Will command blocks still execute outside server render distance?

If I trigger a command block to summon a redstone block 5 chunks away, (which subsequently triggers several other command blocks) but the server render distance is set to 4 chunks, will the redstone block still be summoned and execute the other command blocks?

If the chunk in question is not loaded, then no. Commands like /fill and /setblock cannot affect unloaded chunks, and will fail with an error message.

Some options:

• Ensure that the chunks will be loaded, either by putting the command blocks in the spawn chunks or by building a chunk loader of some kind.
• Instead of using command blocks, use functions. I recommend this option, as functions have much better performance than command blocks and are easier to edit once you get started. Then, instead of placing a redstone block, you can just do /function my_namespace:my_function to run your commands.