Sullivan County, TN Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max fence/wall height
- 8 feet, from finish grade
- Fence must be
- Freestanding, unroofed
- Corner lot rule
- No obstruction 3-10 ft high
- Sight triangle size
- 35 ft along each street line
- Purpose
- Clear vehicular sightlines at intersections
Summary
Sullivan County allows privacy walls and fences up to 8 feet tall, measured from finish grade, in any yard, but corner lots carry an added restriction: nothing between 3 and 10 feet tall may sit inside the sight triangle formed by points 35 feet from the intersection along each street.
Privacy walls, or fences not exceeding eight (8) feet in height measured from finish grade level and not roofed or structurally part of a building. (amended 09.15.2022) ... 3. Obstructions Prohibited at Street Intersections - On a corner lot, no fence, wall, parking, access point, sign, hedge, or other planting or structure that will materially obstruct vision between a height of three (3) feet and ten (10) feet above the center line grades of the intersecting streets shall be erected, placed, or maintained within the triangular area formed by the street lines at such corner lots and a straight line joining such street lines at points which are thirty-five (35) feet distance from the intersection of the street lines and measured along said street lines.
Full Breakdown
6(2)(a) lists items that do not count as yard obstructions, including 'privacy walls, or fences not exceeding eight (8) feet in height measured from finish grade level and not roofed or structurally part of a building,' a limit amended September 15, 2022. That allowance applies in any yard, front, side or rear, so long as the fence is freestanding and unroofed. ' An illustration of that triangle appears in Appendix C. for vehicular traffic approaching the intersection,' meaning a fence that is legal at 8 feet under the general yard rule can still be unlawful if it falls inside a corner lot's 35-foot sight triangle and stands between 3 and 10 feet tall.
Violations & Fines
A fence exceeding 8 feet, or one built inside a corner lot's sight triangle between 3 and 10 feet tall, is a zoning violation. Section 12-107.1 lets any person, including a neighbor, file a written complaint with the Building Commissioner, and Section 12-107.2 makes the violation a misdemeanor with a civil penalty up to $500 per day; Section 12-107.3 lets the county or a damaged neighbor seek an injunction ordering the fence corrected or removed, which carries particular weight at intersections given the traffic-safety purpose behind the rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build a privacy fence in Sullivan County?
Are there extra rules for a fence on a corner lot?
Does the 8-foot fence limit apply to a fence attached to my garage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sullivan County
How Sullivan County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Sullivan County to another location·View the Tennessee fence regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.