Decatur's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Decatur, Georgia, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Permit Requirements

A building permit is required in Decatur for new fence installation. Permits are processed through the Community Core permitting system at communitycore.com. The Building and Inspections Division reviews fence permits for compliance with UDO Article 7 standards.

Key details: Permit System: communitycore.com (online). Permit Authority: Building & Inspections Division. Phone: 678-553-6505. Required Docs: Site plan with fence location/height.

Building without permit: $200 to $500. May require removal and re-permitting. Stop-work orders possible.

Height Limits

Fence height in Decatur is regulated by the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Article 7 (Site Development). Typical limits: 4 feet maximum in front yards; 6 feet maximum in rear and side yards. Specific district standards may vary. Permits required for new fence installation.

Key details: Ordinance: UDO Article 7 (Site Development). Front Yard Limit: 4 feet maximum. Rear/Side Limit: 6 feet maximum. Historic Districts: May have stricter limits. Permit Required: Yes for new fences.

Non-compliant fence: correction notice. Failure to comply: $100 to $500 per day. Forced removal possible.

Neighbor Fence Rules

Georgia follows the 'good neighbor' fence doctrine. No specific Decatur ordinance requires neighbor consent before installing a fence, but the fence must be placed on the installer's property. Boundary disputes are civil matters. Cost sharing for party fences is subject to mutual agreement.

Key details: Neighbor Consent: Not required by ordinance. Property Line: Fence must be on your property. Boundary Disputes: Civil matter (courts). Party Fence: Cost sharing by agreement.

Building on neighbor's property: civil liability. Encroachment: forced removal possible by court order.

Decatur is more permissive than most cities when it comes to neighbor fence rules. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Decatur's fence regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Decatur is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Decatur's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.