Chattanooga, TN Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Corner sight-triangle height
- 3 feet maximum
- Sight-triangle distance
- 25 feet from curb line
- Non-corner fence height
- set by Building Code
- Governing sections
- §§ 32-34, 38-51(d)
Summary
Chattanooga caps fences, hedges, and other obstructions at 3 feet for 25 feet back from the curb at every street intersection, and lets the Transportation Department extend that sight-triangle distance under its adopted street design standards.
It shall be unlawful for the owner or occupant of any lot at any street intersection in the city to maintain any hedge, fence, shrubbery or other obstruction more than three (3) feet in height for a distance of twenty-five (25) feet back from the curb line or edge of pavement if there is no curb at such street intersection or at such distance required by the Transportation Department using adopted street design standards, and any owner or occupant of a lot at such an intersection having a fence, hedge, shrubbery or other obstruction more than three (3) feet in height shall remove the same or reduce the height thereof to not more than three (3) feet for a distance of twenty-five (25) feet back from the curb line or edge of pavement if there is no curb or at such distance required by the Transportation Department using adopted street design standards; provided that, the provisions of this section shall not apply to or affect buildings constructed on lots at street intersections.
(Code 1986, § 32-34; Ord. No. 12824, § 1, 3-25-14)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 32-34 sets the City's corner-lot sight triangle: no fence, hedge, shrubbery, or other obstruction over three feet tall is allowed within 25 feet of the curb line (or pavement edge where there's no curb) at a street intersection, and the Transportation Department can require a longer clearance under its adopted street design standards. Away from corners, the Zoning Code doesn't set a fence height number at all. Sec. 38-51(d) permits fences and walls to be built on the lot line and hands height off to the City's adopted Building Code instead of a zoning limit.
Violations & Fines
An owner who doesn't cut a corner obstruction to 3 feet within the 25-foot sight triangle after notice must remove it or lower it, or the City can act under Sec. 32-34 to restore intersection visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a fence be on a corner lot in Chattanooga?
Is there a citywide fence height limit for interior lots?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
How Chattanooga compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Chattanooga to another location·View the Tennessee fence regulations overview
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