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Your fence is something you probably rarely think about on a day-to-day basis, but when it’s time to have your fence replaced or a new one installed, there are some things to take into consideration beyond style and type of fence that you are interested in. Depending on the city and state you live in, as well as whether or not you have a pool, there are certain fence codes that you need to abide by that may affect what fence you’re allowed to have. Here’s a few things to take into account:
  • There are height restrictions on residential fences, which can vary depending on your city. For example, you’re not allowed to have any residential fence that is over 8ft tall, but in areas like Germantown, fences aren’t allowed to be over 6ft tall. Also, as a general rule, fencing that exceeds the front of your house is not allowed to be over 48” tall, although some areas require even shorter fencing than that. Height is one of the most important aspects of a fence, as it ensures your privacy for your backyard, so keep this in mind when looking to install a new fence.
  • Although we just stated that regular fencing materials like wood and chain link cannot exceed 48” in the front yard, there is an exception in fence code for wrought iron fence for the city of Memphis! You can actually install fence as high as 8ft tall in the front yard in Memphis as long as the fence is made of iron. If you want your front yard to be fenced off with a taller fence, then wrought iron is definitely an option to consider. 
  • Speaking of types of fence, some types of fence are not allowed in certain towns. For example, chain link fence is not permitted in Collierville, Arlington, and Lakeland. Barb wire is not allowed on residential properties in any city, as it poses a danger to civilians. 
  • If you have a pool, your fence must meet certain requirements to pass code and make your back yard safe for your neighborhood. For example, if you have an ornamental fence around your pool, the distance between your horizontal runners must be a minimum of 45” to pass pool code. This is to help prevent children from being able to climb the fence and have access to your pool. Also, all gates must have self-closing hinges in order to secure a fence that surrounds a pool. 
  • Lastly, this doesn’t exactly pertain to fence code, but it is always a good practice to obtain your HOA’s approval before any fence work begins, as HOA restrictions can be even more precise than city code. In the case of Lakeland, HOA approval must be turned in before a fence permit can even be approved. Most fence companies will be aware of how fence code operates for your city, but HOA requirements are specific to your neighborhood, and they will be unknown to your fence company. If a fence is built that violates HOA requirements, it will be the homeowner’s responsibility to have the fence removed and replaced, so to avoid this kind of hassle and financial burden, always verify your fence with your HOA. 

If you have questions regarding fence code for your area, or any questions regarding what style, type, or height of fence may be best for your property, Bluff City Fence is happy to answer them and work with you to make sure your fence not only looks good and protects your home, but also meets code, no matter where you may live.