Before You Build in Acworth, GA: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Acworth Zoning §73-152 — fence heights regulated by location. Generally 6 ft in residential side/rear yards. Retaining walls ≥4 ft must have a safety fence ≥36 inches at the top. Pool barriers minimum 5 ft.

Acworth does not require neighbor consent for fence installation. Finished side must face exterior. Setback and height compliance with §73-152 required. Boundary disputes are civil matters under Georgia law.

Acworth Building/Development Department — fence permits required. Apply through Acworth Development Department at 4415 Center St. Fence guide available on Code Compliance page. Screening fences must meet §73-152.

Acworth local code stricter than state — pool barriers must be minimum 5 feet high (vs. state's 4 feet). Self-closing, self-latching gate required. Barrier must be installed before filling pool. Pool setback: 5 ft from property line.

Acworth requires a swimming pool permit before construction. Follows 2018 construction codes adopted by Georgia DCA. Anti-entrapment drain covers (VGBA) required. 6-month permit extensions available for due cause.

Above-ground pools in Acworth require the same 5-foot barrier and 5-foot setback from property lines as in-ground pools. Building permit required. Barrier must be installed before filling.

Acworth Zoning — guest homes/garage apartments permitted to the rear of the principal structure, at least 20 ft from property lines, 10 ft from principal building, and with 5,000 sq ft lot area dedicated to their use.

Garage conversions to habitable space in Acworth require a building permit and must meet IRC and 2018 Georgia construction codes. Parking minimums must still be satisfied after conversion.

Under Chapter 73 (Zoning) of the Acworth Code of Ordinances, a carport is treated as an accessory structure and must sit on the same lot as the principal dwelling, to the side or rear at least 5 feet from any side or rear lot line. Unenclosed carports may not be used to store anything other than firewood or recyclable materials in a city-approved container.

Acworth Building permits required for accessory structures. Must comply with Ch. 73 setbacks. Safety hazards from abandoned appliances/unsecured structures are code violations. Cannot be used for habitation.

Cobb County Fire enforces outdoor burning rules in Acworth — Oct 1–Apr 30; 10 AM to 1 hour before sunset; small piles (<6x6 ft) no permit; larger piles permit required. Violations: $100–$1,000 fine.

Acworth/Cobb County — recreational fires with clean wood (≤3 ft diameter, ≤2 ft height) are exempt from seasonal burn ban. Year-round; must be attended; 25 ft from structures; 10 AM–10:30 PM.

Acworth Ch. 73 + 2024 Tree Ordinance — tree removal permits required for significant removals. Licensed contractor with $500K per-incident insurance required. Specimen trees preserved; replacement plan required.

GA Water Stewardship Act (2010) year-round restriction: no irrigation 10 AM–4 PM daily. Acworth served by Cherokee County Water/Allatoona Supply. EPD drought Level 1–4 restrictions escalate during declared drought.

Acworth homeowners may trim trees on private residential property without a permit. Tree ordinance (Ch. 73/98) focuses on development-related removal and specimen tree protection.