7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Hamilton County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
In Chattanooga, fence height is set by the Building Code, not the zoning ordinance. A building permit is generally required only for fences over 7 feet tall. Unincorporated Hamilton County follows its own Zoning Regulations via the Regional Planning Agency.
Chattanooga City Code Sec. 38-51(d)(2)
Fence and wall height are regulated by the Building Code.
Chattanooga's zoning ordinance sends fence height to the Building Code. Under that code a building permit is generally required only when a fence exceeds 7 feet in height; shorter residential fences typically need no building permit but must still meet placement and sight-visibility rules.
Chattanooga City Code Sec. 38-51(d)(2)
Fence and wall height are regulated by the Building Code.
Chattanooga zoning allows fences and walls to be built directly on the lot line, so a boundary fence between neighbors is permitted. The fence must still stay on your own property and out of easements and rights-of-way.
Chattanooga City Code Sec. 38-51(d)(1)
Fences and walls are permitted to be constructed on a lot line.
Chattanooga zoning regulates retaining walls through the Building Code rather than the zoning ordinance. A structural retaining wall typically needs a building permit and engineering, especially above modest heights, and cannot sit inside a utility easement without approval.
Chattanooga City Code Sec. 38-51(d)(3)
Retaining walls are regulated by the Building Code.
Chattanooga's zoning ordinance keeps fence requirements simple: fences and walls may be built on the lot line, and their height is governed by the Building Code. Fences must also stay clear of easements and meet corner sight-visibility rules.
Chattanooga City Code Sec. 38-51(d)
Fences and walls are permitted to be constructed on a lot line. Fence and wall height are regulated by the Building Code.
Chattanooga's zoning ordinance does not list prohibited fence materials for typical residential fences, but any fence at a street intersection must comply with the City Code's sight-visibility rules. The Building Code governs structural aspects of fence construction.
Chattanooga City Code Sec. 38-46(e)
All hedges, fences, shrubs, or other obstructions located at street intersections must comply with the sight visibility requirements of Section 32-34 of the City Code.
Standard fence materials (wood, vinyl, chain-link, masonry) are allowed in Chattanooga; the zoning ordinance sets no general material list. The main constraint is corner sight-visibility, and structural walls follow the Building Code.
Chattanooga City Code Sec. 38-51(d)(1)
Fences and walls are permitted to be constructed on a lot line.
1 cities in Hamilton County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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