Carroll County, GA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Section 18-15(a) makes a building permit the default requirement for any structure regulated by the construction codes, and the exemption list in § 18-15(b)(1) then narrows that for specific low-risk work. " That means height alone is not the whole test: even a wall under four feet loses its exemption, and needs a permit, if it carries a surcharge load, such as a driveway, structure or sloped fill bearing on it, or holds back a flammable or combustible liquid classed I, II or III-A. Above four feet, every retaining wall needs a permit regardless of load.

Applications go to the building official in the community development department's building section, must describe the work and location, and the building official can require drawings and engineering data under § 18-15(d) when needed to verify design. Fees set by the board of commissioners must be paid before a permit issues (§ 18-15(i)(1)), and starting work before the permit is obtained adds a penalty equal to 100 percent of the usual fee (§ 18-15(i)(2)). This applies only in the unincorporated county; Carrollton, Villa Rica, Temple, Bowdon, Whitesburg, Mount Zion and Roopville each administer their own retaining wall rules inside their limits.