Acworth, GA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Section 18-40 of the Code of Ordinances sets Acworth's retaining wall rules in four parts. On permitting, a wall "which does not exceed four feet in vertical height, as measured from the low side exposed toe of the wall to the top of the wall at any point, shall not require permitting provided that the slope of the backfill materials does not exceed 1 in 3 (one foot rise for every three feet of run)," and it cannot support soil that in turn supports part of a structure, other than a detached utility structure of 120 square feet or less.

Any wall over four feet at any point requires permitting, and "all retaining walls, regardless of height, which support soils that are in turn supporting any portion of a structure" require building permits outright. Walls built as part of a stormwater management plan fall under the jurisdiction of the Acworth Public Works Department instead of the building department. On design, any wall supporting a structure's load, or backfill sloped steeper than 1 in 3, requires "a stamped, sealed design by a Georgia Registered Engineer"; other walls can follow the building department's approved standard details on file or get the same engineered design.

On materials, wood is barred except pressure-treated wood rated for continual ground contact, and only in walls four feet or shorter carrying no structural load and no steep backfill. 5 times their own height apart from each other, must stay entirely on one parcel, and cannot cross a property line except behind a building at roughly a right angle to the line, in which case each parcel needs its own permit for the shared wall.