Fence Rules in Atlanta, Georgia

In Atlanta, fence height limits are: front yards, R-1 to R-5 (most single-family lots): 4 ft max, and at least 50% open, not solid; R-G: 4 ft max; All other districts: 9 ft max; side and rear yards, R-1 to R-5: 6 ft max. Drops to 4 ft where that side or the back of your lot runs along a street; R-G: 8 ft max; All other districts: 9 ft max.

Required. Issued by the Office of Buildings, Express Permits Division: 404-546-6907; A fence taller than the limits below needs a variance or special exception from the Board of Zoning Adjustment, applied for through the Office of Zoning and Development: 404-330-6145.

On corner lots in Atlanta: The yard along a second street counts as a front yard: 4 ft max in R-1 to R-5; Sight triangle: the first 20 ft along both edges of every street corner and every driveway, ends joined by a straight line; Inside it, nothing may block visibility between 2.5 ft and 8 ft above the sidewalk or road grade: no fence, wall or planting.

Pool fences in Atlanta: Barrier: 48 in minimum, measured on the side facing away from the pool. Georgia's state pool code sets this, not the city; Gate: self-closing and self-latching. Latch release at least 54 in up if it can be reached from outside the barrier and is not self-locking; Building permit and county health department plan approval required.

Fence setbacks in Atlanta: Fences go in the required yards on your own property and may not block visibility.

Prohibited fence materials in Atlanta: Barbed wire and razor wire: banned in every district along a public right-of-way, or along any private drive used by pedestrians; Electric fence: banned next to a public sidewalk, unless set at least 3 ft back from the sidewalk edge on private property, or protected by a barrier the city approves (Sec. 138-10).