How Tall Does a Deer Fence Need to Be in Tennessee?

Short answer: In Tennessee, a fence meant to keep deer out needs to be about 8 feet tall. An adult white-tailed deer "can easily jump 7 ft. or higher," and University of Tennessee Extension recommends "8-foot woven wire" or permanent high-tensile electric fence for high-value gardens and crops. A standard 6-foot privacy or farm fence slows deer down but will not reliably stop them.

LC Fence is a veteran-owned fence contractor that has been building residential and farm fence across East Tennessee since 1973. Deer pressure is one of the most common reasons people call us about a garden, orchard or backyard fence in the fall, so here is the plain version of what actually works on East Tennessee ground.

Why does a deer fence have to be so tall?

Because deer jump far higher than people expect. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, which manages the same white-tailed deer we have across the line in Tennessee, puts it directly: "An adult deer can easily jump 7 ft. or higher," so "a 'deer proof' fence would need to be 8 ft. or taller."

Height is only half of it. A deer that is not being chased usually would rather go under or through a fence than over it. A fence with a 6-inch gap under it on a slope, or a sagging section of wire, gets tested long before the top does. That is why the same agency adds an honest caveat: "While 8 foot fences likely will work in most situations deer can jump an 8 foot fence." Eight feet is the practical standard, not a guarantee.

Is deer pressure really that bad in East Tennessee?

Yes, and it is a fairly recent problem by fence standards. According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the state's deer herd "increased dramatically from approximately 2,000 deer in the 1940's to an estimated 900,000 animals in 2005," and their range "has expanded from a few counties in east Tennessee in the 1940's to all 95 counties in the state."

East Tennessee terrain makes it worse for gardeners. Most of our customers in Knox, Loudon and Blount counties live where a lawn meets a wooded ridge, creek bottom or field edge. That edge is exactly where deer feed. Subdivisions in Farragut, Hardin Valley, Maryville and Tellico Village back right up to that kind of cover, which is why we hear about hostas, tomatoes and young fruit trees disappearing even inside neighborhoods.

Timing matters too. Late fall is breeding season, deer are on the move, and as acorns run out through winter they turn to shrubs and ornamentals. Fall and winter are also a good time to get a fence built before spring planting.

How tall should a deer fence be for each type of fence?

It depends on the design. A physical barrier has to be tall; an electric fence works by training deer to avoid it, so it can be much shorter. Here is how the main options compare, using the figures published by extension and wildlife agencies.

Sources for the table: NC Wildlife Resources Commission (woven wire, solid fence and double electric heights), UT Extension SP 598 (single-strand height), and the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (tree cages).

What does UT Extension say about deer fencing in Tennessee?

UT Extension's publication SP 598, "Using Single-Strand Fencing to Manage Deer Damage," tested low electric and repellent fences around Tennessee soybean fields. Its findings are useful for anyone deciding how much fence to build:

• For single-strand electric fence, "The optimum fence height is 24 to 30 inches."
• Even so, "Fences in this demonstration did not eliminate deer depredation." Low fences reduce damage; they do not end it.
• For anything you cannot afford to lose: "High-value crops should be protected by a fence that provides a physical barrier, such as permanent high-tensile electric or 8-foot woven wire."

Woven wire also lasts. Rutgers University's research farm reports that properly installed high-tensile woven wire deer fence "provides more than twenty years of highly effective deer depredation prevention."

The UT Extension line about high-value crops is the one we come back to. If the thing behind the fence is a vegetable garden you care about, a young orchard or expensive landscaping, plan on 8 feet of physical barrier rather than hoping a low wire will train every deer in the hollow.

Will a 6-foot privacy fence keep deer out?

Usually not completely. A 6-foot solid fence is below the height most adult deer can clear, though it does discourage them because they cannot see a safe landing on the other side.

In our experience a 6-foot wood or vinyl privacy fence around a small backyard cuts deer traffic a lot, especially when the yard is narrow and the deer cannot get a running start. On a larger yard, or one that backs up to woods, expect a determined deer to eventually come over. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission says a solid fence "should be a minimum of 10 feet tall to prevent almost all deer from accessing the area," which is far taller than most homeowners want or most residential codes are written around.

If privacy is your main goal and deer are a secondary concern, a 6-foot privacy fence plus individual cages on young trees and shrubs is a reasonable middle ground.

Do you need a permit for an 8-foot deer fence?

Possibly, and it depends on exactly where you live. Many residential fence rules in East Tennessee were written with 6- and 7-foot backyard fences in mind, so an 8-foot fence can fall outside the simple path.

For example, the Town of Farragut exempts fences up to 7 feet tall from building permits. An 8-foot deer fence is taller than that exemption, so it is worth a call to the town's codes office before you build. Front yards are stricter almost everywhere: in unincorporated Knox County, fences in a front yard cannot materially block vision above 3.5 feet. HOA covenants are often the tightest limit of all, and many subdivisions restrict wire fencing entirely.

Agricultural land in the county is usually handled differently than a subdivision lot. The safe move is the same everywhere: confirm the height limit for your parcel before the posts go in. Our guides on how tall a fence can be in Knoxville and fence rules in Farragut cover the local details.

What makes a deer fence fail on East Tennessee ground?

Most deer fence failures we see are not about height. They are about posts, gaps and gates.

1. Posts set too shallow. An 8-foot fence is a tall lever, and East Tennessee subsoil is heavy clay with limestone and shale ledges close to the surface in many areas. Taller fences need longer posts set deeper, and corner and gate posts need bracing. A post that leans after two wet springs leaves a low spot deer will find. We cover this in why fence posts lean in East Tennessee clay soil.
2. Gaps under the fence on slopes. Our yards are rarely flat. Every dip between posts is a potential crawl space. The bottom of the wire needs to follow the ground closely, with low spots filled or closed off.
3. Weak or open gates. A gate is the lowest-maintenance part of the fence until someone leaves it open overnight. Gates on a deer fence need to be full height and close tight to the ground.
4. Not enough tension. Woven wire that sags at mid-span is easy for deer to push through or under. High-tensile wire stretched properly between braced corners stays tight for years.
5. Fencing too much ground. A tight, well-built fence around the garden or orchard beats a loose one around the whole property. Wildlife damage specialists note that "fences are most practical for areas less than 40 acres."

How do you plan a deer fence for a garden or orchard?

Start with what you are protecting, then size the fence to it. Here is the process we walk customers through:

1. Define the area. Measure the garden, orchard or planting beds and add working room around them for a mower, tiller or tractor.
2. Check the rules. Confirm the height limit with your city or county and read your HOA covenants if you have one.
3. Call 811. Tennessee 811 needs at least three working days' notice before you dig post holes. See calling 811 before a fence in Tennessee.
4. Pick the design. 8-foot woven wire for long-term protection, a double electric fence for a seasonal garden, or a privacy fence plus tree cages if appearance matters most.
5. Plan gates and grade. Decide where equipment needs to get in, and walk the line to spot low places where the fence will need extra attention.
6. Build before you plant. Late fall and winter installs mean the fence is up before deer learn that your garden is a buffet.

Key facts

• A fence meant to keep deer out should be about 8 feet tall; adult white-tailed deer can jump 7 feet or higher.
• UT Extension recommends 8-foot woven wire or permanent high-tensile electric fence for high-value crops.
• Single-strand electric fence for deer works best at 24 to 30 inches high, but it reduces damage rather than eliminating it.
• Solid fences need to be about 10 feet tall to stop almost all deer; a 6-foot privacy fence is not deer-proof.
• Tennessee's deer herd grew from about 2,000 in the 1940s to an estimated 900,000 by 2005, according to TWRA.
• An 8-foot fence may exceed local permit exemptions, such as Farragut's 7-foot limit, so check before building.

Get a deer fence planned for your property

Every deer problem looks a little different once you are standing in the yard: the slope, the tree line, where the deer are coming from, and what you are trying to protect. We will walk the property, tell you what height and design makes sense, and give you a written price. For general numbers first, see how much a fence costs, or browse more answers on our fence answers page.

Request a free on-site estimate on our quote page or call (865) 988-9935. LC Fence, 5482 Hwy 321 N, Lenoir City, TN 37771. Tennessee Unlimited Contractor License #54371.

Sources

• UT Extension SP 598, Using Single-Strand Fencing to Manage Deer Damage (Dixon and Harper)
• Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, White-tailed Deer
• North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Fencing to Exclude Deer
• Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, Deer Damage Prevention and Control Methods
• Rutgers Snyder Research and Extension Farm, Deer Fencing

Sources checked November 2026. Height limits and permit rules vary by city, county and HOA; confirm the rules for your parcel before you build.