GeorgiaFence Rules

Clayton County

Fence Rules in Forest Park, 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 Forest Park, fence height limits are: front yards, Under 4 ft for any fence or wall, and 2 ft for a decorative masonry wall; side and rear yards, Set by fence type. Chain link, privacy and ornamental fences and masonry screening walls: 6 ft max; Rail fence: 5 ft. Decorative masonry wall: 4 ft. Industrial fence: 8 ft.

Required for building, altering or moving any fence or wall, at any height; Not required for: repairs with no structural change, like-for-like replacement in the same spot, and adding a gate up to 8 ft wide to an existing fence; Apply online through the city's Tyler EnerGov portal, with a plot plan or lot survey and a fence drawing with dimensions.

On corner lots in Forest Park: No fence may block vision at any street intersection; the code sets no numeric sight triangle; A fence must sit on or inside your own property line, never in a public road right-of-way.

Pool fences in Forest Park: 4 ft minimum around any outdoor or family pool. No opening, hole or gap over 4 in, except at doors and gates. Picket spacing: 4 in max; A house or accessory building may form part of the enclosure; Gates and doors: self-closing and self-latching, except a house door that is part of the enclosure; Pool barriers: Sec. 8-2-83.

Fence setbacks in Forest Park: At least 2 ft from any right-of-way, measured from the property line or the existing street right-of-way line; The whole fence must sit inside your lot, but it may go on a side or back property line with written consent from every adjoining owner or a certified survey.

Prohibited fence materials in Forest Park: Sheet metal, plywood and anything else not made specifically for fences; Barbed wire and razor wire, in every district except industrial with the director's approval; High-voltage electric fences, citywide.

Fence Regulations

Forest Park

Apply for Permit
Permit Requirements
Required for building, altering or moving any fence or wall, at any height. Not required for: repairs with no structural change, like-for-like replacement in the same spot, and adding a gate up to 8 ft wide to an existing fence. Apply online through the city's Tyler EnerGov portal, with a plot plan or lot survey and a fence drawing with dimensions. A fence on a property line needs written consent from every adjoining owner or a certified survey. No fee is published. Latonya Turner, Permitting & Licensing Supervisor: 404-366-4720 ext. 520, permits@forestparkga.gov
Height - Front Yard
Under 4 ft for any fence or wall, and 2 ft for a decorative masonry wall.
Height - Side/Rear
Set by fence type. Chain link, privacy and ornamental fences and masonry screening walls: 6 ft max. Rail fence: 5 ft. Decorative masonry wall: 4 ft. Industrial fence: 8 ft.
Height Notes
Height is measured from the highest grade to the highest point of the fence, including posts and finials.
Pool Fences
View Pool Fence Safety Requirements
Corner Lots
No fence may block vision at any street intersection; the code sets no numeric sight triangle. A fence must sit on or inside your own property line, never in a public road right-of-way.
Materials Allowed
Decorative or conventional fence material only: chain link, wood, privacy, split rail, or materials such as brick.
Materials Prohibited
Sheet metal, plywood and anything else not made specifically for fences. Barbed wire and razor wire, in every district except industrial with the director's approval. High-voltage electric fences, citywide. Low-voltage electric fences: industrial districts only, 6 to 8 ft (up to 10 ft with a variance), at least 25 ft from property lines next to residential districts, and never enclosing a landscape buffer.
Historic Districts
In the Downtown Mainstreet district: fences along sidewalks marking off private property are capped at 42 in and must have openings; dumpster screening walls and fences must be at least 8 ft; fences along cemetery boundaries must be at least 40 percent see-through. Walls there must be brick, natural stone or cast stone, and fences must be wrought iron painted black. No chain link, vinyl fencing, or barbed or razor wire.
Setbacks
At least 2 ft from any right-of-way, measured from the property line or the existing street right-of-way line. The whole fence must sit inside your lot, but it may go on a side or back property line with written consent from every adjoining owner or a certified survey. Never in a public road right-of-way, and never in a drainage, utility, sidewalk, landscaping or access easement without the easement holder's written permission.
Design Requirements
Finished side faces out, toward the neighbors. Masonry walls must be finished the same on all sides.
Gates
Adding a gate up to 8 ft wide to an existing fence or wall, with no structural change, needs no permit. Pool gates and doors must be self-closing and self-latching, except a house door that is part of the pool enclosure.
Floodplain Rules
Standard floodplain regulations apply
Source
Forest Park Code Sec. 8-8-94
Notes
Governed by city code Sec. 8-8-94. Planning and Community Development: 404-366-4720; fence permits: Latonya Turner, ext. 520, permits@forestparkga.gov. The city's own website lists two street addresses, 745 and 785 Forest Parkway; call to confirm before visiting.

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 Clayton County

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

All Clayton County fence rules →

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