FENCE RULES – POOLER (CITY), GEORGIA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Pooler, subject to local regulations.
In City of Pooler, the principal residential fence rules appear in Chapter 22, Article IV, Fences, of the Code of Ordinances. Additional permit and visibility provisions also appear in Appendix A—Zoning, including the administration and enforcement article and the zoning sight-triangle rule for street intersections.
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 Pooler Code of Ordinances, Appendix A—Zoning, Building & Inspections, Planning & Zoning, and Code Enforcement as of April 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The governing authority is the City of Pooler. Fence regulation is administered primarily through Chapter 22, Article IV, Fences in the City of Pooler Code of Ordinances, with additional provisions in Appendix A—Zoning, especially the permit provisions in Article V and the sight-triangle rule in Article III.
Current administration is handled through Building & Inspections and Planning & Zoning, both under Planning & Development. Code Enforcement also has an enforcement role for property maintenance, zoning, planning, signs, and permits. For decorative or ornamental fences, the ordinance also requires approval from the planning and zoning commission and the aldermanic board before permit issuance.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit: A building permit is required before the construction or erection of a fence.
• Application Materials: A fence permit application must include a survey or approved site plan showing property lines, easements, fence dimensions, type, material, and location.
• Decorative Fence Submittals: If the fence is decorative or ornamental, the application must also include a front elevation and cross-sectional drawing, plus the fence location in relation to nearby buildings, utility easements, and fire hydrants. Decorative or ornamental fences require approval from the planning and zoning commission and the aldermanic board before the building permit is issued.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with Planning & Zoning before construction.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Residential Fence Location: Standard residential fences are restricted to the rear and side yards and may not extend beyond the front yard setback line. On corner lots, the side street setback line is included in this restriction.
• Utility Fence Location: Utility fences are restricted to the rear and side yards and may not extend beyond the front yard setback line or, on a corner lot, the side yard setback line.
• Decorative or Ornamental Fences: Decorative or ornamental fences are not restricted by setback lines.
• Encroachments: The fence article directs encroachment issues to Section 74-3. That section makes encroachments or obstructions in city streets and sidewalks unlawful.
• Easements: Fence permit applications must show easements on the survey or site plan. Decorative fence applications must also show the fence’s relation to utility easements.
• 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
• Residential Fence Height: The code defines a residential fence as having a maximum height of six feet.
• Utility Fence Height: The code defines a utility fence as having a maximum height of four feet.
• Decorative or Ornamental Fence Height and Opacity: Decorative or ornamental fences may not exceed four feet in height and may not exceed 70 percent opaqueness.
• Corner-Lot Sight Triangle Rule: On corner lots in all zoning districts, no fence or other traffic-vision obstruction may exceed three feet in height within the triangular area formed by the intersection of two street right-of-way lines and a diagonal line connecting points 25 feet from that intersection.
• Intersection and Driveway Visibility: Chapter 22 also states that no fence or wall may obstruct sight lines at elevations between three and six feet above the roadway on any corner lot within a triangular area extending 30 feet from the street-line intersection. The same site-line limitation also applies within ten feet from the edge of driveway or alley pavement.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Residential Fence Materials: A residential fence is defined as a fence constructed of wood or other material appropriate to maintain aesthetic decor.
• Decorative or Ornamental Fence Materials: Decorative or ornamental fences may be constructed of wood, vinyl, masonry, wrought iron, or a combination of those materials.
• Utility Fence Materials: A utility fence is defined as chain link construction with wood or metal posts.
• Barbed Wire: Barbed wire may not be used above a utility fence.
• Maintenance: All fences must be kept in good repair. Unless constructed of galvanized or non-corroding metal, they must be given a protective coating as necessary to maintain a clean appearance and safe condition.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
HOA rules, subdivision covenants, easements, and similar private restrictions operate independently of city rules and may be more restrictive than the City of Pooler ordinance.
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: Building permit review includes the submitted survey or site plan, including property lines, easements, fence dimensions, type, material, and location.
• Decorative Fence Review: Decorative or ornamental fences require review and approval before permit issuance.
• Visibility Review: Corner-lot sight triangles and driveway or alley visibility areas are regulated and may limit fence height or placement.
• Encroachment Issues: Encroachments or obstructions in streets or sidewalks are prohibited.
• Maintenance Issues: Fences must be maintained in good repair and, where applicable, kept coated to maintain a clean appearance and safe condition.
• Complaint-Based Enforcement: Code Enforcement states that it enforces property maintenance, zoning, planning, signs, and permits.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Pooler, 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 Planning & Development and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Pooler staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.