Smyrna, GA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Section 503-A.3 of the Smyrna Zoning Ordinance, Appendix A, bars chain link or similar woven wire fencing within any front yard, in all zoning districts. The front yard includes a corner lot on which both yards abutting a street are deemed front yards. Within a front yard, the permitted materials are a decorative or ornamental rail, split rail, picket, opaque, basket weave or similar fence built of wooden materials, up to four feet in height. Any wire backing on a split rail fence in the front yard must have a black vinyl coating. Decorative wrought iron or black aluminum fencing is also permitted at up to four feet.

Section 503-A.2 governs orientation. In all cases the finished side of a fence must face adjoining properties and public rights-of-way. The finished side is the side that contains no visible support structures, unless the community development director approves otherwise. Section 503-A.1 adds that no fence can be constructed in a public right-of-way.

In the downtown Urban Design District (Central Area), Appendix E section 2.29.2 goes further: no barbed wire, razor wire, chain link fence or similar elements can be visible from any public plaza, ground level or sidewalk level outdoor dining area or public right-of-way. Its front yard rule repeats the four-foot limit for wood or wrought iron fencing, and columns of brick, stone or similar material can sit between fence sections. Communications towers are a separate case: section 501.16 requires an anti-climbing device such as a six-foot barbed strand fence.