Rutherford County, TN Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Barbed/razor/concertina wire
- Banned residentially
- Electrified fencing
- Barred except livestock use
- Plywood/scrap lumber/unfinished block
- Prohibited materials
- Residential height cap
- 8 feet
- Post depth minimum
- 2 feet into ground
- Enforcement
- Director of Building and Codes
- Continuing violation
- Each day separate offense
Summary
In unincorporated Rutherford County, the Zoning Ordinance bans barbed wire, razor wire, concertina wire and electrified fencing on residential property, along with plywood, scrap lumber, unfinished cinderblock and flammable materials like paper or canvas. Section 1101 B.4 exempts agricultural livestock enclosures and public-safety facilities, and the Director of Building and Codes enforces the ban.
4. Prohibited Fences. The following types of fences are prohibited: Fences constructed primarily or topped with barbed wire or razor wire, or deployed, raised, arranged or expanded in concertina form, except when used in conjunction with an agricultural use or purpose, non-residentially zoned property ... or uses, and/or serving a public institution for public safety or special services. Fences carrying electrical current, except for the purpose of enclosing livestock for an agricultural use. Fences constructed of readily flammable materials such as paper, cloth or canvas except for temporary fences required by law (e.g. drainage silt fencing). Fences or walls made of solid plywood, scrap lumber and insubstantial similar non-customary materials. Fences or walls made of common concrete or cinderblock, unless finished with a masonry material. Fences, wall or hedges on any portion of any public right-of-way, except fences erected by a governmental agency.
Full Breakdown
Section 1101 B of the Rutherford County Zoning Ordinance governs fences, walls and hedges in unincorporated Rutherford County. 3 lists what is allowed everywhere: masonry or stone walls, ornamental iron, chain-link, and wood or vinyl fencing. 4 then bars six categories outright. Fences topped with barbed wire, razor wire or concertina wire are prohibited unless tied to an agricultural use, a non-residentially zoned property, or a public-safety institution. Electrified fencing is banned except to enclose livestock on agricultural land. Fences built of flammable material such as paper, cloth or canvas are prohibited, as are solid plywood, scrap lumber and cinderblock or concrete walls left unfinished with masonry.
No fence, wall or hedge may sit in the public right-of-way unless the government itself erected it. 1 caps residential fence height at 8 feet in side and rear yards, with front-yard fences up to 8 feet required to be transparent construction such as split rail, picket or chain link, tennis-court fencing capped at 12 feet and baseball backstops at 16 feet. 2 requires posts set at least 2 feet into the ground, worked out with Planning and Engineering and Building and Codes if rock makes that impractical.
8 makes the property owner responsible for keeping a fence in good repair; the Director of Building and Codes can order repair, replacement or removal of a deteriorated or non-perpendicular fence. 11 prohibits fences in utility or drainage easements without written provider or County Engineer consent.
Violations & Fines
Violating Section 1101 B is a misdemeanor under Section 1410 B of the ordinance, punishable as prescribed by Tennessee law, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense. The Director of Building and Codes issues repair, replacement or removal orders for noncompliant fencing under B.8, and Section 1410 C lets the county or an aggrieved neighboring property owner seek an injunction to force compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a barbed wire fence around my Rutherford County property?
Is electric fencing legal in unincorporated Rutherford County?
Can I build a fence out of plywood or cinderblock?
What happens if my fence violates the ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rutherford County
Compare Rutherford County to another location·View the Tennessee fence regulations overview
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