Fence Rules in Harlem, Georgia

In Harlem, fence height limits are: front yards, No city fence height limit on an ordinary home lot. The only fence heights in the code belong to two mixed-use districts and to business uses; side and rear yards, No city fence height limit on an ordinary home lot.

Required for a fence over 3 ft; a fence 3 ft or under needs no permit, by the city's own handout. In a historic district a certificate of appropriateness comes first. The city also runs a free fence review for homes, to keep posts off water and sewer lines and fences out of public easements. Fence installers must register with the city.

On corner lots in Harlem: Nothing between 3 ft and 12 ft tall that blocks the view within 60 ft of the point where street centerlines cross, or where a street crosses a railroad, in every district except the B-1 downtown business district.

Pool fences in Harlem: 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 Harlem: The fence ordinance sets no distance from a property line; it keeps fences out of public easements and off water and sewer lines. Whether the 5 ft accessory-structure setback reaches fences is not settled in the code; ask the Community Development Director before building on the line.

Prohibited fence materials in Harlem: None in the city code, barbed wire included; Historic districts: the design guidelines call chain link, concrete block, split rail and railroad ties inappropriate for front yards.