Fence Regulations in Sumner County, TN (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Sumner County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Sumner County caps residential fences at 8 feet in side, rear, and even transparent front yards, while commercial and industrial fences can rise to 15 feet, dropping to 6 feet between a building and the street. Tennis court fencing tops out at 12 feet and baseball backstops at 16 feet, all measured from finished grade, not from atop a berm.
Sumner County Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSumner County Zoning Resolution § 1101(B)(1)
1. In any residential district, no fence or wall shall exceed eight (8) feet in height in side and rear yards. Fences in front yards may be eight (8) feet in height provided that fences within the required front yard (i.e. front setback) be of transparent construction (i.e. split rail, picket, chain link, etc.). Tennis court fencing shall not exceed twelve (12) feet, and baseball backstops shal...
Retaining Walls
Any retaining wall over 4 feet tall in unincorporated Sumner County needs engineered plans sealed by a Tennessee professional engineer before it can go up. Walls must be built from durable stone, concrete, or other inorganic material: wood, including railroad crossties, is banned outright, and the County Engineer maintains added technical requirements.
Sumner County Retaining Wall Rules
Some RestrictionsSumner County Zoning Resolution § 1101(B)(13)
13. Plans for all retaining walls over four (4) feet in height shall be designed and sealed by a Tennessee Professional Engineer. Retaining walls shall be constructed of durable stone, concrete, or other inorganic, non-decomposable materials. Wooden materials, to include railroad crossties, are prohibited. The County En...
Material Restrictions
Sumner County bans barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing on residential property, along with flammable fencing like cloth or canvas, solid plywood or scrap-lumber fences, and unfinished cinderblock or concrete block walls. Agricultural livestock enclosures and government-erected security fencing are the main exceptions to the barbed-wire and electric-current bans.
Sumner County Prohibited Fence Materials
Significant RestrictionsSumner County Zoning Resolution § 1101(B)(4)
4. Prohibited Fences. The following types of fences are prohibited: a. Fences constructed primarily or topped with barbed wire or razor wire, or deployed, raised, arranged or expanded in concertina form, except when used in conjunction with an agricultural use or purpose, non-residentially zoned property or uses, and/or serving a public institution for public safety or special services. b. Fenc...
Fence Regulations by City in Sumner County
1 cities in Sumner County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Sumner County ordinances
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