Gates and Gate Openers in Lebanon, TN
Gates take the most wear of any part of a fence. Ask for heavy hinges, a post that can carry the weight, and a latch that closes on its own if you have kids or a pool.
- Wood privacy fence. Wood is allowed in side and rear yards and is the common choice for backyards.
- Vinyl privacy fence. The city is moving to allow good vinyl in neutral colors on home lots, and vinyl handles damp weather well.
Lebanon rules that apply
Lebanon lists a fence permit with a $50 fee on its building permit fee schedule. The Building Inspection office handles it, and the Chief Building Official reviews building permits against the zoning code. Fences in the historic districts have extra rules. Call before you build to confirm the steps for your lot.
- Fences between the front of the house and the street can be up to 4 feet high in residential and mixed-use zones.
- Fences behind the front of the house can be up to 8 feet high in residential and mixed-use zones.
- On corner and double-frontage lots, a fence along the second street can be as tall as the front-yard limit, and it cannot run past the front face of the house.
- A fence must sit at least 15 feet back from the street pavement, unless it is 4 feet or lower and at least half see-through, or 2.5 feet or lower. It must not block the view at intersections or driveways.
- Allowed materials include wood, brick, stone, finished concrete, ornamental metal, and good vinyl in a neutral color like white, tan or clay. Chain link is allowed in black or dark green vinyl coating only where it is not seen from public view on home lots.
- Barbed wire, razor wire and electric fences are banned. Plain plastic, unfinished metal sheeting and unfinished concrete block are also banned.
- The finished side must face the street and your neighbors. Posts and rails go on your side.
- No fences in the 100-year floodplain. The lot must use landscaping to screen instead, with a landscape plan approved by the city.
- A fence cannot sit in a utility or drainage easement that is in use without written approval from the owner of the line. It cannot block an access easement.
- Fences in a historic district have extra rules under the Historic Preservation Overlay (Section 14.403).
- The city charges a $50 fence permit fee.
- Pool fences: 4 feet tall at least, self-closing and self-latching gate, no more than 3 inches of gap at the bottom, and 3 feet between the pool and the fence.