GeorgiaFence Rules

Gwinnett County

Fence Rules in Berkeley Lake, 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 Berkeley Lake, the maximum fence height is typically 8 ft in side and rear yards and 4 ft in front yards.

Not required for a fence 6 ft or under, but a fence over 6 ft needs a building permit (Sec. 78-317(b)(2)); A pool barrier fence needs the pool construction permit at any height; Electrical, plumbing and grading permits may separately apply; City of Berkeley Lake, 4040 S. Berkeley Lake Rd. NW: (770) 368-9484 ext. 102.

On corner lots in Berkeley Lake: No corner-specific fence rule; Nothing between 3 ft and 15 ft tall (other than utility poles, light or street sign posts and tree trunks) within 20 ft of the corner where the right-of-way lines meet.

Pool fences in Berkeley Lake: 4 ft 6 in (54 in) minimum, taller than Georgia's 48 in state minimum; The pool must be fully enclosed, with gates at all openings, self-closing and self-latching devices at the top of each gate, rust-resistant heavy woven wire mesh (number 9 gauge minimum) or similar, and rot- or rust-resistant posts set in concrete.

Fence setbacks in Berkeley Lake: None for a home fence: the zoning setbacks don't prohibit a conforming fence; The 5 ft setback with a planted strip (one tree and eight shrubs per 50 ft) applies only to industrial front yard fences.

Prohibited fence materials in Berkeley Lake: No razor wire, filter fabric, plastic sheeting, plywood, or any material originally meant for another purpose; No chain link in front yards; Barbed wire: allowed only on top of back yard fences in industrial districts, at least 6 ft above the ground, so it is banned in every residential district.

Fence Regulations

Berkeley Lake

Apply for Permit
Permit Requirements
Not required for a fence 6 ft or under, but a fence over 6 ft needs a building permit (Sec. 78-317(b)(2)). A pool barrier fence needs the pool construction permit at any height. Electrical, plumbing and grading permits may separately apply. City of Berkeley Lake, 4040 S. Berkeley Lake Rd. NW: (770) 368-9484 ext. 102. If your neighborhood has covenants, check with the HOA or POA first.
Height - Front Yard
4 ft max. No chain link in the front yard.
Height - Side/Rear
8 ft max.
Height Notes
The fence rule was amended July 17, 2025. The code doesn't say how fence height is measured.
Pool Fences
View Pool Fence Safety Requirements
Corner Lots
No corner-specific fence rule. Nothing between 3 ft and 15 ft tall (other than utility poles, light or street sign posts and tree trunks) within 20 ft of the corner where the right-of-way lines meet.
Materials Allowed
Brick, masonry, stone, metal, wood, rigid plastic, composite or fiberglass, or another weather- and rot-resistant material made for permanent outdoor use. Wood must be cedar, redwood, pressure-treated pine or another decay-resistant wood. Temporary light wire or plastic mesh fencing is allowed for home gardens.
Materials Prohibited
No razor wire, filter fabric, plastic sheeting, plywood, or any material originally meant for another purpose. No chain link in front yards. Barbed wire: allowed only on top of back yard fences in industrial districts, at least 6 ft above the ground, so it is banned in every residential district.
Historic Districts
None. The city has no historic district, preservation commission or fence review requirement.
Setbacks
None for a home fence: the zoning setbacks don't prohibit a conforming fence. The 5 ft setback with a planted strip (one tree and eight shrubs per 50 ft) applies only to industrial front yard fences.
Design Requirements
Finished side out: posts and rails may not face a neighboring property or the street, unless the fence looks the same on both sides. Concrete block must have a decorative finish on any side facing a neighbor or the street. Build with weather- and rot-resistant materials made for permanent outdoor use. Barriers for erosion control, tree protection, or safety and security during construction are exempt from the fence rules.
Gates
No rule for ordinary fence gates. Pool gates: self-closing and self-latching, with the device at the top of the gate.
Source
Berkeley Lake Code Sec. 78-111 (amended 7-17-2025)
Notes
Governed by City Code Sec. 78-111, amended July 2025. City of Berkeley Lake, 4040 S. Berkeley Lake Rd. NW: (770) 368-9484 ext. 102

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 Gwinnett County

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

All Gwinnett County fence rules →

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