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DeKalb County, GA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Fence height exempt
Up to 8 feet, no permit
Retaining wall exempt
Up to 4 feet, no permit
Area covered
Unincorporated DeKalb County only
Governing section
Code of Ordinances § 7-30(d)(1)(A)

Summary

In unincorporated DeKalb County, fences up to eight feet high need no building permit under § 7-30(d)(1)(A); taller fences and retaining walls over four feet still require one.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of DeKalb County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(d)Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from the permit requirements of this section shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this chapter or any other laws or ordinances of the county. Permits shall not be required for the following:(1)Building:(A)Fences not over eight (8) feet (2440 mm) high.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Code of Ordinances § 7-30(d)(1)(A) exempts fences up to eight feet high from the county's building permit requirement in unincorporated DeKalb County. The exemption covers only the permit itself -- § 7-30(d) is explicit that skipping the permit does not authorize work that otherwise violates the chapter or any other county ordinance, so height limits, corner-lot sight triangles and other zoning restrictions still apply. A companion exemption in the same subsection excuses retaining walls up to four feet, but taller retaining walls need a permit. Residents of Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Tucker, Stonecrest and DeKalb's other incorporated cities follow their own fence permit rules, not this county section.

Violations & Fines

A fence over eight feet built without a permit is unpermitted construction subject to the county's building code enforcement, including stop-work orders and the 100-percent late-permit penalty under § 7-30(c).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for an 8-foot fence in DeKalb County?
No -- unincorporated DeKalb County exempts fences up to eight feet high from the building permit requirement under § 7-30(d)(1)(A), though zoning height and setback rules still apply.
Does the fence exemption cover retaining walls too?
Retaining walls are exempt separately, but only up to four feet measured from footing to top of wall; taller walls need a permit under § 7-30(d)(1)(B).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in DeKalb County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsHeight LimitsSome RestrictionsMaterial RestrictionsSome RestrictionsRetaining WallsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions

All DeKalb County rules

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