FENCE RULES – DUNWOODY (CITY), GEORGIA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Dunwoody, subject to local regulations.
The City of Dunwoody publishes a consolidated fence and wall division in Chapter 27 of the Zoning Ordinance. Related fence rules also appear in the ordinance’s setback, intersection visibility, and public right-of-way provisions, and in the City’s fence permit guidance administered through the Community Development Department.
This page focuses on typical single-family residential fencing. If the jurisdiction’s adopted materials do not state a specific limit or requirement, this page notes that the code does not specify one.
Compiled From the City of Dunwoody Code of Ordinances, Fence Permits page, Permits & Inspections FAQs, Planning & Zoning page, Planning & Zoning FAQs, Code Enforcement page, Code Compliance FAQs, and Frequent Code Violations page, as of April 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The City of Dunwoody regulates residential fences through the City of Dunwoody Code of Ordinances, especially Chapter 27, Zoning Ordinance. Administration is handled through the Community Development Department. Within that department, the Planning and Zoning division manages planning, zoning, land and building development, and permitting, and the Code Compliance Office enforces City Codes and the Zoning Ordinance.
City of Dunwoody does have a consolidated fence code. The main residential standards appear in Chapter 27, Article IV, Division 4, Fences and Walls, with additional related rules in section 27-273 on setbacks, section 27-289 on intersection visibility, and section 27-290 on right-of-way structures and improvements.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Fence Permit Required: A fence permit is required when installing a new fence, vehicular gate, or replacing an existing fence that is within the front yard, on a corner lot, or within a stream buffer.
• No Fence Permit Required: A fence permit is not required when a fence is completely to the rear of a residential home.
• Stream Buffer and Floodplain: A fence within a stream buffer requires a stream buffer variance. A fence within a floodplain requires a variance before construction.
• Zoning Compliance: Even when a fence permit is not required, the proposed fence must still comply with the Zoning Ordinance. The City directs applicants to the Planning and Zoning Department for a courtesy review of proposed fencing.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Public Right-of-Way Setback: Fences and walls must be set back a minimum of 3 feet from a public right-of-way unless otherwise approved by the community development director.
• Front Yard Setback for Taller Fences: Fences in front yards exceeding 4 feet in height must be set back at least 3 feet from the leading edge of the primary structure.
• Interior Property Lines: The ordinance does not state a setback requirement for standard residential fences from interior side or rear property lines. Where a fence is built along a property line, the finished side must face the neighboring property.
• Public Right-of-Way Encroachment: No fence, wall, or other private improvement may encroach into a public right-of-way without the written approval of the appropriate public entity.
• Utility Safety: Georgia law requires notice to the Utilities Protection Center (Georgia 811) before excavation with mechanized equipment. The locate request effective date must be not less than two (2) business days and not more than eight (8) business days after the request is received, and work under that locate request may not begin more than 30 calendar days after the effective date.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• Street Yards: In residential zoning districts, fences and walls located in street yards may not exceed 4 feet in height.
• Collector and Arterial Streets: On residential lots adjacent to a collector or arterial street, fences in the street yard may not exceed 8 feet in height. On residential lots fronting on a collector or arterial street, fences in the front yard may not exceed 4 feet in height.
• Residential Corner Lots: The community development director may approve an administrative permit allowing a fence in the side yard fronting a street on a residential corner lot at a height of up to 6 feet.
• Other Locations: All other fences and walls are limited to a maximum height of 8 feet unless the Zoning Ordinance expressly states otherwise.
• Height Measurement: Fence height is measured from the natural adjacent grade on the lowest side of the fence to the top of the fence.
• Intersection Visibility: No fence, wall, building, structure, sign, plant material, or other obstruction may be maintained within 15 feet of the intersection of the rights-of-way lines of any two streets extended, or of a street intersection with a railroad right-of-way line.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Permitted Materials Along Property Lines: Walls and fences constructed along property lines must be made of wood, brick, block, vinyl, PVC, stone, metal, stucco, split rail, or wrought iron.
• Street-Edge Wire Fencing: In single-family detached dwelling developments, wire fencing materials, including chain-link fencing with plastic, vinyl, or wooden inserts, may not be used adjoining a street right-of-way.
• Prohibited Materials: On single-family dwelling lots, barbed wire, razor wire, and electrically charged fencing are not approved. The ordinance also prohibits plywood or sheet goods, canvas, cloth, vinyl sheeting, EFIS, other non-durable materials, chain-link fencing with inserts, and walls or fences made of exposed concrete block, tires, junk, or other discarded materials.
• Special Material Review: Adjoining a street right-of-way, the architectural treatment of poured concrete, common aggregate block, or concrete block walls requires review and approval by the community development director. Materials not expressly permitted or expressly prohibited may be used only upon review and approval by the community development director.
• Orientation and Finish: Fences built along property lines must have the finished side toward the neighboring property. Fence supports must face inward.
• Coatings and Maintenance: Where chain-link fencing is permitted, it must be vinyl coated in black or green. Painted or stained wood must be maintained. Metal fencing must be painted or vinyl coated.
• Installation: Posts must be anchored in concrete. Fences may step down a slope, but supports must remain vertical and plumb.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
HOA covenants, subdivision restrictions, easements, and private agreements operate independently of City of Dunwoody rules and may be more restrictive than municipal standards.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Permit Review: Review applies to new fences, vehicular gates, and replacement fences in front yards, on corner lots, and within stream buffers. Stream buffer and floodplain locations also trigger variance requirements.
• Height and Visibility Compliance: Review issues include street-yard height limits, collector and arterial street conditions, residential corner-lot street-side fence height, and the 15-foot intersection visibility restriction.
• Right-of-Way Conflicts: Fences proposed too close to or within public right-of-way may be flagged because the ordinance separately regulates right-of-way setbacks and encroachments.
• Construction and Maintenance Standards: Published standards include finished-side orientation, inward-facing supports, coated metal fencing, maintained painted or stained wood, and the listed prohibited materials.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Dunwoody, based on publicly available materials reviewed as of April 2026.
In addition to local fence rules, certain Georgia laws apply statewide. See Statewide Fence Laws in Georgia.
It is not legal advice and does not replace official ordinances, permits, surveys, or professional guidance. Rules and interpretations may change, and application may vary based on zoning district, site conditions, easements, rights-of-way, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with Community Development Department and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Dunwoody staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.