Fence Regulations in Memphis, TN (2026)
3 verified fence regulations for Memphis, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Memphis Limits Fence Height Near Downtown Streets
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances § 12-40-7.A
Sec. 12-40-7. - Fences and walls. In addition to the requirements of the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code, included herein as title 15, the following regulations shall apply within the CBID boundaries set out in section 12-32-2(B): A. Fences and walls greater than four feet in height, except ornamental iron or brick walls, shall not be permitted within 30 feet of any public st...
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.
Memphis Retaining Walls Exempt From Fence Code
Light RestrictionsMemphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code § 4.6.7.A, D
A. Retaining Walls. Retaining walls are exempt from the following provisions.B. Temporary Construction Fencing. Temporary construction fencing around an active construction site that is removed within eighteen months of installation is exempt from the following provisions.C. Front Yard Fencing. No fence or wall may exceed four feet in height between the front facade of any single-family residen...
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.
Memphis Bans Razor Wire Fencing Downtown
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances § 12-40-7.B
Sec. 12-40-7. - Fences and walls. In addition to the requirements of the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code, included herein as title 15, the following regulations shall apply within the CBID boundaries set out in section 12-32-2(B): ... B. In no event shall any fence be constructed with the application of razor wire, ribbon wire, concertina wire or similar elliptical or coiled ...
Looking for Shelby County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Memphis city rules.
Fence Regulations in Shelby County →