Fence Rules in Commerce, Georgia

In Commerce, fence height limits are: front yards, 4 ft max in the front yard and in any yard that runs along a public street, including both street sides of a corner lot; side and rear yards, Nothing over 6 ft 8 in past the front of the house, and only in a yard that does not run along a public street; a yard along a street stays at 4 ft.

Not required for a fence unless it needs an engineered foundation under the building code; then the Building Official must issue a permit before it goes up. The city fee schedule lists no fence permit fee. Temporary construction fencing is exempt from the fence rules. A pool needs a permit ($40).

On corner lots in Commerce: On a corner lot both street sides count as front yards, so a fence along either street is capped at 4 ft. The city's sight triangle rule reaches shrubs, trees and landscaping only and does not name fences.

Pool fences in Commerce: Barrier: 48 in tall minimum, measured from the outside. Gap under it: 2 in max over grass, 4 in over concrete; Gate: opens outward, self-closing and self-latching; Openings: 4 in max, or 1 3/4 in for chain link, lattice and any fence whose rails sit under 45 in apart, which puts its rails on the pool side.

Fence setbacks in Commerce: None. Fences are not subject to building or accessory-structure setbacks and may sit on the property line. A fence may not encroach on a public right-of-way without the Zoning Administrator's approval.

Prohibited fence materials in Commerce: Plywood, particle board, paper, plastic, plastic tarp, tires, pallets, garage doors, canvas, glass block, bottles, bamboo, recycled or discarded materials, or anything cast-off or secondhand not made for fencing. In residential zoning districts: hog wire, barbed wire, poultry netting and razor wire.