Fence permit in Nashville, TN
It depends — some fence work in Nashville needs a permit, some doesn't.
You do not need a building permit for a fence that is 7 feet tall or shorter. A taller fence is not on the exempt list, so plan on pulling a permit for it. Height limits and setback rules in the zoning code still apply either way, and barbed or razor wire is banned along sidewalks in the urban services district.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 7 ft tall |
| Fee | When a residential building permit is needed, the fee is $5.00 per $1,000 of total project valuation. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2 |
| Based on | Tennessee-adopted IRC 2018 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Nashville building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
If you skip it
Nashville's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | — | Depends | Over 7 ft tall |
| Goodlettsville | 12 mi | Depends | Over 7 ft tall |
| Brentwood | 12 mi | Depends | Over 7 ft tall |
| Hendersonville | 14 mi | Depends | Over 7 ft tall |
| Mount Juliet | 15 mi | Depends | Over 7 ft tall |
| Nolensville | 16 mi | Depends | Over 7 ft tall |
Other work in Nashville
Questions people ask
My fence is right at the limit. Does that count?
The exemption has to fit exactly — if the code says a size or height, being at or under it keeps you exempt, and going a single inch over doesn't. When you're close to the line, measure before you buy materials, and call the department if the number is borderline.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Nashville can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.