Columbia County, GA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Backyard
- 6 feet in subdivisions
- Front Yard
- 3 feet, no chainlink
- Corner Side Street
- 4 feet maximum
- R-A / R-1 Lots
- Up to 8 feet
- HOA
- Often stricter
Summary
Columbia County's zoning code, Sec. 90-144, limits backyard fences to six feet in most subdivisions, front-yard fences to three feet, and allows up to eight feet on larger R-A and R-1 acreage.
A fence or freestanding wall that is closer to a side or rear property line than the front, side or rear principal building setback line, may not exceed six feet in height. ... In the R-A, R-1, T-R and A-R residential zoning districts, any fence or freestanding wall that is closer to a property line than the front, side or rear principal building setback line, may not exceed eight feet in height.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 54).
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Columbia County, including Evans and Martinez, fence height is set by zoning Sec. 90-144(c)(1). In the suburban R-1A, R-2, R-3, R-3A, and PRD/PUD districts, a fence near a side or rear line may reach six feet, but one between the home's front wall and the road is capped at three feet (four on a corner's side street), where wire and chainlink are barred. A decorative privacy fence along a collector or arterial may rise to eight feet. On the larger R-A and R-1 lots common near Clarks Hill Lake, eight feet is allowed anywhere. HOA covenants routinely impose stricter limits.
Violations & Fines
A fence exceeding the zoning height or blocking an intersection sight-triangle draws a correction notice from county Planning and Development, with fines and required removal or lowering until it complies. HOA breaches are enforced separately in civil court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my backyard fence be?
What about the front yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbia County
How Columbia County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Columbia County to another location·View the Georgia fence regulations overview
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