· John Roth
Do I Need a Permit to Build a Fence in Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Nashville or Gallatin?
It's one of the first questions I get on an estimate, and the honest answer is: it depends on which side of the city limit sign you live on. Every town around here writes its own rules. Here's what each one says, as of October 2026.
Rules change. Before you build, call the city or check the link I put under each town. If a permit is required, the homeowner pulls it. We don't pull permits, but we're glad to help you figure out what your town needs.
Who pulls the permit?
Clean Cut Fence and Gate does not pull permits. We leave that to the homeowner. If your city or county requires a permit, it's the homeowner's responsibility to pull it before we start work.
Lebanon
Yes, Lebanon requires a fence permit. The city's Building Inspection Department issues it.
The height limits in Lebanon's zoning code:
- Up to 8 feet behind the front of the house
- Up to 4 feet between the front of the house and the street
- Corner lots and double-frontage lots follow the same front-yard limit on every street side
- No fences in the 100-year floodplain
- The finished side has to face out, toward the neighbors and the street
Source: City of Lebanon FAQ. Lebanon's design-standards chapter was being updated in 2026, so confirm the height limits with Lebanon Planning before you build.
Mt. Juliet
No building permit is needed for a fence 7 feet tall or less. Mt. Juliet's code allows residential fences up to 6 feet, even in the front yard. On a corner lot, nothing between 2½ and 10 feet tall can sit inside the 35-foot sight triangle at the intersection.
Planning & Zoning also reviews fences, so give them a quick call to make sure no zoning approval is needed on your lot. Source: Mt. Juliet Building Codes.
Nashville (Metro Davidson County)
Metro does not require a fence permit right now, but the zoning rules still apply:
- Within 10 feet of the street: solid fences up to 30 inches; open fences like chain link or iron up to 6 feet
- The rest of the front yard: up to 6 feet
- Side and back yards: up to 8 feet
- Corner lots: no fences in the 35-foot visibility zone (lots in the Urban Zoning Overlay are exempt)
- Historic overlays need a Preservation Permit
Source: Metro Nashville fence requirements.
Gallatin
Yes, Gallatin requires a permit for any fence. As of their November 2024 fee sheet it's $15 for a fence under 6 feet, and $75 for 6 feet and taller.
- Front yard: 4 feet max, no more than 50% solid
- Side and back yards: 6 feet (up to 10 feet if you back up to commercial or apartments)
- Chain link must be vinyl-coated black, green or brown
- The finished side faces out
Source: City of Gallatin fence requirements.
Out in the county (unincorporated Wilson County)
No permit is needed unless you're in a floodplain or floodway. Along a road, any fence over 3½ feet tall has to sit at least 10 feet back from the right-of-way. Source: Wilson County Zoning Ordinance, §3.80.
What about my HOA?
A city permit does not override your HOA. The cities say so themselves. Lebanon's FAQ states that HOAs enforce their own covenants, and Gallatin wants HOA approval in hand before you apply. If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA:
- Get a copy of the fence rules (height, style, color, which side faces out).
- Send the HOA your fence plan and wait for approval in writing.
- Then pull the city permit, if your town requires one.
We're glad to put together a drawing and material list for your HOA submittal.
The short version
| Where you live | Permit? | Back-yard height |
|---|---|---|
| Lebanon | Yes | 8 ft |
| Mt. Juliet | No building permit up to 7 ft (check Planning) | 6 ft |
| Nashville / Davidson | No (zoning rules still apply) | 8 ft |
| Gallatin | Yes | 6 ft |
| Wilson County (outside city limits) | No (except floodplain) | 3½-ft rule only near the road |
Not sure which rules apply to your lot? Call me. I've been building fences around here for 34 years, and I'm glad to help you sort it out. If your town requires a permit, you'll pull it before we start.