Before You Build in Georgetown, TX: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Georgetown UDC Section 8.07.040 limits single-family front-yard fences to four feet (and at least 50% transparent), while side and rear fences in all other locations are limited to six feet, with increases to eight feet allowed only in specific listed circumstances. Height is measured from the higher side.

Georgetown UDC Section 8.07.020 requires a fence permit to erect any fence within the city limits, with limited exceptions for agricultural uses, interior pet/garden fencing, and minor alterations replacing less than one-third of the fence facing. The city aims to process fence permits within about 10 business days.

Georgetown's UDC requires the finished side of a fence to face public streets and parkland (Sec. 8.07.030.E) and lets neighbors jointly consent to a taller rear fence (Sec. 8.07.040.C). Cost-sharing and boundary disputes are governed by Texas property law, not city ordinance, since Texas has no general fence-sharing statute.

Georgetown's UDC fence section does not set a retaining-wall height limit; instead, retaining walls follow the adopted building code. Per the city's permit guidance, a permit is not required for retaining walls four feet or less measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless the wall supports a surcharge.

Georgetown UDC Section 8.07.030.C lets property owners use a broad range of durable fence materials by right, including wood, stone, brick, fencecrete, decorative wrought iron, chain link and welded wire, plus vinyl or PVC subject to staff approval. All fences must keep structural integrity and show their finished side to streets and parkland.

Georgetown requires a fence, wall, or barrier that completely surrounds a swimming pool, with a self-latching gate, in accordance with the adopted code. The City's residential permit guidance ties pool barriers to the International Residential Code, and Georgetown enforces the 2021 Swimming Pool and Spa Code for pool/spa construction.

Georgetown requires a building permit for in-ground or prefabricated pools deeper than 24 inches, plus spas and hot tubs, in both residential and commercial use. Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep are exempt. The City enforces the 2021 Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and as of August 1, 2024 all pools must be engineered.

Beyond the perimeter barrier, Georgetown requires that all doors with direct access to the pool be equipped with an alarm that produces an audible signal when the door is opened. Pool construction follows the City-adopted 2021 Swimming Pool and Spa Code, including barrier, electrical bonding, and inspection requirements.

Georgetown treats prefabricated (above-ground) pools the same as in-ground pools once they exceed 24 inches in depth: a permit is required, and the same barrier, alarm, setback, and inspection rules apply. Prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep do not require a permit.

Georgetown requires a permit for spas and hot tubs, in residential and commercial use, under the City-adopted 2021 Swimming Pool and Spa Code. Spas and hot tubs are reviewed for electrical bonding and safety, and the City's barrier and door-alarm provisions apply to pool/spa installations.

Georgetown permits accessory dwelling units (garage apartments, casitas) as a subordinate use limited to 25% of the primary dwelling. ADUs are allowed in AG, RE, RL, RS, and MU-DT districts, must share the primary residence's electric and water meters, and renting one requires the property to be owner-occupied.

Georgetown treats garage conversions as a distinct permit type. A garage converted into habitable space with a kitchen becomes an accessory dwelling unit subject to the UDC ADU rules (25% size cap, shared meters, SUP for rental). All conversions require a building permit and must meet the adopted 2021 building codes.

Georgetown requires a permit for accessory (non-habitable) storage buildings under UDC Chapter 6, Section 6.06. An accessory structure may not exceed 25% of the principal structure's square footage, no more than 30% of the rear yard may be covered, and structures over 200 sq ft generally require an engineer's certification.

Georgetown requires a permit for carports under UDC Chapter 6, Section 6.06. Garages and carports must be set back at least 20-25 feet from the street where the driveway takes access, or 10 feet from a public alley. A carport may be placed on an existing driveway if it meets the required street setback.

Georgetown has no separate 'tiny home' ordinance. A habitable tiny home on a permanent foundation is regulated as a dwelling/ADU under the UDC (25% size cap, shared meters, SUP for rental) and must meet the adopted 2021 International Residential Code. A tiny home on wheels is treated as an RV, not a permanent dwelling.

Georgetown allows backyard fire pits and chimeneas without a separate permit, but the Fire Department sets clearance distances. Portable outdoor fires (fire pits and chimeneas) must keep 15 feet of clearance from structures; recreational fires built directly on the ground must be 25 feet away. A burn ban suspends recreational fires.

Open burning inside Georgetown requires an operational permit under Sec. 8.04.050, which amends Section 105.5.34 of the adopted fire code. The Fire Department offers residential, commercial, bonfire and prescribed-burn permits with varying fees. Prohibited materials include tires, plastics and treated lumber, and burning is barred during a burn ban.

Routine pruning of ordinary yard trees is unregulated in Georgetown, but pruning of a Heritage Tree (26-inch DBH protected species) requires city review under Unified Development Code Chapter 8. Heritage tree pruning requests are submitted online through the Planning Department.

Georgetown's UDC Chapter 8 protects Protected Trees (12-inch DBH) and Heritage Trees (26-inch DBH listed species). Removal requires city approval and mitigation, but residential lots platted before February 13, 2007 are exempt. Dead and hazardous trees are also exempt.

Georgetown Water Utility customers follow year-round watering rules. Irrigation systems run only on assigned days (by address last digit), never Monday, and never between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Hand watering is allowed any day. Restrictions apply to commercial customers too.