San Antonio Neighborhood Feud Over Fence Height Lands in HBO Series

The 'Neighbors' docuseries explores the conflict between a homeowner and neighbors over a tall fence.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A homeowner in San Antonio's Oak Park-Northwood neighborhood tried to build a fence at least seven feet tall in 2024, ignoring the city's three-foot height limit for front-yard fences. This sparked outrage among neighbors who argued the structure was more of a wall than a fence. After the homeowner sued the city seeking an exception, the angry majority eventually won out, and the fence height was decreased to comply with local code. This neighborhood feud is now the subject of an episode in the new HBO docuseries 'Neighbors', which explores conflicts between neighbors over everything from minor grievances to all-consuming feuds.

Why it matters

The San Antonio fence dispute highlights the tensions that can arise between neighbors over property boundaries and local ordinances. It also showcases how minor disagreements can escalate into full-blown legal battles, with both sides willing to go to extreme lengths to defend what they see as their rights. The fact that this story is being featured in a high-profile HBO docuseries also speaks to the broader public interest in these types of neighborhood dramas.

The details

In 2024, a homeowner in San Antonio's Oak Park-Northwood neighborhood attempted to build a fence at least seven feet tall, disregarding the city's three-foot height limit for front-yard fences. This prompted outrage from neighbors, some of whom argued the structure was more akin to a wall than a traditional fence. After the homeowner sued the city seeking an exception to the ordinance and later sued again to argue the front of the home was a 'courtyard' not a front yard, the angry majority eventually prevailed. The homeowner was forced to decrease the fence height to comply with the local code.

  • In 2024, the homeowner tried to build a fence at least seven feet tall.
  • In 2024, the homeowner sued the city seeking an exception to the three-foot fence height ordinance.
  • The homeowner later sued again to argue the front of the home was a 'courtyard' not a front yard.

The players

Oak Park-Northwood Neighborhood

A residential area on the North Side of San Antonio, Texas where the fence dispute took place.

Homeowner

A homeowner in the Oak Park-Northwood neighborhood who tried to build a fence taller than the city's three-foot height limit for front yards.

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What’s next

The docuseries 'Neighbors' featuring the San Antonio fence dispute is set to premiere on HBO.

The takeaway

The San Antonio fence feud highlights how even minor neighborhood disputes over property boundaries and local ordinances can escalate into full-blown legal battles, with both sides willing to go to great lengths to defend what they see as their rights. This story's inclusion in the new HBO docuseries 'Neighbors' speaks to the broader public fascination with these types of neighborhood dramas.