Memphis, TN Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Memphis Code § 12-40-7.B
- Banned materials
- Razor, ribbon, concertina wire
- District covered
- Central Business Improvement District
- Parking lot fences
- Ornamental iron/brick only (§ 12-40-6)
- Chain-link
- Expressly prohibited for CBID lots
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 4268, 7-26-1994
Summary
Within Memphis's Central Business Improvement District, no fence may be built with razor wire, ribbon wire, concertina wire, or similar coiled wire, and no fence can cantilever beyond the property line. Downtown parking lot fences are further restricted to ornamental iron, brick or masonry.
Sec. 12-40-7. - Fences and walls. In addition to the requirements of the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code, included herein as title 15, the following regulations shall apply within the CBID boundaries set out in section 12-32-2(B): ... B. In no event shall any fence be constructed with the application of razor wire, ribbon wire, concertina wire or similar elliptical or coiled wire. Furthermore, in no event shall any fence be equipped or extended in a manner so as to extend or cantilever the fence beyond a structure's property line.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Charter: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Memphis Code Section 12-40-7, "Fences and walls," applies within the Central Business Improvement District boundaries set out in Section 12-32-2(B), in addition to the requirements of the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code (Title 15). Subsection B bans dangerous fencing materials outright: in no event shall any fence be constructed with the application of razor wire, ribbon wire, concertina wire or similar elliptical or coiled wire, and no fence may be equipped or extended so as to cantilever beyond a structure's property line. A companion provision, Section 12-40-6, governs parking lot fencing specifically within the CBID: it must be constructed of ornamental iron, or a combination of iron and brick or masonry, requires prior approval from the CBID design review committee, and expressly prohibits chain-link or cyclone fencing.
Both sections were adopted by Ordinance No. 4177 (1993) and Ordinance No. 8 footcandles) and prohibited/permitted parking-lot locations. B, and, if the fence encloses a parking lot, no chain-link material under Section 12-40-6.
Violations & Fines
Constructing a fence with razor wire, ribbon wire, concertina wire, or similar coiled wire within the CBID violates Section 12-40-7.B; a chain-link or cyclone parking lot fence within the district violates Section 12-40-6. Both are enforced through the CBID design review committee's approval process, which can withhold or revoke fence approval for noncompliant material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a downtown Memphis property use razor wire fencing?
Is chain-link fencing allowed around downtown parking lots?
Who approves fence materials in the CBID?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Memphis
Compare Memphis to another location·View the Tennessee fence regulations overview
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