Knoxville, TN Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Front-yard cap
- 42 inches for privacy fences
- Side/rear yard cap
- No height limit
- Setback
- None, except visibility triangle
- Permit
- May be required per Building Code
Summary
Knoxville caps privacy fences and walls at 42 inches within five feet of the front building line and in corner side yards; height is unlimited elsewhere on the lot, and fences may sit right on the property line.
From five feet behind the front building line forward to the front lot line and in the corner side yard, privacy fences and walls are limited to 42 inches. ... Open fences do not have a limit. There is no limit on the height of privacy fences, walls, or open fences in other yards. Fences may be constructed at the boundaries of a lot without setback with the exception of the required visibility triangle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Knoxville's zoning code sets fence height by location, not by a blanket permit trigger. From five feet behind the front building line to the front lot line, and in the corner side yard, privacy fences and walls are capped at 42 inches; open fences have no cap there. In the interior side and rear yard, privacy fences, walls, and open fences face no height limit. Fences can sit right on the lot line without a setback, except within the required visibility triangle. A building permit may be required for the accessory structure under the Building Code before you build.
Violations & Fines
Knoxville's Code of Ordinances sets a general penalty of up to a $50 fine plus up to $500 in administrative costs, and/or 30 days' jail, per day of violation, where no specific penalty applies (§ 1-9).
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my front yard fence be in Knoxville?
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Knoxville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
Compare Knoxville to another location·View the Tennessee fence regulations overview
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