6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in DeKalb County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
DeKalb County Zoning Ordinance §5.4.7: front yard fences limited to 4 feet maximum; interior side and rear yard fences up to 8 feet maximum. Corner lot visibility triangles extend 25 feet from intersection — no fence over 2.5 feet in this zone. Pool enclosures require minimum 5-foot barriers.
Fence permits in unincorporated DeKalb County are required through the Building Inspection Department (404-371-3026). Applications must show compliance with Zoning Ordinance §5.4.7 height limits, setbacks, and material standards. Pool fencing requires additional review.
Georgia common law applies in DeKalb County: fences must be on the owner's property. No county ordinance requires neighbor consent. Boundary disputes are civil matters. A survey is strongly recommended before installation. Variances available for documented hardship cases.
DeKalb County requires building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall. Engineered plans required over 4 ft. Land disturbance permits required for significant grading.
DeKalb County requires 4-foot minimum pool barriers per Georgia State Minimum Standard Residential Code (IRC-based). Self-closing, self-latching gates required. Barrier inspection required at pool permit issuance.
DeKalb County zoning (Chapter 27) allows wood, vinyl, masonry, aluminum, and wrought iron. Barbed and razor wire prohibited in residential districts. Chain-link discouraged in front yards.
4 cities in DeKalb County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for DeKalb County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
DeKalb County Ordinance Hub →