Clarke County Fence Regulations: Height Limits Rules (2026)

Athens-Clarke County regulates fences and freestanding walls under Sec. 9-15-1 of Title 9 (Zoning and Development Standards), Chapter 9-15 (General Regulations). For single-family residential uses, the rules are: fences in any required front yard may not exceed 48 inches (4 feet) in height; fences and walls in side and rear yards may be up to 8 feet. Where a side or rear yard abuts a public right-of-way, any fence within 10 feet of that right-of-way is reduced to 48 inches or less to preserve sight distance and neighborhood character (alleys are excluded from this rule). Semi-open fences (those with at least 50 percent open area) in front yards or in side/rear yards adjacent to a public right-of-way, private drive, or street may go up to 8 feet. Corner lots and lots near intersections are subject to sight-distance triangle requirements that may further restrict fences regardless of the height table. A Zoning Permit must be obtained from the ACC Planning Department before fence construction begins; the permit confirms setbacks, height, materials, and right-of-way clearances. Building permits may also be required for masonry walls or fences over a certain structural threshold under the locally adopted IRC. Athens-Clarke County is consolidated, so Sec. 9-15-1 applies throughout the unified government area, with the City of Winterville maintaining its own separate regulations.