Fence Permit Rules by City and County in East Tennessee
Tennessee has no statewide residential fence code. Every town and every county writes its own, and the differences are bigger than most homeowners expect — the height that triggers a permit varies by three feet or more between neighboring jurisdictions.
Here is what applies where, and the office to call before anything gets dug.
The Short Version
- Town of Farragut — no building permit for fences up to 7 feet
- City of Maryville — fences over 6 feet are treated as accessory structures with setback requirements
- Unincorporated Blount County — fences under 10 feet exempt from permit and setback
- City of Oak Ridge — yard-based height limits under Article III of the zoning ordinance
- Loudon County — pool enclosures must be at least 4 feet with a latching gate
Three different thresholds inside a thirty-mile radius. This is why "what's the fence height limit in Tennessee" has no single answer.
Town of Farragut
Farragut is the most permissive of the local jurisdictions on height. Fences up to seven feet do not require a building permit. Anything taller does.
Three Farragut-specific things worth knowing:
- Pool barriers need a permit and are inspected against the 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, separately from the height exemption.
- Easements are unforgiving. A fence placed in a utility, drainage or construction easement can be removed and is not required to be reinstalled. That is a real risk on newer subdivisions where easements run through back yards.
- Stormwater flow matters. A fence is not permitted where it would impede the free flow of stormwater — relevant on sloped lots and along drainage swales.
Farragut's own guidance recommends a survey so boundaries and easements are known before construction. We agree, and we will tell you when a lot needs one.
Farragut Codes Office: (865) 966-7057. Town Hall: (865) 675-2384.
City of Maryville
Residential fencing in Maryville generally does not require a permit outside the Historic District — but the six-foot line matters.
Under the City of Maryville Land Development Regulations, a fence over six feet is classified as an accessory structure and must meet the setback requirements in Article XIV. A retaining wall counts as a fence to the extent it rises above the finished grade on the high side, which catches a lot of people on terraced lots.
Inside the Historic District, you need approval from the Maryville Historic Zoning Commission before installing anything. That is an application and a review, not a formality.
Contact the City of Maryville Development Services Department.
Unincorporated Blount County
The county is markedly different from the city inside it. Blount County's zoning regulations exempt fences under ten feet from both building permit and setback requirements, provided vision clearance rules at intersections and driveways are satisfied. At ten feet or above, formal review and a permit apply.
The ordinance does not set a residential setback from the property line — but the fence must sit entirely on your land and must not encroach into a right-of-way or easement. "No stated setback" is not the same as "anywhere you like."
Multi-family developments and manufactured home parks carry a separate requirement: a solid fence of at least six feet along side and rear property lines as a perimeter buffer.
City of Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge regulates fences through Article III of the zoning ordinance and Title 13 of the municipal code, using yard-based height limits — the limit depends on whether the fence is in a front, side or rear yard — plus materials standards and sightline requirements at intersections.
Oak Ridge also has designated historic and overlay districts with their own character standards. If your property sits in one, check before ordering material.
Loudon County
Loudon County's zoning resolution requires that all swimming pool areas be enclosed by a wall or fence at least four feet in height with a latching gate, maintained in working condition. Lenoir City and Farragut, both partly within the county, regulate under their own ordinances.
Three Things That Apply Everywhere
1. Your HOA is probably stricter than your town. An association cannot allow what an ordinance forbids, but it can and usually does impose tighter rules on height, material, color and placement. In Tennessee an HOA can place a lien on your property over covenant violations, so get written approval and keep a copy.
2. Call 811 before digging. Tennessee requires a utility locate before excavation, and post holes count. Budget about three business days. Private lines like irrigation and invisible dog fence are never marked.
3. Know where the line actually is. Tennessee has no statute that draws your boundary. Your deed and the county plat govern, and a fence left in the wrong place long enough can become the legal line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a fence in Farragut, TN?
Not for fences up to seven feet. Taller fences require a permit, and pool barrier fences require a permit and inspection regardless of height.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Maryville, TN?
Generally no, outside the Historic District. Fences over six feet are accessory structures and must meet Article XIV setbacks. Historic District properties need Historic Zoning Commission approval.
Do I need a permit in unincorporated Blount County?
Not under ten feet, and those fences are also exempt from setback requirements provided vision clearance is met. Ten feet and above requires review and a permit.
Why do the rules change between towns?
Tennessee publishes no statewide residential fence code, so each municipality and county sets its own thresholds.
Does my HOA override the town ordinance?
It cannot permit what the ordinance forbids, but it can be stricter — and usually is.
We Handle This Part
We have been pulling permits and setting fence in these jurisdictions since 1973. When we walk your property we will tell you which rules apply to your address, whether the lot needs a survey, and what your HOA is likely to require.
Call (865) 988-9935 or request a free quote.
Rules summarized from the Town of Farragut Building & Codes Department, City of Maryville Land Development Regulations, Blount County Zoning Regulations, Oak Ridge Zoning Ordinance and Loudon County Zoning Resolution, current as of 2026. Ordinances change — confirm with the relevant office before construction. This is general information, not legal advice.
