Franklin, TN Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Franklin Zoning Ordinance Chapter 13, Section 13.1.2 (Fence and wall locations and heights) establishes the dimensional limits: Front Yard - 3 feet, but may be 4.5 feet for board horse fencing; Front Yard at Corner Lots - 7 feet for residential uses and the OR (Office Residential) district, 8 feet for nonresidential and mixed-use districts; Side/Rear Yard - 7 feet for residential uses and the OR district, 8 feet for nonresidential and mixed-use districts; Open Space Frontage - 3 feet, but may be 4.5 feet for board horse fencing. Section 13.1.2 also specifies: 'Fence and wall height shall be measured from the lowest adjacent grade to the top of the fence or wall.' Section 13.1.3 provides: 'The use of a berm to increase a fence or wall height is prohibited' (with limited exceptions for transition areas). Front-yard fences are subject to an opacity rule in 13.1.4: 'Fences in front yards shall be a maximum of 75 percent opaque,' which prevents solid stockade fencing forward of the front building line. For drainage in floodplain or stormwater-sensitive areas, the ordinance permits 'shadow boxes, flap gates, aluminum fencing, or gaps at the bottom of the fencing' to allow adequate water flow. Sight-distance triangles at street intersections and driveways must be kept clear regardless of fence height. Franklin sits within Williamson County and is subject to TCA Title 68, Chapter 120 statewide construction safety standards, but fence height itself is a zoning matter governed by the City of Franklin Zoning Ordinance.