Elon Musk Faces Dispute Over High Fence with Texas Neighbors

A nearly five-meter tall chain-link fence has sparked a dispute between tech billionaire Elon Musk and his neighbors in an upscale area of Texas. Residents are seeking to compel Musk to remove the fence and a tall steel gate from his approximately six million dollar residence. Representatives for Musk have reportedly attempted to obtain retroactive permits for the structure, according to reports from the New York Times.

The chain-link fence exceeds the community's height regulations by three meters, creating tension among the residents. Initially unaware of Musk's identity, the three neighbors in the quiet cul-de-sac located in a suburb of Austin have since voiced their complaints to local authorities, citing increased traffic from Musk's staff and vehicles parking on the street.

The fence, standing three meters taller than the maximum allowed in the area with a population of around 3,400, has not garnered the necessary approval from local officials. Authorities remain hesitant to grant an exception, fearing it may encourage further violations among other residents. A city council meeting scheduled for mid-May is expected to address the issue and potentially reach a resolution.

Musk has relocated several of his enterprises, including the electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla and the social media platform X, formally known as Twitter, from California to Texas. His substantial stakes in Tesla and SpaceX have solidified his status as the world's richest individual. In recent months, Musk has also been active in Washington, advocating for cost-cutting measures under the administration of President Donald Trump.