Fence Regulations in Atlanta, GA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Atlanta, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Atlanta caps residential fences at 4 feet in front yards, 6 feet in side and rear yards in the R-1 through R-5 districts, and 2.5 feet within 20 feet of any street intersection for visibility.
Atlanta Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 16-28.008(5)
In the R-1 through R-5 districts...(1)Within the required front and half-depth front yards:(i)Where no retaining wall is constructed, fences not exceeding four feet in height may be erected...(2)Within the required side and rear yards:(i)...fences or walls not exceeding six feet in height may be erected or maintained...in any dwelling district no fence or wall exceeding two and one-half feet in...
Fence Permit Requirements
Atlanta requires a building permit for fences, with a $75 minimum fee for fences 6 feet or less and $120 for taller ones; front-yard fences in the R-1 through R-5 districts are capped at 4 feet, side and rear at 6 feet.
Atlanta Fence Permit & Height Rules
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 16-28.008(5)(a),(c)
In the R-1 through R-5 districts, the following retaining walls and fences are permitted: ...fences not exceeding four feet in height may be erected...Within the required side and rear yards: ...fences or walls not exceeding six feet in height may be erected or maintained...no fence or wall exceeding two and one-half feet in height...shall be erected or maintained within 20 feet of any street i...
Retaining Walls
In Atlanta's R-1 through R-5 districts, retaining walls in required yards can't exceed six feet without a special exception from the board of zoning adjustment, and front-yard walls are capped at three feet each, stacked in pairs.
Atlanta Retaining Wall Height & Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 16-28.008(5)(a)(3)
(3)Where a driveway is required to be constructed, retaining wall height shall be measured above the existing undisturbed grade of the lot as established by plans meeting the specifications required for soil erosion and sedimentation control by section 74-40 (as it may be amended).(i)For retaining walls in any required yard no greater than six feet in height shall be allowed.(ii)For retaining w...
Material Restrictions
Atlanta bans barbed wire and razor wire on any fence along a public right-of-way or a private drive that serves pedestrians, one of several material and height limits set in the zoning code's yard and fence standards.
Atlanta Fence Material Rules
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 16-28.008(5)
Fences, walls or hedges may occupy required yards as follows; provided, however, that such fence, wall or hedge shall be maintained in a safe and sightly condition and that no such walls or fences create substantial impediments to visibility as prohibiting at section 16-28.008(9). In no district shall any part of any fence contain barbed wire or razor wire along the public right-of-way or along...
Looking for Fulton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Atlanta city rules.
Fence Regulations in Fulton County →