FENCE RULES – ROBERTSON (COUNTY), TENNESSEE
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within Robertson County, subject to local regulations. This page applies to properties in the unincorporated areas of Robertson County; incorporated municipalities may regulate fences under their own ordinances.
Robertson County does not publish a single consolidated residential fence code. Fence-related requirements appear across the Robertson County Zoning Resolution, the Robertson County Subdivision Regulations, the Robertson County Planning Department permit materials, floodplain administration provisions, pool standards, subdivision improvement standards, and Tennessee residential building-code status materials.
This page focuses on typical single-family residential fencing. If the jurisdiction’s adopted materials do not state a specific limit or requirement, this page notes that the code does not specify one.
Compiled From Robertson County Planning Department materials, Robertson County Building Permit materials, Robertson County Zoning Resolution, Robertson County Subdivision Regulations, and Tennessee residential jurisdiction status materials as of May 2026.
GOVERNANCE
Robertson County regulates land use and development in the unincorporated county through the Robertson County Zoning Resolution and Robertson County Subdivision Regulations.
The Robertson County Planning Department administers planning, zoning, building-permit records, certificates of occupancy, temporary use permits, zoning maps, Board of Zoning Appeals matters, Planning Commission matters, and inspections. The department is also identified as responsible for administering and interpreting the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations.
For residential building-code status, Robertson County is listed by the Tennessee State Fire Marshal as EXEMPT. For this page, that means Robertson County is treated as locally administering residential building-code permitting rather than as a State Residential Building Permit or OPT OUT jurisdiction.
The county does not publish a separate residential fence chapter. Fence rules therefore come from several rule areas: building-permit administration, zoning visibility standards, swimming-pool barrier standards, floodplain development review, subdivision plat and easement standards, and rural or agricultural special-use standards where applicable.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Residential Building-Code Status: Robertson County is listed by the Tennessee State Fire Marshal as EXEMPT for residential building-code enforcement, indicating local residential building-code administration rather than State Residential Building Permit administration or opt-out / non-code status.
• Building-Code Permit Context: Robertson County’s building-permit materials reference compliance with 2021 International Building Codes and 2018 Energy codes, but the county does not publish a separate local fence permit requirement for standard residential fences. The state-adopted IRC permit-exemption framework includes fences not over 7 feet high, and Robertson County’s local administration controls how building-permit exemptions are applied.
• Zoning Compliance: Building-permit exemptions are separate from zoning, setback, subdivision-plat, easement, right-of-way, floodplain, pool-barrier, and private-restriction requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, plat requirements, and permit requirements with Robertson County Planning Department before construction.
• Pool Permits and Barriers: Robertson County publishes separate Pool Permit Requirements. Pool permit site plans must show the fence, and the Zoning Resolution requires swimming pools to be protected by a fence or equal enclosure at least 4 feet high. The gate must be self-closing and positive self-latching, with hardware provided for permanent locking.
• Flood Hazard Areas: The Floodplain District regulations require a development permit before development activities begin in identified flood hazard areas. The Planning Director or designee administers floodplain development review.
• Subdivision and Plat Conditions: In subdivisions, the Planning Commission may require a subdivider or developer to install fences where it determines that a hazardous condition exists. Required fence height and material standards must be noted on the final plat. This is a subdivision improvement rule and not a general fence permit requirement for every residential lot.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Property-Line Setback: 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.
• Corner Visibility: In all districts, on a corner lot within the area formed by intersecting road center lines and a line joining points on those center lines 90 feet from the intersection, obstructions to vision are restricted between 3 1/2 feet and 10 feet above the average grade of each road at the center line.
• Rights-of-Way and Access Work: Curbs or shoulders on county streets or rights-of-way may not be cut or altered without approval of the Robertson County Highway Department. Work affecting a state highway requires a Tennessee Department of Transportation permit.
• Subdivision Drainage Easements: Drainage easements in subdivisions must be perpetual and unobstructed. Where drainage easements are required outside public rights-of-way, they must be at least 10 feet wide and shown on the plat.
• Subdivision Utility Easements: Utility easements in subdivisions may be required along rear lot lines or across lots. Where required, they must be at least 20 feet wide and must remain unobstructed when shown on the plat.
• Rural or Agricultural Livestock Context: Where the Article VIII agricultural-production livestock standard applies, fencing and shelters for livestock must be at least 50 feet from any property line.
• Utility Safety: Tennessee law requires notice through Tennessee 811 before excavation where the Tennessee Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act applies. For fence projects that involve digging, including fence post holes, notice generally must be given at least 3 full working days before excavation begins.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• Standard Residential Fence Height: The code does not specify a maximum height for standard residential fences.
• Building-Code Permit Context: The state-adopted IRC permit-exemption framework includes fences not over 7 feet high, but Robertson County does not publish a separate local fence permit rule or an express local over-7-foot fence permit trigger for standard residential fences.
• Corner-Lot Visibility: The Zoning Resolution restricts obstructions to vision within the 90-foot intersection visibility area on corner lots between 3 1/2 feet and 10 feet above the average road grade. This rule applies in all districts.
• Swimming-Pool Barriers: Swimming pools must be protected by a fence or equal enclosure at least 4 feet high, with a self-closing and positive self-latching gate and hardware for permanent locking.
• Subdivision Hazard Fences: Where the Planning Commission requires fencing for a hazardous subdivision condition, the required fence height must be set by the Planning Commission and noted on the final plat.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Standard Residential Materials: The code does not specify permitted or prohibited materials for standard residential fences.
• Subdivision Hazard Fences: Where the Planning Commission requires fencing for a hazardous subdivision condition, the required fence materials must be set by the Planning Commission and noted on the final plat.
• Swimming-Pool Gates: Pool barrier gates must be self-closing and positive self-latching, with hardware provided for permanent locking.
• Rural or Agricultural Livestock Fencing: The Article VIII agricultural-production livestock standard regulates placement of livestock fencing and shelters but does not specify fence materials.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Private restrictions operate independently from Robertson County zoning and subdivision rules. These may include HOA covenants, subdivision restrictions, deed restrictions, private easements, agricultural agreements, architectural-review covenants, or private boundary agreements.
The Subdivision Regulations recognize that private provisions may impose higher standards than county subdivision standards. Where private restrictions are more restrictive, they are treated as private obligations rather than as county zoning standards unless Robertson County has separately adopted or enforced the condition through an official approval, plat, permit, or ordinance.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Residential Building-Code Status: Robertson County is listed as EXEMPT, indicating local residential building-code administration rather than State Residential Building Permit administration or opt-out / non-code status.
• Building-Code Permit Context: Robertson County’s building-permit materials reference compliance with 2021 International Building Codes and 2018 Energy codes. The state-adopted IRC permit-exemption framework includes fences not over 7 feet high, but Robertson County does not publish a separate local fence permit rule for standard residential fences.
• Zoning Visibility Review: Fences, walls, hedges, or other obstructions may be reviewed where they affect the 90-foot corner visibility area and the 3 1/2-foot to 10-foot obstruction range.
• Pool Permit Review: Pool permit materials require the site plan to show the fence, and the Zoning Resolution requires pool barriers at least 4 feet high with self-closing and positive self-latching gate hardware.
• Subdivision Plat Review: The Planning Commission may require hazardous-condition fences in subdivisions, with height and material standards noted on the final plat.
• Subdivision Easement Review: Fences may be reviewed where they obstruct required drainage easements, utility easements, or other plat-based easements.
• Floodplain Review: Development activities in identified flood hazard areas require floodplain development review by the Planning Director or designee.
• Right-of-Way Review: Fence-related work that cuts or alters county curbs, shoulders, streets, or rights-of-way may require approval from the Robertson County Highway Department.
• Rural or Agricultural Review: Where the Article VIII agricultural-production livestock standard applies, livestock fencing and shelters must maintain the 50-foot property-line separation required by that standard.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within Robertson County, based on publicly available materials reviewed as of May 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, floodplain status, historic district status, rural or agricultural context, residential building-code status, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants or private agreements. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with Robertson County Planning Department and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from Robertson County staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.