FENCE RULES – BLOUNT (COUNTY), TENNESSEE
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within unincorporated Blount County, subject to local regulations.
Residential fence regulations in unincorporated Blount County are designed to facilitate property security while ensuring public safety and the preservation of motorist sightlines. These standards are established primarily through the County’s Zoning Resolution and Subdivision Regulations, which categorize fences as accessory structures. For most standard residential applications, the county maintains a high threshold for permit exemptions based on height, provided the installation does not interfere with traffic visibility or established utility and drainage infrastructure. Certain properties may also be subject to Airport Hazard Overlays or specific subdivision plats with higher setback standards.
Compiled From the Blount County Zoning Regulations and the Blount County Subdivision Regulations as of February 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The administration of land use and building standards for the unincorporated areas of the county is managed by Blount County Development Services. Structural safety and technical code compliance fall under the Building Department, while land use and placement standards are established by the Blount County Regional Planning Commission. The Board of Zoning Appeals is empowered to hear appeals regarding administrative decisions and to grant variances from strict application of the zoning resolution. Final authority on all zoning and building code interpretations rests with the Blount County Department of Development Services. The sources compiled for this page also reference the Blount County Planning Department for zoning detail verification. The county materials compiled for this page place responsibility on the property owner to confirm applicable requirements, including the verification of property lines and the identification of any recorded easements, prior to the start of construction.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit Exemption: Fences that are less than ten (10) feet in height are specifically exempt from the requirement to obtain a building permit, provided they are not part of a specialized site plan.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with Blount County Planning Department before construction.
• Setback Exemption: Residential fences under the 10-foot height threshold are exempt from standard property line setback requirements.
• Height Threshold: Any fence or wall structure intended to be ten (10) feet or greater in height requires formal review and the issuance of a building permit.
• Specialized Residential Buffers: Multi-family developments and manufactured home parks are required to install a solid fence of at least 6 feet in height along side and rear property lines as part of a mandatory perimeter buffer.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Property Lines: The ordinance does not state a setback requirement for standard residential fences from property lines; however, fences must be located entirely on the owner’s property and must not encroach into rights-of-way or easements.
• Public Right-of-Way: Fences are prohibited from encroaching into the public right-of-way, which includes the land dedicated for roads and utility maintenance.
• Easements: Fence installations must not abrogate or impair existing drainage or utility easements. If a fence is placed within an easement, the owner assumes the risk of removal at their own expense if access is required for maintenance or repairs.
• Visibility Compliance: All fence placements, regardless of height or permit exemption, must comply with the requirements for vision clearance for traffic.
• 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 our member utilities, or their contract locators, to mark their underground facilities prior to the excavation.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• Permit-Free Height: Standard residential privacy fencing is permitted up to ten (10) feet in height without a building permit.
• Intersection Visibility: To prevent infringement of sight lines, fences on corner lots must adhere to setback distances based on minimum stopping sight distances for automobiles approaching the intersection.
• Sight Line Setbacks: The building setback for a corner lot fence must be no nearer the street right-of-way than the line connecting the two points on the center lines of the intersecting streets at the prescribed stopping sight distance.
• Traffic Hazards: The Director of Planning and the Engineering Department are authorized to regulate any structure that may impair public safety or motorist sightlines at intersections.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Structural Stability: Fences are defined as structures and must be safe and stable for their intended use or ornamentation.
• Buffer Materials: For required buffers in multi-family or manufactured home developments, fences must be solid and non-metallic.
• Approved Materials: Blount County does not specify a list for general use or prohibition of specific materials such as wood or vinyl for standard residential privacy fencing.
• Maintenance Standards: Fences must be maintained in a manner that prevents them from becoming a public hazard or contributing to neighborhood blight.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Homeowners Association (HOA) requirements and private deed covenants operate independently of Blount County regulations. These private agreements may impose stricter standards regarding fence materials, colors, and maximum height limits (e.g., restricting fences to 4 or 6 feet). The county does not enforce private subdivision covenants; compliance is governed by the applicable private agreements.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
In unincorporated Blount County, this context is administered through the Department of Development Services.
• Traffic Vision Hazards: Reports of a fence obstructing the free and clear vision of motorists at a street intersection or driveway exit.
• Permit Violations: Installation of a fence or wall ten (10) feet or taller without an approved Building Permit.
• Easement Obstruction: Fences built within drainage or utility easements that interfere with stormwater management or infrastructure maintenance.
• Buffer Violations: Failure to maintain required 6-foot non-metallic fencing for designated multi-family or park developments.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within unincorporated Blount County, 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 Blount County Development Services and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from Blount County staff, the official sources control.
For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.