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

Typical Snellville residential fence limits: 4 ft in front yards, 6 ft in side/rear yards. Corner lots have sight-triangle restrictions at intersections. Taller fences require zoning variance.

Georgia has no statewide spite fence law. Boundary fence disputes are a common-law nuisance matter. Property owner is responsible for fence on their side of the property line; shared boundary fences require mutual agreement.

Pool barrier required by GA Residential Code (IRC Appendix G): minimum 48 inches tall, self-closing self-latching gate opening outward, no gaps >4 inches. Applies to all residential pools >24 in deep.

Fence permit required in Snellville for most residential fences. Apply through community development department. Fence must comply with height, materials, and setback standards; HOA approval may also be required.

Retaining walls over 4 feet high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) or supporting a surcharge require engineered design and building permit. Walls under 4 ft with no surcharge may not need permit.

Snellville requires a building permit for any pool, spa, or hot tub holding more than 24 inches of water. Plans, site plan, barrier details, and electrical submittal required.

Hot tubs/spas require Snellville electrical permit. Safety cover listed to ASTM F1346 exempts hot tubs from the 48-inch barrier requirement per IRC Appendix G.

Above-ground pools over 24 inches deep require Snellville building permit and must meet IRC Appendix G barrier requirements. Pool wall (48"+) can serve as barrier if ladder is removable or lockable.

Pool barriers required per GA Residential Code (IRC Appendix G): 48-inch minimum height, self-closing and self-latching gates, latch 54 inches above ground. Applies to all residential pools deeper than 24 inches.

GA Residential Code requires pool alarms or approved safety covers when a door opens directly onto the pool area. Public pools must meet GA DPH Rules 511-3-5.

Accessory dwelling units are not broadly permitted in Snellville's single-family zones (R-100, R-75). GA has no ADU mandate. Second kitchens or in-law suites allowed only as attached additions meeting single-family standards.

Garage conversions in Snellville require a building permit and must maintain required off-street parking. Converting to a separate living unit is not permitted in single-family districts.

Tiny homes on foundations must meet the GA Residential Code and Snellville minimum dwelling size standards. Tiny homes on wheels (RVs/park models) not permitted as permanent residences in Snellville.

Carports in Snellville require a building permit and must meet accessory structure setbacks. Typically attached carports follow principal structure setbacks; detached carports follow accessory setbacks.

Sheds 200 sq ft or larger require a Snellville building permit. All sheds must meet accessory structure setbacks: typically 5 feet from side and rear property lines, behind the rear building line.

Open burning banned May 1-Sept 30 under GAEPD Rule 391-3-1-.02(5) — Snellville is in the 54-county Atlanta metro ozone nonattainment area. Year-round burn permit required from GA Forestry Commission.

Recreational fires in approved fire pits allowed year-round when fuel is clean wood (not yard debris). Fire pit must be 25 ft from structures per IFC 307.4. Summer burn ban does not apply to contained cooking/recreational fires.

Property owners responsible for trimming trees overhanging streets and sidewalks. Utility clearance by Georgia Power / Jackson EMC. Neighbor tree trimming follows common-law self-help to property line.

Snellville has a tree preservation ordinance protecting trees by DBH (diameter at breast height). Removal of regulated trees requires permit from city; replacement or mitigation typically required.

Year-round 4 PM–10 AM outdoor watering rule per GA Rule 391-3-30 (Water Stewardship Act). Snellville water served by Gwinnett County DWR. Drought restrictions add further limits.