I am a resident/homeowner of Rucker Landing, located in Murfreesboro, TN, Rutherford County, and the proud owner of four dogs. My backyard is their playground and their sanctuary. However, current fencing regulations limit the space they can freely enjoy. This is not just my problem; it affects many pet owners in our community.

Rucker Landing's current fencing regulations are restrictive and overly limited. They do not take into account the pricing or structural integrity of the required materials required to be used. There is only one material that is accepted, and it is highly expensive, less stable, and limited to layout changes. 

According to American Pet Products Association, 67% of U.S households own a pet which equates to 85 million families nationwide (2019-2020 APPA National Pet Owners Survey). A significant number of these families have more than one pet.

This does not mention the families who would love to have the privacy of their entire backyards for many different reasons, which ultimately doesn't matter because it is their property for which they should be able to do what they wish reasonably. 

Residents would be required to submit a fence affidavit to Rutherford County and receive approval from the county to ensure there are no fences within easements, site triangles, etc. 

We propose that the HOA review and reform these regulations to accommodate the Rutherford County ordinance. We believe this will enhance the quality of life in our beloved community while ensuring safety within our neighborhoods.

We urge fellow residents who care about each others' wellbeing to join us in pushing for this change. Your signature can make a difference in creating a more inclusive environment for Rucker Landing.

Current Rutherford County fence regulations are as follows 

Regulations Applicable to All Districts
A. Visibility at Intersections
On a corner lot in any district nothing shall be erected, placed, planted, or 
allowed to be grown in such a manner to impede the vision triangle as 
defined in Appendix A. 
Effective January 1, 2013, as Amended Through October 14, 2021
Rutherford County Zoning Ordinance Page 11-2
B. Fences, Walls, and Hedges
Notwithstanding other provisions of this ordinance, fences, walls, and 
hedges may be permitted in any required yard, or along the edge of any 
yard except as prohibited in Subsection 1101 A above. 
1. In any residential district, no fence or wall shall exceed eight (8) feet 
in height in side and rear yards. Fences in front yards may be eight 
(8) feet in height provided that fences within the required front yard 
(i.e. front setback) be of transparent construction (i.e. split rail, picket, 
chain link, etc.). Alternate Side Yards on corner lots will be treated 
as side yards for the purposes of this section. Tennis court fencing 
shall not exceed twelve (12) feet, and baseball backstops shall not 
exceed sixteen (16) feet.
In commercial or industrial districts, no fence or wall shall exceed 
fifteen (15) feet in height. Between the principal building and the 
street right-of-way, no fence or wall shall exceed six (6) feet in height.
The height of such fences and walls shall be measured from the 
finished grade to top of the individual sections. The finished grade 
shall not include measurements from the top of a berm.
2. Fences and walls shall be erected outside of the right-of-way or any 
public or private road or manner of ingress/egress junction with said 
roadways, except erected by a government agency. All fence 
posts/supports shall be set into the ground a minimum depth of two 
(2) feet. If conditions on the property (e.g. rock) make it difficult to 
comply with this requirement, alternative measures may be utilized 
after consultation with the Planning and Engineering Department and 
the Department of Building and Codes. In any event, adequate 
measures shall be employed in order to ensure the long-term stability 
of the fence. 
3. Permitted fences. The following types of fences are permitted in all 
zoning districts:
• Masonry or stone walls
• Ornamental iron
• Chain-link 
• Wood or Vinyl 
• Other materials may be considered on a case by case basis
4. Prohibited Fences. The following types of fences are prohibited:
• Fences constructed primarily or topped with barbed wire or 
razor wire, or deployed, raised, arranged or expanded in 
concertina form, except when used in conjunction with an 
agricultural use or purpose, non-residentially zoned property 
Effective January 1, 2013, as Amended Through October 14, 2021
Rutherford County Zoning Ordinance Page 11-3
or uses, and/or serving a public institution for public safety or 
special services.
• Fences carrying electrical current, except for the purpose of 
enclosing livestock for an agricultural use
• Fences constructed of readily flammable materials such as 
paper, cloth or canvas except for temporary fences required 
by law (e.g. drainage silt fencing)
• Fences or walls made of solid plywood, scrap lumber and 
insubstantial similar non-customary materials
• Fences or walls made of common concrete or cinderblock, 
unless finished with a masonry material.
• Fences, wall or hedges on any portion of any public right-ofway, except fences erected by a governmental agency
5. Fences shall be positioned so that all the support wood, posts, cross 
members, etc. will not be facing the street.
6. Five (5) feet of clearance shall be maintained between any fence and 
all sides of an electrical transformer, except the side of the 
transformer that is padlocked shall have a ten (10) foot clearance.
7. Five (5) feet of clearance shall be maintained between any fence and 
all sides of an electrical pedestal.
8. Maintenance. It is the responsibility of the owner of the property on 
which the fence is erected to maintain the fence structure in good 
repair at all times. If a fence is found to be in a deteriorated condition 
or in need of repair, including but not limited to broken or missing 
structural components, or the fence is substantially less that 
perpendicular to the grade, the property owner may be ordered to 
repair, replace or remove the fence depending on the condition of 
the fence. Such order shall be issued by the Director of Building and 
Codes pursuant to this ordinance. 
9. Fences, walls or vegetation that interfere with clear vision (i.e. Vision 
Triangle, as defined by this Ordinance) at or near a public or private 
street, alley, driveway or other means of ingress or egress such that 
the sight of oncoming vehicular or pedestrian traffic is impaired for 
users of such ingress or egress are prohibited.
10. Fences, walls or vegetation so constructed or planted as to impede
the natural water drainage and/or water runoff are prohibited.
11. Fences shall not be permitted in utility easements unless approved 
by the utility provider in writing. Fences shall not be permitted in 
drainage easements without the written consent of the County 
Engineer