Rockdale County
Fence Rules in Unincorporated Rockdale 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 Rockdale County
Permit Requirements
Building permit required for fences exceeding 7 ft. Retaining walls over 4 ft also require permit and inspection. Standard-height residential fences regulated through zoning compliance.
Height - Front Yard
4 ft max (residential districts: A-R, W-P, CRS, CSD, R-1, R-2, MRU, RM). 6 ft max (non-residential/mixed-use and industrial districts).
Height - Side/Rear
6 ft max (residential). 6 ft max (non-residential/mixed-use). 8 ft max (industrial M-1, M-2).
Height Notes
Height measured from normal finish grade. Ornamental features (columns, gates) may exceed max by up to 18 inches if spaced at least 10 ft apart. Heights may exceed limits for even fence line on sloped properties. Planning Director may approve up to 150% of max height administratively.
Pool Fences
Corner Lots
Adequate sight distance required per Rockdale County DOT standards. Increased setbacks from ROW required.
Materials Allowed
Treated solid wood (painted, varnished, pressure-treated, composite), ornamental metal (wrought iron, steel, aluminum), vinyl boards, masonry (brick, architectural concrete block, stone)
Materials Prohibited
Tires, scrap/sheet metal, plastic, fiberglass, MDF, plywood, exposed common concrete block, junk/discarded materials. Plastic slats strictly prohibited. Solid opaque fences strictly prohibited along any street right-of-way.
Historic Districts
N/A
Setbacks
Minimum 3 ft from any public right-of-way for all fences, landscape walls, and hedges.
Design Requirements
No opaque fence or landscape wall over 20 linear ft without visual articulation (column, setback, or planting). Finished side must face neighboring properties. Opaque fences prohibited on street frontage.
Gates
Not specified beyond pool gates
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls over 4 ft require permit and inspection by chief building official
Notes
UDO Sec. 214-6 'Fences, Walls and Hedges'. A-R/W-P districts 3+ acres may use chain link and barbed wire on interior lines. Contact Planning & Development: (770) 278-7100. eLaws source intermittently unavailable. Municode backup: https://library.municode.com/ga/rockdale_county/codes/cod...
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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