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.
The Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code (UDC) governs zoning for unincorporated Shelby County, administered by the Division of Planning and Development. Under UDC Sub-Section 4.6.7C, no fence or wall may exceed four feet in height between the front facade of a single-family residence and a public right-of-way or private street. Two exceptions apply: wrought iron or decorative metal fencing may reach eight feet in the front yard, and residences set at least 40 feet back may build up to eight feet if kept 40 feet from the street. Sub-Section 4.6.7D allows fences up to nine feet in any required side or rear setback. Incorporated cities such as Memphis and Germantown enforce their own codes.
Fences exceeding these limits without an approved administrative deviation under UDC Chapter 9.21 are zoning violations enforced by the Division of Planning and Development and Code Enforcement. Remedies include correction notices, removal or reduction of the fence, and civil penalties.
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See how Shelby County's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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