In unincorporated Rutherford County, fences do not require a building permit, but any fence requires a Fence Design Guideline Affidavit filed with the Rutherford County Planning Department (free of charge). Fences are typically limited to 7 feet in height in residential zones; corner-lot vision triangles further restrict any obstruction (including fences) to 3 feet to preserve driver sight distance at intersections. Fences must sit on or inside the property line and may not encroach into the County right-of-way. Contact Planning & Engineering at 615-898-7730. Cities (Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne) have their own fence codes within corporate limits.
Rutherford County regulates fences through its Zoning Ordinance (effective January 1, 2013, as amended through 2024) administered by the Rutherford County Planning Department at 1 South Public Square, Room 200, Murfreesboro. State enabling authority is T.C.A. 13-7 (county zoning). A building permit is not required for a residential fence in unincorporated Rutherford County; instead, the property owner must complete and file a Fence Design Guideline Affidavit with the Planning Department before installation - there is no fee for this affidavit. Residential fences are typically limited to 7 feet in height. Fences on corner lots cannot exceed 3 feet within the vision triangle at the intersection of two streets or any driveway. Fences must be placed on or inside the owner's property line, may not encroach onto adjacent property, and may not extend into the County right-of-way. Property owners are independently responsible for complying with subdivision covenants and HOA deed restrictions, which Rutherford County does not enforce. Within the City of Murfreesboro, the City Zoning Ordinance and Building Codes Department govern fences (typical 4 ft front / 6-8 ft rear), and within Smyrna and La Vergne, those municipalities' codes apply. Property maintenance and dilapidated-fence complaints in unincorporated areas are handled by the Property Maintenance/Zoning office at 615-898-7734.
Installing a fence without a filed Fence Affidavit, or building a fence that violates height, vision-triangle, or right-of-way requirements, can result in a property-maintenance/zoning violation notice from Rutherford County. Owners may be required to file the affidavit retroactively, lower the fence height, or relocate the fence off the right-of-way. Fences in disrepair can be cited under the County's property-maintenance regulations. Continued non-compliance can be enforced in General Sessions Court under T.C.A. 13-7-208.
See how Rutherford County's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.