GeorgiaFence Rules

Gilmer County

Fence Rules in East Ellijay, Georgia

Last verified: October 22, 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 East Ellijay, fence height limits are: front yards, An ornamental fence or wall may stand in the front yard setback up to 6 ft. The code does not define ornamental; ask before building any other fence there; side and rear yards, An ornamental fence or wall may stand in a side or back yard setback up to 6 ft. The same undefined term applies.

Unconfirmed for fences: the zoning code requires a permit from the city Building Inspector before building any structure, defined broadly enough to cover a fence, but the permit rule never names fences, so ask before you build; Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer, City Hall · 706-276-3111 ext. 105; 107 East Oak Street, East Ellijay, GA 30540.

On corner lots in East Ellijay: Where two streets, a street and a driveway, or a street and a railroad meet, no fence, wall, shrub or other obstruction may stand between 2 1/2 ft and 10 ft above the street within 20 ft of the point where the right-of-way lines meet. This applies in every district. Mailboxes are exempt.

Pool fences in East Ellijay: City rule: leave a walk space at least 3 ft wide between the pool wall and the pool fence or barrier wall; 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.

Fence setbacks in East Ellijay: Fences may be allowed in any yard if they create no traffic safety hazard; see corner lots for the clear zone at street corners and driveways.

Prohibited fence materials in East Ellijay: None. The zoning code bans no fence material, barbed wire included.

Fence Regulations

East Ellijay

Permit Requirements
Unconfirmed for fences: the zoning code requires a permit from the city Building Inspector before building any structure, defined broadly enough to cover a fence, but the permit rule never names fences, so ask before you build. Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer, City Hall · 706-276-3111 ext. 105 107 East Oak Street, East Ellijay, GA 30540
Height - Front Yard
An ornamental fence or wall may stand in the front yard setback up to 6 ft. The code does not define ornamental; ask before building any other fence there.
Height - Side/Rear
An ornamental fence or wall may stand in a side or back yard setback up to 6 ft. The same undefined term applies.
Height Notes
The 6 ft cap is written for a fence or wall the code calls ornamental, a term it does not define. The code keeps other accessory structures, such as sheds and garages, out of the front yard setback. Ask the Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer whether a plain wood privacy or chain-link fence counts as ornamental. At a street corner or driveway, see corner lots.
Pool Fences
View Pool Fence Safety Requirements
Corner Lots
Where two streets, a street and a driveway, or a street and a railroad meet, no fence, wall, shrub or other obstruction may stand between 2 1/2 ft and 10 ft above the street within 20 ft of the point where the right-of-way lines meet. This applies in every district. Mailboxes are exempt.
Materials Prohibited
None. The zoning code bans no fence material, barbed wire included.
Historic Districts
None. The zoning code creates no historic district and no historic design review.
Setbacks
Fences may be allowed in any yard if they create no traffic safety hazard; see corner lots for the clear zone at street corners and driveways.
Design Requirements
Commercial or industrial district next to a residential one: the commercial or industrial side keeps a 15 ft planted buffer strip, unless the uses on both sides are alike. Buffer fence, if one is used: at least 8 ft, wood or chain link with inserts blocking 90% of the view, on the buffer's edge nearest the commercial or industrial use. Buffer wall, if one is used: masonry, at least 8 ft, on that same edge. Solid waste facility: fully screened by a completely opaque fence at least 6 ft tall. East Ellijay Zoning Ordinance Sec. 405; Ord. 2025-06
Gates
None. The zoning code sets no gate rule. Pool gates follow the state pool code.
Floodplain Rules
The zoning code has no flood rule. A separate flood damage prevention ordinance had its first reading in August 2026 and was set for a public hearing and second reading in September 2026; its text is not published, so ask City Hall whether it covers fences.
Color Restrictions
None. The zoning code sets no fence color rule.
Source
East Ellijay Zoning Ordinance (2003) Secs. 406, 801, 1002
Notes
Governed by the city's own zoning ordinance of October 2003 (amended 2023 to 2025), posted on the city website; the city's code is not yet published in codified form online. It allows an ornamental fence up to 6 ft and keeps intersections clear between 2 1/2 and 10 ft. The City of Ellijay and Gilmer County rules do not apply. Pool barriers follow Georgia's state pool code. Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer · 706-276-3111 ext. 105 · 107 East Oak Street, East Ellijay, GA 30540

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 Gilmer County

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

All Gilmer County fence rules →

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