GeorgiaFence Rules

Cobb County

Fence Rules in Austell, Georgia

Last verified: August 31, 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 Austell, fence height limits are: front yards, 6 ft max in a residential district; Most side and back yards: 8 ft max; In a residential district, if that side or the back of your lot runs along a street: 6 ft max inside the required setback from that street.

Required only for a fence over 7 ft. Anything 7 ft or under is expressly exempt from the building permit requirement; Community Development, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Rd., Suite 141: 770-944-4309, permits@austellga.gov.

On corner lots in Austell: Two rules apply; Nothing between 3 ft and 15 ft tall within 20 ft of where two street rights-of-way meet (utility poles, streetlights, street signs and tree trunks exempt); Separately, in any district, nothing over 3 ft within 15 ft of the intersection.

Pool fences in Austell: No city rule of its own. Pool barriers follow the state-adopted construction and property maintenance codes the city takes up.

Fence setbacks in Austell: Never in a public right-of-way, including land reserved for a future street; No setback from your property line is required.

Prohibited fence materials in Austell: None. The city code bans no fence material for residential property.

Fence Regulations

Austell

Apply for Permit
Permit Requirements
Required only for a fence over 7 ft. Anything 7 ft or under is expressly exempt from the building permit requirement. Community Development, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Rd., Suite 141: 770-944-4309, permits@austellga.gov
Height - Front Yard
6 ft max in a residential district.
Height - Side/Rear
Most side and back yards: 8 ft max. In a residential district, if that side or the back of your lot runs along a street: 6 ft max inside the required setback from that street.
Height Notes
The front yard is the strip between the street and the front setback line (Sec. 48-1), so a fence there is inside the required setback and capped at 6 ft in a residential district. Height includes posts and ornaments on top, must be met on both sides of the fence, and is measured from the existing ground. Retaining walls are not covered by these height limits. Where the code requires a fence, it must be finished before the house is occupied.
Pool Fences
View Pool Fence Safety Requirements
Corner Lots
Two rules apply. Nothing between 3 ft and 15 ft tall within 20 ft of where two street rights-of-way meet (utility poles, streetlights, street signs and tree trunks exempt). Separately, in any district, nothing over 3 ft within 15 ft of the intersection.
Materials Allowed
No restriction. The city code lists no approved materials for residential fences.
Materials Prohibited
None. The city code bans no fence material for residential property.
Historic Districts
No historic-district fence rule in the city code.
Setbacks
Never in a public right-of-way, including land reserved for a future street. No setback from your property line is required.
Design Requirements
No requirement. No finished-side rule, and no design, orientation or screening standard for a residential fence.
Gates
Not addressed in the city code.
Source
Austell Code Sec. 48-193(b)
Notes
Governed by City Code Sec. 48-193. Austell has its own rule; Cobb County's standards do not apply. Community Development, Suite 141: 770-944-4309

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 Cobb County

Fence rules change from one city and unincorporated area to the next. Compare Austell with nearby jurisdictions:

All Cobb County fence rules →

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