Do I Need a Permit for a Fence in Murfreesboro, TN?

ALL fences require building permits in Murfreesboro, TN — including simple residential wood fences — unlike many Tennessee cities. There are no setback requirements for fences in Murfreesboro, but fences must not encroach on drainage or utility easements or the public right-of-way. Submit the Fence Application with a Plot Plan. Allow 2 weeks.

Murfreesboro, TN building permit framework

The City of Murfreesboro Building and Codes Department is at 111 W. Vine Street (City Hall), Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Inspections and permit questions: 615-893-3750. Planning: 615-893-6441. Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Submit residential permit applications by email or in-person at City Hall — allow 2 weeks for processing. Once approved, you will be notified of fees and payment options. Include your email address on all applications. The 2018 Building Code is adopted. Murfreesboro Electric serves residential electric customers; Atmos Energy (1-888-286-6700) serves natural gas. Tennessee 811 (call 811) required before any excavation. Development Impact Fees adopted by City Council apply to room additions and new construction — contact 615-893-3750 for current amounts.

Murfreesboro distinguishes itself from many Tennessee cities by requiring building permits for ALL fences, regardless of height or material. Homeowners may obtain their own building, mechanical, and plumbing permits for primary residences — a licensed electrical contractor must obtain permits for all electrical work. Historic Zoning Commission reviews exterior alterations in historic district overlays — contact Planning at 615-893-6441 if your property may be in a historic overlay. Murfreesboro is one of Tennessee's fastest-growing cities, driven by Nashville metro growth spilling into Rutherford County approximately 33 miles to the northwest. Online building permit and inspection services are available for registration at murfreesborotn.gov.

Murfreesboro, TN Fence permit rules

Murfreesboro's fence permit requirement is more comprehensive than many Tennessee cities — all fences require a building permit, including simple wood privacy fences that would be exempt in many other jurisdictions. Submit the Fence, Storage Building and Other Accessory Structures Permit Application (listed at murfreesborotn.gov/540) with a Plot Plan or GIS Map showing the fence location on the property. Allow 2 weeks. The city's FAQ confirms: “There are no setback requirements for fences — but please take care not to encroach upon your neighbor's property, on a drainage or utility easement or the public right of way.” The Building and Codes Department at 615-893-3750 can advise on whether any easements are documented on your property that would affect fence placement.

Pool barrier fences must meet IRC pool barrier safety requirements: minimum 48 inches high, self-closing and self-latching gate hardware, no openings through which a 4-inch sphere can pass, and no footholds or handholds enabling climbing. Final inspection verifies all safety requirements. For HOA-governed communities, obtain written HOA architectural approval before submitting city permits. Tennessee 811 (call 811) required before any post hole digging.

Three Murfreesboro, TN Fence scenarios

What the inspector checks in Murfreesboro

For permitted fences, Building and Codes inspectors conduct a final inspection verifying height, materials, and gate hardware compliance. Pool barrier fences have additional inspection requirements. Schedule by calling 615-893-3750.

What fence costs in Murfreesboro, TN

Cedar board-on-board (6 ft): $18–$34 per linear foot installed. Vinyl privacy: $20–$38 per linear foot. Ornamental aluminum: $24–$42 per linear foot. Chain link: $12–$22 per linear foot. Pool barrier aluminum: $26–$44 per linear foot. Permit fees notified after approval.

What happens if you skip the permit in Murfreesboro

All fences in Murfreesboro require permits — there are no exemptions. Unpermitted fences are subject to code enforcement and HOA enforcement in governed communities. After-the-fact permits require 2 weeks processing. Contact Building and Codes at 615-893-3750 for guidance.

Common questions

Based on publicly available information as of April 2026. Always confirm with the local building department. Get a personalized permit report →

Murfreesboro, TN building permit process — what to know

Murfreesboro Building and Codes processes residential permit applications submitted by email or in-person at City Hall at 111 W. Vine Street. The 2-week processing standard for residential permits reflects the department's workload from one of Tennessee's fastest-growing cities. For most residential projects, the email submission option is the most convenient starting point — download the appropriate application form from murfreesborotn.gov/540, fill it out completely, include a Plot Plan or GIS Map showing the work location on the property, and submit by email with your contact information prominently included. The department will contact you at the email address provided once the application is reviewed and approved, notifying you of the permit fee amount and payment options.

Murfreesboro's rapid growth from approximately 80,000 residents in 2000 to over 170,000 today has created a strong residential construction market in Middle Tennessee. The city sits at the geographic intersection of major transportation corridors (I-24, US-41, and multiple State Routes) and serves as a bedroom community for Nashville approximately 33 miles to the northwest, while also maintaining its own significant healthcare, education, and manufacturing employment base. This economic foundation supports healthy residential permit activity and a robust local contractor market. Middle Tennessee contractors familiar with Murfreesboro's 2018 Building Code requirements, Middle Tennessee climate considerations, and the local subcontractor relationships needed for efficient project delivery are readily available throughout the Rutherford County area.

Murfreesboro Electric is the city's publicly-owned electric utility — a community-owned utility separate from the Tennessee Valley Authority's direct service area and distinct from the private investor-owned utilities serving other parts of Tennessee. Murfreesboro Electric provides residential electric service at competitive rates and may offer efficiency incentive programs for qualifying equipment. Contact murfreesboroelectric.com for current programs. Atmos Energy (1-888-286-6700) is the natural gas provider for Murfreesboro's residential customers. Tennessee 811 (call 811) is required before any excavation throughout Murfreesboro — both Murfreesboro Electric and Atmos Energy bury service lines throughout the city's residential neighborhoods, and striking a utility line without a proper 811 locate creates legal liability and dangerous safety hazards. Contact Building and Codes at 615-893-3750 for current permit fees, current processing timelines, and answers to questions about your specific project's permit requirements in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The Historic Zoning District and historic overlay areas in Murfreesboro add an important pre-application step for some homeowners. The Historic Zoning Commission meets at 3:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month to review applications for building or demolition permits within the historic district overlay. If your property is within or adjacent to a historic district overlay — which encompasses portions of downtown Murfreesboro and surrounding older neighborhoods — contact the Planning Department at 615-893-6441 before submitting any permit applications to understand whether HZC review is required and what the design guidelines are for your property. Getting HZC pre-approval before investing in detailed design drawings avoids the costly redesign that results when HZC feedback requires significant changes to plans that have already been completed. For properties outside historic overlays — which is the majority of Murfreesboro's newer residential neighborhoods — no HZC review is needed and the permit process follows the standard 2-week residential timeline.

Contact Murfreesboro Building and Codes at 615-893-3750 for current permit fees, current processing timelines, and answers to any questions about your specific project's permit requirements. For online information about Murfreesboro's residential permit process, available application forms, and the Building and Codes Department, visit murfreesborotn.gov/101/Building-Codes or murfreesborotn.gov/540/Permit-Center. Submit permit applications by email to the Building and Codes Department or in-person at City Hall, 111 W. Vine Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130, during regular business hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tennessee's broader licensing landscape for contractors working in Murfreesboro includes state licensing boards for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work. Verify that any contractor you hire holds the appropriate Tennessee license for the trade work they will perform on your project. For plumbing work, Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance issues plumbing contractor licenses. For electrical work, licensed electrical contractors hold state electrical licenses. For HVAC work, Tennessee HVAC contractor licensing applies to commercial work. Contact Building and Codes at 615-893-3750 for guidance on contractor licensing requirements for your specific project scope in Murfreesboro. Using properly licensed contractors ensures that work is insured, legally performed, and covered by the contractor's license bond if problems arise after project completion. Tennessee's owner-builder provisions allow homeowners to perform some trade work themselves on primary residences — contact 615-893-3750 for current homeowner permit availability for your specific project type.