What is the maximum fence height in Nashville?

Eight feet along side and rear yards and six feet in the front setback, under Metro Code 17.12.040. Within 10 feet of the street the limits are lower: 30 inches for a solid fence and 72 inches for an open style such as picket, rail or iron.

Do I need a permit to build a fence in Nashville?

No building permit is needed, according to Metro Codes’ fence page. The exception is a property inside a historic overlay, which needs a Preservation Permit before the fence goes up. Metro’s zoning height limits apply either way, so the plan should follow them.

How much does a fence cost per foot?

It comes down to the material and the fence line: cedar, treated pine, aluminum or steel, the height, the number of gates and corners, and whether the ground is level or rocky. A gate costs more than the same width of fence. The measured footage and your material choice make the estimate.

What is the best fence for privacy?

A solid wood fence at the full 8 feet allowed along side and rear yards. Shadowbox and board-on-board styles overlap the boards so there are no gaps even as the wood shrinks, and horizontal cedar gives the same privacy with a more modern look. Metal fences are open and don’t block the view.

Which side of the fence faces the neighbor?

By custom the finished side faces out toward the neighbor and the street, with posts and rails on your side. Shadowbox and board-on-board fences look the same from both sides, which avoids the question. Some neighborhoods and HOAs have their own rules, so check before you build.

Can a fence be built on a slope?

Yes, two ways. A stepped fence keeps each section level and drops in steps down the hill, leaving triangular gaps at the bottom. A racked fence follows the slope so the bottom stays close to the ground. Racking suits gentle slopes and keeps pets in; stepping suits steeper ones.

Fence Company in Nashville, TN | Nashville Outdoor Works

Styles of fence we build

Privacy fences in cedar or pressure-treated pine, with the boards run vertically, horizontally or in a shadowbox pattern that looks good from both sides. Picket fences for front yards. Black aluminum and steel fences that keep the view open while enclosing a yard or a garden. Modern fences that combine black steel posts with horizontal cedar boards.

Wood or metal?

Wood costs less up front and gives you full privacy, and it can be stained to match a deck or pergola. Cedar resists rot and weathers to a soft gray if left alone. Aluminum and steel cost more but never need staining, and an open metal fence is allowed taller near the street than a solid one.

Gates

A walk gate, a double gate wide enough for a mower or a trailer, or a drive gate across the driveway. Gates carry a lot of weight on one side, so gate posts are heavier than line posts and set deeper. Good hinges and a latch that lines up every time make the difference you notice daily.

How tall can a fence be in Nashville?

Under Metro’s zoning code (17.12.040), fences along side and back yards can be up to 8 feet, and up to 6 feet elsewhere in the front setback. Within 10 feet of the street, a solid fence stops at 30 inches and an open one at 72. Metro Codes says no building permit is needed except on lots in a historic overlay, which need a Preservation Permit.

Posts that stay straight

A fence is only as straight as its posts. Set in concrete below Davidson County’s 12-inch frost line, they don’t heave and lean after a wet winter. Every post hole is a dig, so Tennessee 811 marks the utility lines first, with three working days’ notice.

Sources

Metro Codes, fence permits — height limits under 17.12.040 and the Preservation Permit
Metro Nashville ordinance BL2025-898 — frost depth
Tennessee 811, frequently asked questions

Fence company in Nashville, TN