Fulton County
Fence Rules in Unincorporated Fulton County, Georgia
Last updated May 26, 2026
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
Fence Regulations
Unincorporated Fulton County
Permit Requirements
Agricultural fences in AG-1 exempt. Retaining walls 4-6 ft or over 6 ft have specific permit requirements.
Height - Front Yard
8 ft max (residential districts)
Height - Side/Rear
8 ft max (residential districts)
Height Notes
Ornamental columns and elements may exceed max height by up to 3 ft.
Pool Fences
Corner Lots
Must maintain visibility triangle per Subdivision Regulations
Materials Allowed
Standard residential materials. Chain link in commercial/industrial must be green or black vinyl coated with top rail.
Materials Prohibited
Wire, plastic, chain-link with inserts prohibited adjoining street ROW (except AG-1, M-1, M-1A, M-2). Fabric fencing prohibited except as windscreen for recreational courts.
Historic Districts
N/A - county jurisdiction
Setbacks
Min 3 ft from public ROW. 3 ft landscape strip required between fence and ROW.
Design Requirements
Finished side must face neighboring property on all property lines.
Gates
No part within 20 ft of public ROW. Cannot obstruct ROW or sight distance in any position.
Retaining Walls
Specific permit requirements based on height (4-6 ft vs over 6 ft).
Floodplain Rules
Not specified in fence regulations
Notes
Sec. 4.11 Fences and Walls. Razor wire PROHIBITED in all districts. Barbed wire allowed in commercial/industrial only (must be straight strand adjacent to public ROW; coiled/concertina prohibited). Barbed wire in AG-1 for agricultural use only (not single-family lots). eLaws source intermittently unavailable. Municode backup: https://library.municode.com/ga/fulton_county/codes/code_... Permit application PDF: View PDF
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.
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