30 inches. Replacement of an existing fence in the same footprint, same height, same materials does NOT require a permit in most McKinney zoning districts — but corner lots and historic-district properties are exceptions.
What it costs
McKinney's residential fence permit fee is typically $50–$80 for standard applications. Historic district reviews add $30–$60 for the Historic Preservation Advisory Board check. Verify current rates via the City of McKinney building permits page.
The historic district catch
If your property is in Old East McKinney (roughly the rectangle bounded by Highway 5, Virginia Street, Lamar, and Tucker), the Historic Preservation Advisory Board reviews any exterior change visible from a public street — including fences. The board meets twice monthly. Approval requires:
- Materials specification consistent with the period architecture
- Picket-style only (no solid privacy on street frontage)
- Height limit typically 4 feet on front, 6 feet on rear (vs 8 feet outside the district)
- Stain color matched to a city-approved palette
We've worked Old East McKinney several times and have a board-approval baseline we use for our applications.
Application requirements
- Site plan with fence location, property lines, easements
- Materials and dimensions
- Gate locations
- Historic district application if applicable
- HOA approval letter (Stonebridge Ranch, Trinity Falls, etc.)
Timeline
Standard residential: 5–7 business days. Stonebridge Ranch and other HOA-heavy subdivisions: add 2–4 weeks for HOA architectural review. Historic district: add 14–21 days for the Historic Preservation Advisory Board.
McKinney-specific install considerations
McKinney clay shifts more than Plano's, particularly in the older neighborhoods east of Highway 5. We default to:
- 30-inch post depth on 6-foot fences (most cities, but more critical here)
- 36-inch post depth on 8-foot fences (instead of 30-inch we use elsewhere)
- Bagged concrete on every post — no exceptions, no "every other post" cost-cuts
- 13-gauge heavy-duty steel posts standard — not wood 4x4s
What we handle
- Site plan drawing and permit submission
- Historic district application if applicable
- HOA architectural review packet (Stonebridge Ranch, Adriatica, Trinity Falls)
- Inspector meeting at frame stage
- Re-inspect if corrections needed
Where this leads
Read more about our fence installation service, our McKinney service-area page, and the cedar-vs-pine materials guide.
Sources
City of McKinney — mckinneytexas.org. McKinney Historic Preservation Advisory Board public meeting schedule. Verify current rates and code references before relying on this guide.