GeorgiaFence Rules

Fulton County

Fence Rules in Unincorporated Fulton County, Georgia

Last verified: August 31, 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 Unincorporated Fulton County, the maximum fence height is typically 8 ft in side and rear yards and 8 ft in front yards.

Required. The county permits fences and walls that follow its standards; Exempt: agricultural fences in the AG-1 district; Public Works, Planning, Zoning & Permits: 404-612-7400.

On corner lots in Unincorporated Fulton County: Must keep the visibility triangle at intersections clear, per the county Subdivision Regulations.

Pool fences in Unincorporated Fulton County: 5 ft minimum enclosure around the whole pool, in place before the pool is finished; Gates: self-closing and positive-latching, on the outer side of the deck, locked when the pool is not in use; Keep 5 ft of clear space between the enclosure and anything climbable; Set by Zoning Resolution Sec. 19.3.12.

Fence setbacks in Unincorporated Fulton County: At least 3 ft from the public right-of-way, with a 3 ft landscape strip between the fence and the right-of-way.

Prohibited fence materials in Unincorporated Fulton County: Along a street: no wire, plastic, or chain link with plastic or wood inserts, except in the AG-1, M-1, M-1A and M-2 districts; Fabric: banned except as a court windscreen; Razor wire: banned in AG-1, allowed in commercial and industrial districts; Barbed wire: never on a single family lot.

Fence Regulations

Unincorporated Fulton County

Apply for Permit
Permit Requirements
Required. The county permits fences and walls that follow its standards. Exempt: agricultural fences in the AG-1 district. Public Works, Planning, Zoning & Permits: 404-612-7400
Height - Front Yard
8 ft max in residential districts.
Height - Side/Rear
8 ft max in residential districts.
Height Notes
Height is measured from grade. Ornamental columns and elements may rise up to 3 ft above the limit.
Pool Fences
View Pool Fence Safety Requirements
Corner Lots
Must keep the visibility triangle at intersections clear, per the county Subdivision Regulations.
Materials Allowed
The code sets no list of approved residential fence materials. Chain link in commercial and industrial districts: green or black vinyl coated, with a top rail. Barbed wire and razor wire: commercial and industrial districts. Barbed wire also in AG-1 for farm use, but never on a single family lot. Straight strand along a street, no coils or concertina. Fulton Industrial Business District overlay, Zoning Resolution Art. XII-N: no wood fencing on industrial property fronting Fulton Industrial Boulevard, and no wood privacy fencing on land mapped industrial marketplace. The overlay does not cover single family detached homes.
Materials Prohibited
Along a street: no wire, plastic, or chain link with plastic or wood inserts, except in the AG-1, M-1, M-1A and M-2 districts. Fabric: banned except as a court windscreen. Razor wire: banned in AG-1, allowed in commercial and industrial districts. Barbed wire: never on a single family lot.
Historic Districts
N/A: county jurisdiction.
Setbacks
At least 3 ft from the public right-of-way, with a 3 ft landscape strip between the fence and the right-of-way.
Design Requirements
Finished side faces the neighboring property, on every property line.
Gates
No part within 20 ft of the public right-of-way. Must never block the right-of-way or sight distance, in any position.
Floodplain Rules
Allowed in flood hazard and flood prone areas only if the fence has enough open area to let water and debris flow through freely.
Source
Fulton County Zoning Resolution Sec. 4.11
Notes
Governed by Zoning Resolution Sec. 4.11. Nearly all of Fulton County is inside a city; the remaining unincorporated area is mostly the Fulton Industrial District. Public Works, Planning, Zoning & Permits: 404-612-7400

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 Unincorporated Fulton County with nearby jurisdictions:

All Fulton County fence rules →

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