GeorgiaFence Rules

Franklin County

Fence Rules in Lavonia, Georgia

Last verified: October 23, 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 Lavonia, fence height limits are: front yards, 3 ft max in a home's required front yard. Home front setbacks: 30 ft from the street right-of-way, or match the existing setbacks in a built-up subdivision; Side and back yards on a home lot: 8 ft max. Within 60 ft of a street intersection, nothing between 3 ft and 12 ft may block the view; see corner lots.

Required for any fence, from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Home fence fee: $150; work done without a permit pays 200% of the fee. A front-yard fence on a home lot needs commission approval with a picture of the fence and a property survey. Ask City Hall whether a side or back fence permit is issued at the counter; City Hall · 706-356-8781.

On corner lots in Lavonia: Outside the B-1 downtown business district, nothing may block the view between 3 ft and 12 ft above the ground within 60 ft of where two street centerlines meet, or a street centerline meets a railroad; Lavonia Code Sec. 102-91.

Pool fences in Lavonia: 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 Lavonia: None. Fences are allowed in every district and are exempt from zoning setbacks; see corner lots for the intersection rule.

Prohibited fence materials in Lavonia: Electric and barbed wire fences in all residential areas.

Fence Regulations

Lavonia

Apply for Permit
Permit Requirements
Required for any fence, from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Home fence fee: $150; work done without a permit pays 200% of the fee. A front-yard fence on a home lot needs commission approval with a picture of the fence and a property survey. Ask City Hall whether a side or back fence permit is issued at the counter. City Hall · 706-356-8781 12221 Augusta Road, Lavonia, GA 30553
Height - Front Yard
3 ft max in a home's required front yard. Home front setbacks: 30 ft from the street right-of-way, or match the existing setbacks in a built-up subdivision.
Height - Side/Rear
Side and back yards on a home lot: 8 ft max. Within 60 ft of a street intersection, nothing between 3 ft and 12 ft may block the view; see corner lots.
Height Notes
Subdivision entrance walls or fences: 12 ft max (the code's sentence is missing a word), with commission approval of the plans. Privacy and security walls count as fences under these rules. Business and industrial districts: the fence section sets no height limit, but the intersection rule still applies outside the B-1 downtown district. The code does not say how fence height is measured.
Pool Fences
View Pool Fence Safety Requirements
Corner Lots
Outside the B-1 downtown business district, nothing may block the view between 3 ft and 12 ft above the ground within 60 ft of where two street centerlines meet, or a street centerline meets a railroad. Lavonia Code Sec. 102-91
Materials Allowed
Front-yard fence on a home lot: natural or simulated wood, brick columns, fiberglass or decorative ornamental iron only, with pickets at least 2 in apart.
Materials Prohibited
Electric and barbed wire fences in all residential areas.
Historic Districts
Where: designated local historic properties and districts, shown on the city's Historic District Map. Rule: building, changing or removing a fence there needs a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission before a building permit can issue. Exterior paint, and ordinary repair that keeps the same design, materials and look, are exempt. The city also has four National Register districts; that federal listing alone does not trigger this review. Lavonia Code Secs. 54-2, 54-91, 54-131
Setbacks
None. Fences are allowed in every district and are exempt from zoning setbacks; see corner lots for the intersection rule.
Design Requirements
Finished side faces out. A fence may not block neighbors' view as they enter or leave a street, must leave access for garbage pickup, utility meters and mail, and may not interfere with required parking. Front-yard fences are kept up by the owner or occupant; fences along subdivision common areas by the homeowners association or residents.
Gates
None for a home fence. Pool gates follow the state pool code.
Floodplain Rules
The city's code online has no floodplain rule for fences; a soil erosion section refers to a flood damage prevention ordinance that is not published there. Ask City Hall before building in a mapped flood zone.
Color Restrictions
Front-yard fence on a home lot: natural wood colors, neutral colors such as white, beige, ivory, cream or off-white, black or dark green wrought iron, or the house's facade color.
Source
Lavonia Code Sec. 102-92
Notes
Governed by the city's own zoning code, which covers both the Franklin County and Hart County parts of the city, plus historic review in designated districts. City Hall · 706-356-8781 · Planning and Zoning Administrator · 706-460-5706 12221 Augusta Road, Lavonia, GA 30553

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 Franklin County

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

All Franklin County fence rules →

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