How Much of Your Yard Is the City’s?

Oct 28, 2025 5:05 PM

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If you’ve noticed utility crews digging near your sidewalk or trimming trees close to the curb, you’re not alone.

Many Benbrook residents are surprised to learn that a portion of their yard is likely part of a city or utility easement—an area reserved for public infrastructure like power, gas, water, and cable lines.

In most residential areas across Texas, including Benbrook, these easements typically extend 8 to 10 feet from the sidewalk or curb into what appears to be your lawn. The exact distance, however, varies by property and can only be confirmed by checking your property survey, usually provided when you purchased your home.

Under Texas Utility Code regulations, utility companies have the legal right to enter these easements to install, maintain, or repair lines and equipment. They are also responsible for restoring any disturbed areas, though homeowners are encouraged to plant with care—avoiding deep-rooted trees or permanent structures in these zones.

For many properties, the front yard easement can range from 10 to 25 feet, while backyards often include a 5-foot easement along the property line. These boundaries are recorded with Tarrant County’s real property records and stay with the land, meaning they apply to all future owners.

.To check the specific easement on your property, review your survey plat or contact Benbrook City Hall or Tarrant County Clerk’s Office for assistance. For additional details, residents can reference the City of Benbrook’s Code of Ordinances at library.municode.com/tx/benbrook.