How Memphis Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide
Memphis maintains 129 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Memphis falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Height Limits
In Memphis's Central Business Improvement District, fences and walls taller than four feet cannot be built within 30 feet of a public street right-of-way, except ornamental iron or brick walls. A construction-period exception lets taller temporary fencing go up shortly before and during building work.
Key details: Governing section: Memphis Code § 12-40-7.A. Height cap near ROW: 4 feet within 30 ft of street ROW. Exempt materials: Ornamental iron or brick walls. Construction exception: 10 days pre-construction to C.O. issuance. District covered: Central Business Improvement District.
Erecting a fence or wall taller than four feet within 30 feet of a public street right-of-way in the CBID, outside the construction-period exception, violates Section 12-40-7.A. Ornamental iron and brick walls are exempt from the height cap; all other materials taller than four feet in that zone are noncompliant and subject to the CBID's design review enforcement process.
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls in Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County are carved out of the Unified Development Code's fence and wall standards entirely. Sub-Section 4.6.7.A exempts them from the front-yard height cap, the nine-foot general fence-height limit and the material restrictions that apply to ordinary fences and walls, so a retaining wall's height and construction are not capped by this chapter.
Key details: Exempt provision: UDC Sub-Section 4.6.7.A. General fence cap (non-exempt): 9 feet. Front-yard fence cap (non-exempt): 4 feet, 8 with wrought iron. Jurisdiction: Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County. Also exempt: Temporary construction fencing under 18 months.
Sub-Section 4.6.7 carries no fine schedule of its own; it is a general development standard enforced through the zoning administrator's site-plan and permitting process rather than a citation-based fence code. Because retaining walls are expressly exempt from the chapter's height and material limits, a wall builder cannot be cited under 4.6.7 for exceeding the nine-foot or four-foot caps that apply to ordinary fences.
The rules around retaining walls in Memphis lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Material Restrictions
Within Memphis's Central Business Improvement District, no fence may be built with razor wire, ribbon wire, concertina wire, or similar coiled wire, and no fence can cantilever beyond the property line. Downtown parking lot fences are further restricted to ornamental iron, brick or masonry.
Key details: Governing section: Memphis Code § 12-40-7.B. Banned materials: Razor, ribbon, concertina wire. District covered: Central Business Improvement District. Parking lot fences: Ornamental iron/brick only (§ 12-40-6). Chain-link: Expressly prohibited for CBID lots.
Constructing a fence with razor wire, ribbon wire, concertina wire, or similar coiled wire within the CBID violates Section 12-40-7.B; a chain-link or cyclone parking lot fence within the district violates Section 12-40-6. Both are enforced through the CBID design review committee's approval process, which can withhold or revoke fence approval for noncompliant material.
Compared to other cities, Memphis takes a harder line on material restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
The Bottom Line
Memphis's fence regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Memphis is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Memphis can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.