FENCE RULES – MT. JULIET (CITY), TENNESSEE
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within Mount Juliet, subject to local regulations.
Mount Juliet regulates the placement, height, and maintenance of fences and walls through the Land Development Code and the City Code of Ordinances. These regulations are administered to manage structures within various zoning districts, including residential base districts and specialized overlay districts. The city classifies fences and walls as permitted obstructions within required yards, provided they adhere to specific safety and visibility standards.
Compiled From the Mt. Juliet Land Development Code, the Mt. Juliet Code of Ordinances, and the Building Codes Department as of February 2026.
GOVERNANCE
Residential fence standards within the city limits are governed by the Mt. Juliet Land Development Code (Zoning Regulations) and the Mt. Juliet Code of Ordinances. The primary administrative authorities are the Mt. Juliet Building Codes Department, which manages structural safety and permitting, and the Mt. Juliet Planning & Zoning Department, which oversees land use and placement compliance.
Technical construction standards are dictated by the locally adopted International Residential Code (IRC). For properties located within specific areas, such as the Village Commercial District Overlay (VCDO), additional design guidelines may apply.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit: A Building Permit is not required for standard residential fences seven (7) feet in height or lower, per the locally adopted International Residential Code (IRC).
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with the Mt. Juliet Planning & Zoning Department before construction.
• Subdivision Requirements: The Planning Commission may require a developer or subdivider to furnish and install fences where a hazardous condition is determined to exist. In such cases, the fence must be constructed according to standards established by the Planning Commission and noted on the final plat regarding height and material.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Setbacks: 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.
• Easements: Fences and walls must not be placed within public or private utility or drainage easements if the easement holder or the City objects to the installation. Structures must not be placed within the flowage area of swales or drainage ditches.
• Yard Obstructions: Fences and walls are classified as permitted obstructions within required front, side, and rear yards, subject to height and visibility limitations.
• 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 underground facilities prior to the excavation.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• Visibility at Intersections: At any intersection of a driveway and a street, or at the intersection of two streets, no fence, wall, or other obstruction to vision may exceed a height of 30 inches within the designated sight distance triangle.
• Height Limits: The Land Development Code does not publish a specific maximum height limit for standard residential fences in side or rear yards; however, structures exceeding seven (7) feet trigger building permit requirements.
• Drainage and Grading: No change of grade or alteration of the land may occur in a manner that obstructs natural storm drains, sinkholes, or floodways.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Prohibited Materials: The Mt. Juliet Code of Ordinances and Land Development Code do not indicate a list of prohibited materials for standard residential fencing.
• Maintenance: The owner of any property must maintain all structures, including fences and walls, in a safe and sanitary condition. Fences that fall into disrepair or become a nuisance may be subject to abatement.
• Commercial/Industrial Screening: In non-residential contexts, refuse and recycling containers must be screened from public view by durable brick or masonry materials that match the exterior of the principal building.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
• HOA Authority: Homeowners association (HOA) bylaws and private deed covenants may impose stricter fence requirements than city ordinances. City approval does not exempt a property owner from compliance with applicable 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:
• Installation of a fence exceeding seven (7) feet in height without a required building permit.
• Placement of a fence or wall within a sight distance triangle at an intersection that exceeds 30 inches in height.
• Construction of a fence within a public utility or drainage easement that obstructs flow or access.
• Installation of a fence that encroaches into a public right-of-way or onto adjacent private property.
• Maintenance of a fence in a state of disrepair that violates property maintenance standards.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within Mount Juliet, 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 the Mt. Juliet Building Codes Department and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from Mount Juliet staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.