City of Portland fence rules
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Portland? No. The City of Portland 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 Portland's rules before you build. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- No (typical residential fence) source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- Residential front yard: 30 inches (taller if at least 75% transparent) source
- Corner lots
- Second front yard on corner/double-frontage lots: up to 6 ft, not past the front facade, at least 15 ft from pavement edge or right-of-way source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences may not be over an occupied utility/drainage easement or block drainage; no fences in a floodplain/floodway except chain link; visibility at intersections rules apply.
- Good side faces
- Finished side must face outward (shadow-box exempt).
- Not allowed
- Debris, junk, rolled plastic, sheet metal, plywood, vinyl slats, thin fabric inserts; barbed wire and electrified fences in residential/mixed-use/office/commercial districts (except agricultural).
- How to apply
- Call (615) 325-6776 ext. 227
Still being confirmed with Portland: Was this guideline reached from the current City site navigation, and is it still current?
How to build within the rules in the City of Portland
- No permit is required per the City guideline; call Planning and Zoning at (615) 325-6776 ext. 227 with questions.
- Call 811 before digging.
Who to contact
Planning and Zoning Office
- Phone
- (615) 325-6776 ext. 227
Contact from cityofportlandtn.gov — Fences and Walls Guidelines PDF 3
Other rules to know
- City guideline: no permit required for fences, walls or hedges.
- The commercial height text appears to contain a drafting error; confirm with the city.
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 Portland, TN?
No. The City of Portland does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply. City guideline: no permit required for fences, walls or hedges.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Portland?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft. Front (street) yard: Residential front yard: 30 inches (taller if at least 75% transparent). Corner lots: Second front yard on corner/double-frontage lots: up to 6 ft, not past the front facade, at least 15 ft from pavement edge or right-of-way.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Portland?
Fences may not be over an occupied utility/drainage easement or block drainage; no fences in a floodplain/floodway except chain link; visibility at intersections rules apply.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Portland?
Finished side must face outward (shadow-box exempt).
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Portland?
Planning and Zoning Office. Phone (615) 325-6776 ext. 227.
Sources
Summarized from the City of Portland's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the City of Portland? 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.