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Davidson County, TN Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Some Restrictions

Verified 1 month ago|Source: Municode Library →

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Key Facts

Permit Threshold: Over 4 feet or surcharge
Engineering: TN-licensed PE stamp
Code Basis: IRC 2018 as adopted
Hillside Overlay: Metro §17.28 may apply
Drainage: Required on plans

These county ordinances apply to of Davidson County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Summary

Metro Nashville requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, or any height with surcharge. Engineered plans required over 4 feet.

Full Breakdown

Per the 2018 International Residential Code as adopted by Metro Nashville, retaining walls are exempt from permit requirements only when they are 4 feet or less in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) AND not supporting a surcharge such as a slope, driveway, or structure. Walls exceeding 4 feet or supporting surcharge require a building permit and engineered plans stamped by a Tennessee-licensed professional engineer. Drainage (typically gravel backfill with perforated drainpipe) must be shown on plans. Walls must meet zoning setbacks: typically 5 feet from rear/side property lines in R-zones unless the wall is the property line structure by agreement. Hillside Design Standards (Metro §17.28) may apply in hillside overlay districts.

Violations & Fines

Unpermitted walls: stop-work order, required engineering certification or removal. Metro penalty up to $50/day for continuing violations. Failure ordered to be corrected to avoid liability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who enforces retaining walls rules in Davidson County?

Davidson County's code enforcement division is responsible for fences ordinances. You can report violations or request information through the Davidson County government website or by calling the main municipal line.

What are typical penalties for violating retaining walls rules?

Most Davidson County fences violations start with a written warning followed by escalating civil fines for repeat offenses. Specific dollar amounts and any criminal-misdemeanor exposure depend on the section of code; consult Davidson County's municipal code or staff for the current penalty schedule.

How does Davidson County compare?

See how Davidson County's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.

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Davidson County, TN Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Key Facts

Summary

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Official References

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