City of Columbia fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Columbia? Not confirmed. Contact the City of Columbia before you build; the rules below are what we found in the ordinance.
buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Columbia (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Not confirmed source
- Good side faces
- The finished side of a fence must face off the property, toward the neighboring site. source
- Not allowed
- Razor wire, concertina wire, barbed wire and similar materials are not allowed in or directly next to Residential districts and uses, even across a public right-of-way. source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
Still being confirmed with Columbia: Does a fence 6 ft or under need a permit in Columbia, and what are the height limits for my district?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Columbia
- Check the Zoning Ordinance Article 4.3.6 and your district's table for height and setback limits.
- Fences over 6' tall need a building permit; ask Planning & Zoning at 931-560-1500 whether yours does.
- Call 811 before digging.
Who to contact
Robert Archibald
Principal Planner (building permit zoning compliance)
- Phone
- 931-560-1500
- [email protected]
- Address
- 700 N Garden Street, Columbia, TN 38401
Contact from columbiatn.gov — Zoning and Planning
Other rules to know
- City Fences page: fences over 6' tall require a building permit; it does not say whether shorter fences need one.
- Fences and non-building walls must meet the district standards in the Zoning Ordinance (Article 4.3.6 and Tables 4.3.1-A to 4.3.1-U).
- Fences may cross easements but cannot block drainage; the owner may have to remove a fence in an easement at their own expense.
Before you dig
Call 811 before digging post holes so underground utility lines are marked. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. County parcel maps can be off by several feet; if you're not sure where the line is, a licensed land surveyor can stake it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in the City of Columbia, TN?
Not confirmed. Contact the City of Columbia before you build; the rules below are what we found in the ordinance.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Columbia?
The finished side of a fence must face off the property, toward the neighboring site.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Columbia?
Check the Zoning Ordinance Article 4.3.6 and your district's table for height and setback limits. Fences over 6' tall need a building permit; ask Planning & Zoning at 931-560-1500 whether yours does. Call 811 before digging. buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Columbia (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Columbia?
Robert Archibald, Principal Planner (building permit zoning compliance). Phone 931-560-1500, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Columbia's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Columbia Zoning Ordinance 4400, Sec. 4.3.6 Fences & Walls
Work for the City of Columbia? Help us keep this right
If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Municipal staff reports are reviewed first. Please include a link to the current ordinance, form or fee schedule if you can.