New subdivisions and the yards that come with them
Mount Juliet has grown fast, and much of that growth has come as new subdivisions, many of them with an HOA. When a builder finishes a house, the yard usually gets sod plus a small patio or a basic deck. A fence is rarely included. That means a lot of Mount Juliet homeowners start with open grass and not much else.
New Mount Juliet yards come with a few quirks worth knowing. Soil near the foundation was dug out and pushed back during construction, so it can be softer than the ground farther out. Lots are usually graded to move water toward a swale on the back or side line, which is often right where a fence would go. Young trees mean little shade, so a new deck in Mount Juliet may sit in direct sun most of the afternoon.
Homes on the slope down to Old Hickory Lake
Old Hickory Lake runs along the north side of Mount Juliet, and homes near it often sit on ground that falls toward the water. On those lots a deck off the main floor can stand well above the yard, with long posts and a tall run of stairs. A fence on the same slope has to step down the hill or follow it, and either way the bottom edge needs attention so pets cannot slip under.
The shoreline raises its own question. Around much of Old Hickory Lake, the land right along the water is federal property that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages, and it is not part of the private lot beside it. Fences and decks generally are not allowed on that land without Corps permission. If your Mount Juliet yard runs toward the lake, find your boundary on the survey before you plan anything near the water.
Decks for Mount Juliet homes
Deck work in Mount Juliet tends to fall into two groups. One is replacing or enlarging the small deck a builder added to a newer house. The other is building a deck where there is only a patio or a door with a short set of steps. Both start below the boards, with footings dug into firm soil and a solid connection to the house. Our deck builder page for Mount Juliet goes deeper on footings in new build dirt and on decks for lake lots.
Fences for Mount Juliet yards
Fence projects in Mount Juliet usually start with privacy or a dog. Houses in newer Mount Juliet subdivisions sit fairly close together, so a privacy fence along the back and sides makes a real difference in how the yard feels. The planning starts with your plat, which shows the lot lines and any easements along them. Neighbors also fence at different times, so it helps to decide early how your fence will meet theirs. The Mount Juliet fence company page goes through setting posts in local clay and rock, along with HOA rules.
Approval and permits before anyone digs
Many Mount Juliet subdivisions have an HOA, and most HOAs want to review a deck or fence before it goes up. Whether you live in Providence or on a street closer to the lake, check whether covenants apply to your lot before you plan. Expect to send a drawing that shows placement on the lot along with the material and color. Some review committees meet only on a set schedule, so approval can take a while. Our guide to getting HOA approval for a fence or deck shows how to put together a clean submission.
Permits are a separate step. A Mount Juliet mailing address does not always mean the house is inside city limits, and homes in unincorporated Wilson County go through the county instead of the city. Deck and fence rules can differ between the two, so confirm with the codes office that covers your address. Before any digging, call Tennessee 811 so buried utility lines get marked.
Mount Juliet deck and fence questions
How do I know if my home is inside Mount Juliet city limits?
Your mailing address will not always tell you. Some homes with a Mount Juliet address sit in unincorporated Wilson County. The quickest answer is to call the city or county codes office and give them your address. It matters because the permit office, and sometimes the rules for decks and fences, depend on which side of the line your lot falls.
Can I build a deck or fence all the way to Old Hickory Lake?
Usually not all the way. On many lake lots in the Mount Juliet area, the land nearest the water is federal property managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Private decks and fences are generally not allowed there without Corps permission. Your survey or plat shows where your lot stops. Plan the project inside that line, and take any question about the shoreline strip to the Corps directly.
What should I have ready before asking for an estimate?
A copy of your plat or survey is the most useful thing, since it shows lot lines and easements. If you have an HOA, keep its deck and fence rules handy. A few photos from the back door and from the far corners of the yard show the slope. With those in hand, it is easier to price your actual yard. When you are ready, request an estimate below.