GeorgiaFence Rules

Fulton County

Fence Rules in Sandy Springs, Georgia

Last verified: August 28, 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 Sandy Springs, the maximum fence height is typically 8 ft in side and rear yards and 4 ft in front yards.

Required for a new fence, a wall that doesn't hold back earth, a walk-through gate, or a replacement that changes placement, height, materials or design; Not required: temporary construction fencing. A pool enclosure fence is approved with the pool permit.

On corner lots in Sandy Springs: 3 ft max for a fence, wall or hedge inside the corner sight triangle; The sight triangle is the corner area formed by the two street-side lot lines and a line joining points 20 ft back from where those lines meet; Outside that triangle the normal height limits apply.

Pool fences in Sandy Springs: Every pool must be completely enclosed before it is finished; Georgia's state pool code sets the barrier: 48 in minimum; Gate latch release: at least 54 in high where it is reached from outside the barrier and does not self-lock; The pool enclosure is approved with the pool permit; no separate fence permit needed.

Fence setbacks in Sandy Springs: None. A fence may be built to the property line, but the footings must sit entirely on your own property; A fence in the street right-of-way needs a permit from the Department of Public Works: Code of Ordinances Sec. 50-25.

Prohibited fence materials in Sandy Springs: Electric and electrified fences; Any fence made only of horizontal metal wires; Barbed wire, razor wire and concertina wire; Solid vinyl fencing. An existing vinyl fence may be replaced in kind; Vinyl coating on chain link is required, not banned; Electric and horizontal-wire fences: Code of Ordinances Sec. 38-65.

Fence Regulations

Sandy Springs

Apply for Permit
Permit Requirements
Required for a new fence, a wall that doesn't hold back earth, a walk-through gate, or a replacement that changes placement, height, materials or design. Not required: temporary construction fencing. A pool enclosure fence is approved with the pool permit. Rebuild or repair 50% or more of a fence's length and the whole fence must be brought up to current standards: Sec. 11.7.3.E. A wall that holds back earth needs a retaining wall permit instead, an automatic or electrically operated driveway gate needs a building permit, and a fence with electrical equipment also needs an electrical permit. An electric or electrified fence is prohibited citywide and cannot be permitted: Code of Ordinances Sec. 38-65. Submit fence, gate and pier details: height, design, materials, dimensions and color. A site plan or survey showing the fence location is preferred. If you do not have one, contact staff for application assistance. An owner or agent affidavit applies depending on who files. Fences taller than 7 ft are inspected. Community Development: 770-730-5600
Height - Front Yard
4 ft max for a solid or privacy-style fence or wall between the street and the front of your house. Taller is allowed with a Director-approved open picket design: gaps at least 2 in wide, pickets at least twice as wide as the gaps (or as wide as the gaps for horizontal designs).
Height - Side/Rear
8 ft max above the ground, and the fence may be solid. This covers every fence or wall other than one between the street and the front of the house, including side and back yard fences.
Height Notes
Height is measured from finished grade to the highest point between columns or posts. Columns and ornaments may rise up to 3 ft above the limit.
Pool Fences
View Pool Fence Safety Requirements
Corner Lots
3 ft max for a fence, wall or hedge inside the corner sight triangle. The sight triangle is the corner area formed by the two street-side lot lines and a line joining points 20 ft back from where those lines meet. Outside that triangle the normal height limits apply. A fence, wall, hedge or other vegetation must also not impair or block a driver's vision so as to create a safety hazard, not block lines of sight for public safety and law enforcement, and not impede the flow of water or the normal pattern of natural wildlife. Sight triangle: Technical Manual Sec. 3.F.7.
Materials Allowed
Fences: wood and/or metal (ornamental metal). Walls: solid at the base (at least 1 ft of solid height) in brick, stone, stucco or another durable solid material, with metal or wood pickets allowed on top. Other durable materials need Director approval. Chain link: side and back yards only, not parallel to a street, and it must be vinyl coated.
Materials Prohibited
Electric and electrified fences. Any fence made only of horizontal metal wires. Barbed wire, razor wire and concertina wire. Solid vinyl fencing. An existing vinyl fence may be replaced in kind. Vinyl coating on chain link is required, not banned. Electric and horizontal-wire fences: Code of Ordinances Sec. 38-65.
Historic Districts
No historic-district fence rule in the city code.
Setbacks
None. A fence may be built to the property line, but the footings must sit entirely on your own property. A fence in the street right-of-way needs a permit from the Department of Public Works: Code of Ordinances Sec. 50-25.
Design Requirements
Finished side faces the street and neighboring properties, away from whatever the fence screens. A fence or wall 6 ft or taller running parallel to a street, between the right-of-way and the building setback line, needs a 3 ft landscape strip between it and the street. A street-facing wall between the right-of-way and the building setback line needs columns or similar variation about every 24 ft to break up long blank stretches. Residential Estate districts: a street-facing fence between the right-of-way and the building setback line also needs masonry piers of brick, stone or stucco, at least 12 in wide, about every 24 ft and wherever the fence turns.
Gates
Must open inward, toward the property. At least 30 ft from the edge of the pavement. May be up to 3 ft taller than the fence or wall they attach to. A stand-alone driveway gate needs masonry piers (brick, stone or stucco) on both sides. Streets, public or private, cannot be gated. A residential driveway gate needs emergency access approved by the fire marshal's office.
Floodplain Rules
Prohibited in the regulatory floodway. Allowed in the Future Conditions Floodway only with engineer-certified open area, engineer-certified anchored posts, and an approved no-rise certification (Sec. 9.5.3.E).
Color Restrictions
Black, white or earth tones only. No primary or neon colors.
Source
Sandy Springs Development Code Sec. 8.3.10
Notes
Governed by Development Code Sec. 8.3.10. Community Development: 770-730-5600

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 Fulton County

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

All Fulton County fence rules →

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