GeorgiaFence Rules

Fulton County

Fence Rules in Atlanta - LW Live Work, Georgia

Last verified: September 4, 2026

This page is maintained manually and may not reflect very recent ordinance changes. Always confirm current rules with your local permitting office.

For information only. Fence rules change frequently and this site may not reflect every requirement that applies to your property (HOA covenants, easements, variances, recent amendments). Always verify with your local permitting office before building. Full disclaimer

At a glance

In Atlanta - LW Live Work, fence height limits are: Homes next to the sidewalk: 42 in (3.5 ft) max for a fence between the house and the street; Any wall allowed around planting or lawn in that strip: 24 in max; side and rear yards, Between the building and a lot line not facing a street: 6 ft max.

Required for a new fence; The planning director must approve a special administrative permit before any building permit is issued. Submit a site plan, a landscape plan and elevation drawings of each outside wall. Sec. 16-33.003; A fence taller than the district allows needs a variance from the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

On corner lots in Atlanta - LW Live Work: Atlanta's standard sight-visibility rules apply.

Pool fences in Atlanta - LW Live Work: No district rule of its own. Atlanta's general requirements apply.

Fence setbacks in Atlanta - LW Live Work: No walls between the street and the building, except retaining walls and screening for loading areas.

Prohibited fence materials in Atlanta - LW Live Work: Barbed wire, razor wire and chain link may not be visible from a public plaza, outdoor dining area, sidewalk or right-of-way.

Fence Regulations

Atlanta - LW Live Work

Apply for Permit
Permit Requirements
Required for a new fence. The planning director must approve a special administrative permit before any building permit is issued. Submit a site plan, a landscape plan and elevation drawings of each outside wall. Sec. 16-33.003. A fence taller than the district allows needs a variance from the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
Height - Front Yard
Homes next to the sidewalk: 42 in (3.5 ft) max for a fence between the house and the street. Any wall allowed around planting or lawn in that strip: 24 in max.
Height - Side/Rear
Between the building and a lot line not facing a street: 6 ft max.
Height Notes
Businesses next to the sidewalk: no fence between the building and the sidewalk, except to enclose approved outdoor dining. Outdoor dining that extends onto the sidewalk: movable planters, fencing or other non-fixed barriers only, 36 in max including any plants, and only by special administrative permit. Sec. 16-33.006(2). A fence on top of a retaining wall near the street: 5 ft max combined.
Pool Fences
View Pool Fence Safety Requirements
Corner Lots
Atlanta's standard sight-visibility rules apply.
Materials Allowed
Not restricted in this district.
Materials Prohibited
Barbed wire, razor wire and chain link may not be visible from a public plaza, outdoor dining area, sidewalk or right-of-way.
Historic Districts
An LW property can also sit in a historic or landmark district. Those designations stay in force, are laid on top of the LW rules and control wherever the two disagree. Sec. 16-33.001. Part of the Inman Park Historic District is zoned LW. A new fence in a historic or landmark district needs a certificate of appropriateness from the Urban Design Commission.
Setbacks
No walls between the street and the building, except retaining walls and screening for loading areas.
Design Requirements
Where the lot adjoins a residential district: solid screening walls 6 ft tall are required.
Gates
Not addressed in the district rules.
Floodplain Rules
Atlanta's standard floodplain rules apply.
Source
Atlanta Code Sec. 16-33.012-16-33.013
Notes
Governed by the LW Live-Work district rules, Sec. 16-33.012 and 16-33.013. Stricter height limits than Atlanta's citywide code.

Rules can vary within a jurisdiction. Historic districts and zoning overlays often have stricter requirements. Look up your exact address to confirm which rules apply to your property.

Other jurisdictions in Fulton County

Fence rules change from one city and unincorporated area to the next. Compare Atlanta - LW Live Work with nearby jurisdictions:

All Fulton County fence rules →

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