Davidson County, TN Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

Additional Information These are general rules for Nashville. Zoning overlays or homeowners' associations may have further restrictions that you need to understand before beginning construction. An alley is not considered a street for fencing setback purposes. There is not a distance requirement for a fence from a neighboring property line. If you chose not to build at the shared property line, you will still be responsible for maintaining your property on the other side of the fence. Fences may be constructed over an easement, but the homeowner would be responsible for the reconstruction of a fence should a utility company need to access the easement. Any dispute between neighboring properties on the property line location is a civil matter. Fence Materials The following materials are generally permitted in Nashville for the construction of fences. Note that barbed wire and electric fences are generally prohibited or restricted in residentially zoned areas. With few exceptions, no fence otherwise permitted under this code shall be erected with barbs or sharp projections on top of such fence, unless it is five feet or more from a property line or more than seven feet above grade and projecting inward. Specific details are available in Metro Code 16.04.200 .