City of Bristol fence rules
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Bristol? No. The City of Bristol does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
At buildit.dog you can draw your fence on an aerial photo of your lot and check it against the City of Bristol's rules before you build. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- No (typical residential fence) source
- How to apply
- Call 423-989-5709 source
Still being confirmed with Bristol: Does the zoning ordinance set fence height or setback limits (and any zoning sign-off) for fences up to 7 ft?
How to build within the rules in the City of Bristol
Steps based on bristoltn.gov — Residential FAQs
- Check the City's Residential FAQs: fences not over 7 feet high are listed as exempt from a building permit.
- Call Code Enforcement at 423-989-5709 to confirm zoning height and location limits for your fence before building.
- Call 811 before digging.
Who to contact
- Phone
- 423-989-5709
- [email protected]
- Hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Address
- 104 Eighth Street, Bristol, TN 37620
Contact from bristoltn.gov — Residential FAQs
Other rules to know
- The Residential FAQs list "Fences not over 7 feet high" among work exempt from a building permit. They do not mention a separate fence permit; zoning fence height/setback rules were not reachable.
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 Bristol, TN?
No. The City of Bristol does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Bristol?
Development Services / Code Enforcement. Phone 423-989-5709, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Bristol's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the City of Bristol? 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If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it.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.