What Is Fence Permit?
A fence permit serves as formal authorization from your city or county that you can install fences on your property following the state or county rules. This approval ensures compliance with zoning laws and prevents obstruction of public spaces or encroachment on neighboring land. Where required, the permits are must to have. Before you start digging post holes, it’s good to know about the rules. Fence laws can get tricky, but understanding them protects you from future headaches like neighbor conflicts or code violations. Fence installation rules includes property boundaries, height limits, materials, and what happens if a dispute arises. A fence permit must be secured before constructing any fence or wall on a property in many states. Applicants are required to ensure compliance with all County laws and must receive HOA authorization, when applicable, before submitting a permit application.
The following definitions may apply:
- Site Plan: A scaled illustration detailing the proposed fence or wall’s height, materials, proximity to lot boundaries, adjacent structures, and easements.
- Fence: A physical barrier erected to define boundaries, manage entry, or contain a designated area.
Do All States in the US Require a Fence Permit?
You don’t need a fence permit everywhere – it really depends on where you live. Some states or cities require one, while others don’t. To be safe, check your local fence rules first.
Does Nashville Require a Permit to Build a Fence?
As of now, for most residential properties you do not need a permit to build a fence in Nashville, unless your property lies in a historic preservation district (or similar overlay) or the fence is especially unusual. But you must follow the zoning and building‐code fence rules (height, setbacks, materials, orientation, visibility on corner lots, etc.). If, in the future or for special cases, a permit becomes required, the cost would follow the usual Metro Nashville building permit formula (zoning exam + valuation fee + tech fee + plan review). For the rules and information about fence permit if apply for your property you need to check https://www.nashville.gov/departments/codes/construction-and-permits/building-permits-central/fence
Is a Fence Permit Required in the State of Tennessee?
Although Tennessee state law does not mandate building permits for fences, local governments and homeowners’ associations (HOAs) often have their own regulations. It’s important to check with your local municipality and HOA to confirm the specific rules that apply to your property. Violating HOA fence guidelines can even lead to a lien placed on your property. Tennessee’s building codes typically cover fence height, setback requirements, approved materials, and design standards. In most cities, fences are limited to six to eight feet in height, with setbacks often required especially for front yard fences. Certain materials, such as barbed wire or electric fences, are restricted in non-agricultural areas. Non-farm property owners are liable for any damage caused by their fences and must comply with city or county ordinances. Additionally, some neighborhoods prohibit specific designs for example, chain link fences – so always verify local or HOA standards before construction.
Fence laws in Tennessee come from two sources – state law and local ordinances. That means what’s allowed in one county might differ in another, so it’s important to check both before building.
Here’s what some common terms mean:
- Boundary fence: The fence separating your property from your neighbor’s.
- Partition fence: A divider within your own land.
- Property line: Where your property officially begins and ends.
- Lien: A legal hold on property until a debt is paid off.
- Easement: The right for someone else to use part of your property for a certain reason, like installing utilities.
If your fence sits on the property line in Tennessee, you and your neighbor share the bill. Both of you must help pay for construction and repairs. When one person refuses, the other can recover the cost through legal means and even file a lien until the debt is cleared. There’s also something called an easement, which lets someone legally use another’s property for access. Say your neighbor has the right to use your driveway – you can’t put up a fence that blocks it. Easements protect shared access and help prevent boundary disputes.
What Are the Standard Fence Requirements in Nashville?
Nashville has clear rules for fences. If you’re building in the front yard, solid fences can only be 30 inches high, while open ones like chain link can go up to 72 inches. Fences in side and back yards can reach eight feet. You’ll need to leave a 10-foot setback from the front property line, and corner lots may have extra visibility restrictions. While the state doesn’t demand building permits, Nashville requires one for fences taller than three feet available at the Metro Planning Department. There are no material limits, but your fence must be properly maintained. To stay compliant, check with your local zoning authority or a professional builder before you start.
How Much Do Fence Permits Typically Cost?
Permit fees for more common projects such as remodels, additions, decks, sheds and fences range in cost between $25 to $150. Fees for general remodeling and additions are charged according to the effected square footage of the altered area of construction project, plus plan review fees. The fee for the fence permit is usually no more than $150.
How Much Do Fence Permits Cost in Nashville?
If you’re planning to put up a fence in Nashville, good news, you usually don’t need a permit. The city just asks that you follow a few guidelines:
- Solid fences need to be 10 feet back from the street.
- In that area, they can only be 2.5 feet tall, but open fences (like chain link) can be 6 feet high.
- Closer to your home, 6-foot fences are allowed, and 8-foot fences are fine in the back or sides.
- The “ugly side” of your fence should face your yard.
- If you’re on a corner, keep sight lines clear for drivers – no blocking views within 35 feet of the corner.
There was talk of making fence permits mandatory, but that plan didn’t pass. Unless you live in a historic district, you’re free to build without a permit.
So, as you don’t require permit for fences in Nashville you don’t need to pay any cost for it.
Nashville’s current rules for fences
Residents are not required to obtain a permit for a fence at this time. Nashville.gov
But your fence must comply with zoning and building code requirements (setbacks, height limits, materials, orientation, etc.). Nashville.gov
Some key rules include:
• Solid fences must be set back 10 feet from street frontage property lines. Nashville.gov
• Within that 10 ft front setback:
– Solid fences max height 30″ (2.5 ft) Nashville.gov
– Open fences (e.g. chain link, wrought iron) max height 72″ (6 ft) Nashville.gov
• In the rest of the front setback (beyond the 10 ft zone but before the house): max height of 6′ (for fences) Nashville.gov
• On side or rear yards: fences may go up to 8′ tall. Nashville.gov
• Cross beams / bracing must face inward toward your property, not outward. Nashville.gov
• Corner lots: there is a “35′ visibility zone” (i.e. you can’t block sight lines) where fences are restricted. Nashville.gov
There was a proposed ordinance (BL2024-293) that would have required a fence permit for all fences (or changes to them) and regulation in floodplains/floodways, but that bill was withdrawn (not adopted).
Because that proposed legislation is not active, the “no permit required” status remains current for most fence work. Nashville.gov
One more nuance: in Historic Preservation Districts or Historic Landmark Overlays, the rules may differ; in those zones a permit for a fence might be needed.
Why Choose Big Jerry’s Fencing for Your Nashville Fence Installation?
When it comes to fence installation in Nashville, Big Jerry’s Fencing leads with trust, precision, and results. We combine top-tier materials with expert workmanship to create fences that not only define property lines — they define value. Our clients love our transparent quotes, quick turnaround times, and professional crews who get the job done right the first time. Whether residential or commercial, Big Jerry’s means quality you can see and reliability you can count on.
We’ve been building fences in Nashville and beyond for years, and one thing we’ve learned? Sometimes the toughest part isn’t the installation – it’s the paperwork. At Big Jerry’s Fencing, we’ve got your back. While our main focus is on fence installation, we can also help with permits and HOA requirements for a small added fee. Our goal is to make your experience smooth, stress-free, and simple.
To sum it up – fence permits are usually required, but not always. Some less-regulated or rural zones may allow certain fences without a permit. Always check with your local government office to be sure. This information is provided as a simple guide only and may contain errors or outdated details, as it is not an official guide on fence permits and costs. For official information, visit the Nashville government website.
Whether you need a new fence installed in Nashville, help with permits paperwork, or just expert advice – Big Jerry’s Fencing Nashville has you covered!
