GeorgiaFence Rules

Bartow County

Fence Rules in Cartersville, Georgia

Last verified: August 29, 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 Cartersville, the maximum fence height is typically 8 ft in side and rear yards and 4 ft in front yards.

Required only in a designated historic district, or for chain link in a front yard; Historic district: the Historic Preservation Commission must approve the fence before you build (Code Sec. 9.25-34); Front yard chain link: a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals; Otherwise the code is unclear. Call Planning & Development: 770-387-5600.

On corner lots in Cartersville: Sight triangle: nothing over 3 ft within 20 ft of where two streets meet. The downtown DBD district is exempt; Behind the house: a solid fence up to 8 ft is allowed, if it is behind the front setback and not along a collector or arterial street; Same allowance if a street runs along the back of your lot.

Pool fences in Cartersville: Barrier rules come from the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2018 edition, as adopted by Georgia; Cartersville amends it in Code Sec. 6-162: a powered safety cover does not exempt a swimming pool from the barrier requirement. Only a spa or hot tub with a lockable ASTM F1346 cover is exempt.

Fence setbacks in Cartersville: No set distance; A fence may not block drivers' vision or create a traffic hazard, and the corner sight triangle applies; Planning & Development: 770-387-5600.

Prohibited fence materials in Cartersville: No razor wire; No exposed concrete block, tires, junk or discarded materials; Chain link in a front yard: not allowed in the P-D, PC-D, N-C and Main Street Overlay districts, and needs a Board of Zoning Appeals variance elsewhere; Main Street Overlay: no solid fences along a public street.

Fence Regulations

Cartersville

Apply for Permit
Permit Requirements
Required only in a designated historic district, or for chain link in a front yard. Historic district: the Historic Preservation Commission must approve the fence before you build (Code Sec. 9.25-34). Front yard chain link: a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Otherwise the code is unclear. Call Planning & Development: 770-387-5600.
Height - Front Yard
4 ft max, in all residential and commercial districts. A front-yard fence must also be decorative and see-through (not solid).
Height - Side/Rear
8 ft max, in all residential and commercial districts. Industrial districts: 8 ft in every yard.
Height Notes
How height is measured is not specified. Detention-pond fencing is exempt from the fence standards.
Pool Fences
View Pool Fence Safety Requirements
Corner Lots
Sight triangle: nothing over 3 ft within 20 ft of where two streets meet. The downtown DBD district is exempt. Behind the house: a solid fence up to 8 ft is allowed, if it is behind the front setback and not along a collector or arterial street. Same allowance if a street runs along the back of your lot.
Materials Allowed
Front yard: brick, stone, wood, wrought iron, split rail, or another decorative material the zoning administrator approves. It must be decorative and see-through. Chain link in a side or back yard: allowed, no variance needed. P-D planned development, PC-D planned commercial and N-C neighborhood commercial districts: chain link is capped at 5 ft and must be vinyl-coated hunter green or black.
Materials Prohibited
No razor wire. No exposed concrete block, tires, junk or discarded materials. Chain link in a front yard: not allowed in the P-D, PC-D, N-C and Main Street Overlay districts, and needs a Board of Zoning Appeals variance elsewhere. Main Street Overlay: no solid fences along a public street.
Historic Districts
Five designated historic districts: Downtown Business, Olde Town, West End, Cherokee-Cassville and Granger Hill. Inside one, the Historic Preservation Commission must approve a new fence before you build, under Code Sec. 9.25-34. Staff can approve it on the city's historic preservation administrative review form if the fence meets the zoning ordinance. Anything else needs a Certificate of Preservation from the commission. Fee: 25 dollars. Decision: within 45 days. Main Street Overlay District, which is separate from the historic districts: no chain link in front yards, chain link where allowed must be vinyl-coated hunter green, brown or black, and no solid fences along a public street. Call Planning & Development to check whether you are in a district or the overlay: 770-387-5600
Setbacks
No set distance. A fence may not block drivers' vision or create a traffic hazard, and the corner sight triangle applies. Planning & Development: 770-387-5600
Design Requirements
No finished-side rule. A front-yard fence must be decorative and not solid, and no fence in any district may block vision or endanger traffic.
Color Restrictions
P-D planned development, PC-D planned commercial and N-C neighborhood commercial districts: chain link must be vinyl-coated hunter green or black. Main Street Overlay District: chain link must be vinyl-coated hunter green, brown or black. No color rule in the other districts.
Source
Cartersville Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.16
Notes
Governed by the Cartersville Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.16. Planning & Development: 770-387-5600, 10 N Public Square

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 Bartow County

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

All Bartow County fence rules →

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