Fence Regulations in Shelby County, TN (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In unincorporated Shelby County the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code caps front-yard fences at four feet, with decorative metal permitted up to eight feet, and side or rear fences at nine feet in required setbacks.
Fence Height Limits in Shelby County
Some RestrictionsMemphis & Shelby County UDC Sub-Section 4.6.7C
No fence or wall may exceed four feet in height between the front facade of any single-family residence and a public right-of-way or private street... Wrought iron or other decorative metal fencing may be up to eight feet in height in the front yard.
Fence Permit Requirements
In unincorporated Shelby County fences must comply with the Unified Development Code and are reviewed by the Division of Planning and Development through the Develop901 portal; larger or nonconforming fences may require an administrative deviation.
Fence Permits in Shelby County
Some RestrictionsMemphis & Shelby County UDC Sub-Section 4.6.7F
The Planning Director may permit additional fence material, alternate fence design, additional fence height, or reduced setback through the administrative deviation if it is determined that such allowance is not contrary to the public interest and will not be injurious to the surrounding neighborhood.
Neighbor Fence Rules
The Unified Development Code sets fence heights and materials but not private cost-sharing; in unincorporated Shelby County boundary-fence disputes and shared costs fall under Tennessee partition-fence law and property lines rather than the county code.
Shelby County Fence Neighbor and Boundary Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis & Shelby County UDC Sub-Section 4.6.7E(6)
Fencing Facing Public Streets. Any side of fencing with exposed posts and rails shall not face public streets in the residential and open zoning districts.
Retaining Walls
The Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code exempts retaining walls from the fence height and setback provisions of Section 4.6.7, so retaining walls in unincorporated Shelby County are not limited by the fence-height rules.
Retaining Walls in Shelby County
Few RestrictionsMemphis & Shelby County UDC Sub-Section 4.6.7A
Retaining Walls. Retaining walls are exempt from the following provisions.
Material Restrictions
The Unified Development Code requires fences in unincorporated Shelby County to use high-quality materials such as decorative block, brick, stone, masonry, stucco, treated wood, and wrought iron, with coated chain link allowed only where permitted.
Approved Fence Materials in Shelby County
Few RestrictionsMemphis & Shelby County UDC Sub-Section 4.6.7E(1)
Fences and walls must be constructed of high quality materials, such as decorative blocks, brick, stone, masonry panels, stucco, treated wood and wrought iron; and, where permitted, vinyl-coated chain link.
Fence Regulations by City in Shelby County
1 cities in Shelby County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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