FENCE RULES – COLLIERVILLE (TOWN), TENNESSEE
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within Collierville, subject to local regulations.
The Town of Collierville regulates the installation, height, and appearance of fences and walls to maintain public safety and preserve neighborhood character. These standards distinguish between placement in front, side, and rear yards, with strict prohibitions against obstructions in the public right-of-way or designated sight triangles. All new fence installations or significant modifications are subject to a mandatory administrative review and permitting process.
Compiled From the Town of Collierville Code of Ordinances (Title XV, Land Usage), the Collierville Planning Division Fence Permit Guidelines, and the Collierville Development Department as of February 2026.
GOVERNANCE
Tennessee does not publish a statewide residential fence code. For properties located within Collierville town limits, residential fence standards are administered by the Town of Collierville Development Department, specifically through the Planning Division and the Building and Codes Division.
Regulatory authority is established under the Town of Collierville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 151 (Zoning). The Planning Division conducts the initial review for compliance with setbacks and aesthetics, while the Building and Codes Division ensures adherence to the locally adopted building safety standards.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
A permit is required for the installation of any new fence, any addition to an existing fence, or the partial replacement of a fence.
• Permit Requirement: The Planning Division requires a Fence Permit for all residential fence projects.
• Application Process: Applicants must submit a completed Fence Permit Application along with a site plan or survey of the property showing the exact location of the proposed fence relative to the house and property lines.
• Pool Barriers: Fences intended to serve as safety barriers for swimming pools must meet specific safety requirements, including self-closing and self-latching gate hardware, as dictated by the adopted building codes.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• General Placement: The ordinance does not state a setback requirement for standard residential fences from side and rear property lines; however, fences must be located entirely on the owner’s property and must not encroach into rights-of-way or easements.
• Front Yard Prohibition: Standard residential fences are prohibited within the required front yard setback. Enclosures are generally restricted to the side and rear yards, starting at the front corner of the principal structure.
• Easements: Fences are prohibited within utility or drainage easements unless the property owner receives prior written authorization from the Town of Collierville. Fences located in easements are subject to removal at the owner’s expense if access to utilities is required.
• Drainage Integrity: Fences must not be constructed in a manner that obstructs the natural flow of stormwater. The ordinance requires that fences allow for the free passage of water to prevent flooding on adjacent properties.
• Utility Safety: Tennessee’s Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act (TCA 65-31-101) requires everyone who digs to contact Tennessee 811 at least three (3) working days’ notice before starting a project. Tennessee 811 processes the notification of proposed excavation and notifies member utilities, or their contract locators, to mark their underground facilities prior to the excavation.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• Height Limits: Residential fences in side and rear yards are restricted to a maximum height of eight (8) feet.
• Visibility at Driveways: Fences must not be placed in a manner that obstructs the view of motorists. A ten (10) foot visibility triangle is required where a driveway or alley intersects with a public street.
• Intersection Sight Triangles: On corner lots, fences are prohibited within the designated sight triangle (typically 25 feet from the intersection of right-of-way lines) to ensure unobstructed views for traffic safety.
• Double Frontage Lots: For lots with frontage on two parallel streets, fences must observe specific setback requirements from the secondary street right-of-way as determined by the Planning Division.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Permitted Materials: Acceptable materials for residential fencing include wood, vinyl, wrought iron, and decorative metal.
• Prohibited Materials: The use of barbed wire, razor wire, chicken wire, and standard agricultural wire is prohibited in residential zones.
• Orientation (Finished Side): Fences must be installed with the finished side (the side without structural bracing or “ribs”) facing the neighboring property or the public street.
• Maintenance: All fences must be maintained in good repair and in a safe, upright condition.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
HOA requirements and private covenants operate independently from Town of Collierville regulations. Private rules may impose fence height, material, placement, or approval requirements that are more restrictive than Town standards. Town approval or the lack of a building permit requirement does not override private restrictions.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Unpermitted Construction: Installing or replacing a fence without obtaining an approved Fence Permit from the Planning Division.
• Encroachment: Placement of a fence within a public right-of-way or a restricted utility/drainage easement.
• Orientation Violations: Installing a fence with the structural bracing facing outward toward a neighbor or the street.
• Visibility Obstructions: Fences on corner lots or near driveways that exceed height limits or block the required sight triangle.
• Material Violations: Use of prohibited materials such as barbed wire or chicken wire on a residential parcel.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within Collierville, based on publicly available materials reviewed as of February 2026.
In addition to local fence rules, certain Tennessee laws apply statewide. See Statewide fence laws in Tennessee.
It is not legal advice and does not replace official ordinances, permits, surveys, or professional guidance. Rules and interpretations may change, and application may vary based on zoning district, site conditions, easements, rights-of-way, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with Town of Collierville Development Department and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from Collierville staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.