Old fences on established Goodlettsville lots
Many older lots in Goodlettsville already have some kind of fence, and taking it out is the first part of the job. Chain link comes down fairly easily, but the posts are often set in concrete that has to be dug or broken out. Old wood fences often leave rotted post stubs in the ground, sometimes right where the new posts want to go. Neighbors matter here too. If the fence along the back was put up by the people next door, it may be theirs, and it may not sit on the property line at all.
Before you tear anything down, talk with the neighbor who shares the line. In some cases the old fence belongs to them and stays, and the new one goes just inside it. In others, both of you want the same privacy fence and can agree on the plan together. Either way, it saves an awkward conversation after work begins. Ask each fence company that bids whether removing and hauling off the old fence is part of the price, because it is easy to leave out.
Property lines come first
On a Goodlettsville lot that was laid out long ago, the corner pins may be buried or missing entirely. An old fence line or a row of shrubs is not proof of where the line runs. If you are not sure where your corners are, a survey is worth paying for before fence installation, and it usually costs less than moving a finished fence. Tennessee 811 also needs a call before anyone digs, so buried utility lines get marked. Newer subdivisions usually have a recorded plat to check against, but on older lots the paperwork can be thin. Our guide to fences and property lines explains the rest.
Privacy fences near Rivergate and busy roads
Some homes near the Rivergate area sit closer to shopping and heavier traffic than much of Goodlettsville, and a solid privacy fence is often the goal. Board on board is a good fit because the boards overlap. As the wood shrinks in dry weather, the gaps stay covered instead of opening up. Shadowbox looks about the same from both sides, which neighbors tend to appreciate, though it lets a little more view through at an angle. Our rundown of privacy fence options compares these styles.
Be realistic about noise. A wood fence blocks the view of the road and softens some sound, but it will not make a busy street quiet. Closing the gaps between boards and along the bottom matters as much as adding height. Height also runs into rules, since cities and HOAs often cap how tall a fence can be, so check the limit before you settle on a design.
Setting posts in Goodlettsville rock and clay
Posts are what keep a fence standing, and the ground in Goodlettsville does not always make them easy. Clay soil holds water around the base of a post, which is where wood fence posts usually rot first. Setting the post on a little gravel and crowning the concrete at the top so water runs off helps it last. In some yards, limestone shows up partway down a post hole. A post that hits rock can be drilled in or moved a short distance, but it should not be left short. Every post along the line needs the same depth, so one short post does not become the weak spot.
Fencing a sloped yard in Goodlettsville
Plenty of Goodlettsville backyards slope, some gently and some enough to notice from the back door. On a slope, a fence can be stepped, with each section level and dropping down like stairs. It can also be racked, where the rails follow the angle of the ground. Stepped sections leave triangle gaps at the bottom that a small dog can squeeze through. Racked sections follow the grade more closely but only work with certain styles. If you have a dog, plan how to close those gaps before the fence goes in. The guide on fencing a sloped yard has more on picking between the two.
HOA rules and permits for a Goodlettsville fence
In newer Goodlettsville subdivisions, the HOA usually decides which fence styles are allowed and how far forward along the side of the house a fence can go. Many require the finished side to face out toward the neighbors and the street. Send the request with a simple drawing and a photo of the style you want. Then wait for written approval before any posts go in, since pulling out a fence the committee rejects costs real money.
Permits are a separate question. Some offices require one for a fence and some do not, and a pool in the yard can bring extra rules. Pool barriers have their own rules about gates and latches. A Goodlettsville address can fall under more than one codes office depending on the county line, so call the one that covers your lot and ask before you schedule fence installation.
Goodlettsville fence questions
Do I need a permit to put up a fence in Goodlettsville?
It depends on where your lot falls. Inside city limits, the City of Goodlettsville codes office says a fence does not need a permit from its building department, but it asks you to call about setback and height rules. On the Davidson side outside the city, Metro Nashville sets the rules, and on the Sumner side the county or a neighboring city may. A short call with your address answers it, and it is worth making before any holes are dug.
Can my new fence go on the same line as the old chain link?
Maybe, but do not assume the old line is right. Chain link on older Goodlettsville lots may have gone up without a survey, and it can sit off the true line in either direction. If the corner pins can be found, measure from them. If not, a survey settles it. Setting the new fence slightly inside your own line is a common way to avoid arguments later.
Will a privacy fence cut the noise from traffic near Rivergate?
Some, but not a lot. A wood privacy fence blocks sight lines well, and that alone can make a yard feel calmer. Sound bends over and around a fence, though, so you will still hear the road. Solid board on board with no gap at the bottom does better than an open style. Shrubs planted on your side add more screening, though they do little for sound.
What happens to tree roots along my fence line?
On established Goodlettsville lots with big shade trees, roots run close to the surface near the trunk. A post hole that hits a small root is fine. A big one is a different story, and cutting it can hurt the tree or even make it less stable. The usual fix is to shift the post a little and adjust the spacing of that section. If a large tree sits right on the line, run the fence a bit off the trunk so the tree has room to grow.
When should I stain a new wood fence?
New pressure treated pine is often still wet from the treatment, and stain does not soak in well until it dries. Many stain makers suggest waiting a while after fence installation. A simple test helps: sprinkle water on a board, and if it soaks in, the wood is ready. Cedar is usually drier and can be stained sooner. In humid Goodlettsville summers, ask about a stain with mildew resistance, especially for sections in shade.
