Fence Regulations in Nashville, TN (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for Nashville, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Nashville allows privacy fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards and up to 8 feet on the side or rear of the principal structure. No building permit is currently required for fences. Front yard solid fences have specific setback and height restrictions.
Privacy Fence Regulations in Nashville
Few RestrictionsMetro Code 17.12.040 (26)(A)
Solid fences must be setback 10' from street frontage property line; Maximum height of 30" within the 10' front setback for solid fences. Maximum height of 72" for open fences such as chain link or wrought iron within the 10' front setback. Maximum 6' height for fences within the remainder of the front setback to the front of the principal structure. Maximum 8' height for fences on the side or ...
Fence Permit Requirements
Nashville does not currently require building permits for fence construction. Fences must comply with zoning height and setback requirements. Solid fences in front setbacks have specific height and distance restrictions.
Fence Permit Requirements in Nashville
Few RestrictionsMetro Code 16.04.200
Residents wanting to add a fence to a property must meet Zoning and Building Code requirements but are not required to obtain a permit at this time. There are several restrictions as to where a fence may be constructed on your property and what materials may be used. Setback Rules for Fences Fences can provide privacy and security for your home, but they can also be a visible or physical obstru...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Nashville's Metro Code has no minimum setback requirement from a neighboring property line for fences. There is no boundary fence law requiring cost-sharing. Disputes are private matters.
Nashville Neighbor Fence Rules
Few RestrictionsNashville Building Permits Central – Fence
These are general rules for Nashville. Zoning overlays or homeowners' associations may have further restrictions that you need to understand before beginning construction. An alley is not considered a street for fencing setback purposes. There is not a distance requirement for a fence from a neighboring property line. If you chose not to build at the shared property line, you will still be resp...
Retaining Walls
Metro Nashville requires retaining walls that stabilize graded slopes on multifamily hillside development to be screened with a landscape buffer yard: the zoning code sets no blanket height or permit rule for an ordinary backyard retaining wall.
Retaining Wall Screening Rules in Metro Nashville
Some RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 17.28.030(A)(3)(b)
The use of retaining walls, rip rap or hydraulically applied concrete to stabilize slopes within multifamily developments shall be screened as follows: i. When oriented towards a lot or parcel zoned R/R-A or RS/RS-A, apply the next higher landscape buffer yard standard from Section 17.24.240; ... iii. When oriented towards a public street, apply landscape buffer yard Standard B from Section 17....
Material Restrictions
Metro Nashville limits fences to specific materials, chain link, wrought iron, wood/vinyl/metal slats, masonry, treated synthetic, or decorative split rail, under the property standards code, with exceptions for certain zoning districts.
Nashville Fence Material Rules
Some RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 16.24.330(L)
Except as otherwise provided in the metropolitan zoning code, fences shall be constructed using only the following materials: 1. Woven wire or chain link; 2. Wrought iron; 3. Wood, vinyl, steel, or aluminum slats of no more than one inch by six inches in width...; 4. Masonry consisting of brick, concrete block, split-face block, dry-stack stones, or stones and mortar; 5. Plastic or other synthe...