FENCE RULES – SAVANNAH (CITY), GEORGIA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Savannah, subject to local regulations.
The principal fence standards for the City of Savannah appear in the City of Savannah Zoning Ordinance, especially Chapter 3, Article 9.0, Sec. 9.6, Fences and Walls. Related fence rules also appear in Article 4.2, Visibility Triangle, Article 7, Overlay Districts, Article 3, historic approval procedures, and Chapter 1, mapped street restrictions. Current permit administration also appears in the City’s Development Services fence handouts, applications, and checklists.
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 Savannah Zoning Ordinance Chapter 3, Article 9.0, Sec. 9.6, Fences and Walls; Article 4.2, Visibility Triangle; Article 3 historic approval procedures; Article 7 overlay districts; Chapter 1 mapped street restrictions; the Planning, Zoning and Urban Design Department; and Development Services fence permit materials, as of April 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The City of Savannah regulates residential fences through the Development Services Department and the Planning, Zoning and Urban Design Department.
The controlling standards are not published in one standalone residential fence code. Instead, fence rules are split between the adopted zoning ordinance, historic and overlay provisions, mapped-street restrictions, and Development Services permit materials. The base citywide standards are found in Sec. 9.6, Fences and Walls, with overlay districts controlling where they conflict with the base standards.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit: A Building Permit is not required for standard residential fences under 7 feet in height or lower, as stated in the official sources compiled for this page. The published exemption is limited to wood and chain link fences.
• Fence Permit: A Fence Permit is required for wood or chain link fences over 7 feet in height. Masonry and concrete fences, and any fence structure intended to have a footing, also require a Fence Permit.
• Published Scope of Exemption: The official materials do not publish a blanket no-permit statement for every other residential fence material below 7 feet.
• Historic Approval: If the property is in a designated historic district, fence work may also require historic review and an approved Certificate of Appropriateness (COA).
• Permit Submittals: For permit-required fence work, the City’s fence checklist calls for a signed application, a site plan showing fence location, plan review fee payment, two identical sets of legible construction plans, and any additional approvals that apply, including Site Development Permit, COA, encroachment approval, or flood-zone documentation where applicable.
• 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 and Urban Design Department before construction.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• The ordinance does not state a setback requirement for standard residential fences from property lines; however, fences must be located entirely on the owner’s property and must not encroach into rights-of-way or easements.
• City Right-of-Way: If any part of a fence would extend into City right-of-way, an approved encroachment petition is required.
• Mapped Streets: Where a mapped street centerline has been established, no fence may be placed within 60 feet of a mapped arterial street centerline or 42.5 feet of a mapped collector street centerline.
• Visibility Areas: At the intersection of a driveway and a street, and on corner lots, a visibility triangle must be maintained under Article 4.2.
• Easements: Fences located on easements may be required to be removed.
• Tree Lawns: The Landscape and Tree Ordinance states that tree lawns may not be used for fencing.
• Flood Flow: Development Services fence guidance states that fences must be constructed so they allow the natural flow of rainwater, or the fence panels must be able to break away.
• Overlay Placement Rules: In the Savannah Downtown Historic Overlay District, fences, trellises, and walls may not extend beyond the front façade except in the limited front-garden situations stated in the ordinance. In the Downtown, Victorian, Cuyler-Brownville, and Streetcar overlay districts, a minimum of 5 feet must be provided between a fence and a building where they are parallel.
• 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
• Base Residential Height Limits: In the citywide residential standards, front yards and side street yards when forward of the front façade are limited to 4 feet. Side interior yards, rear yards, and side street yards behind the front façade are limited to 8 feet.
• Front Yard Open Design Option: A front-yard fence or wall may extend to 6 feet where the portion above 3 feet is at least 70% open.
• Height Measurement: Fence height is measured from the finished grade at the base of the fence or wall to the top of the fence or wall. Posts or columns are not counted in the basic measurement, but may extend above the limit by 1 foot if smaller than 6 x 6 inches, or by 2 feet if 6 x 6 inches or larger.
• Retaining Walls: A fence or wall located on top of a retaining wall is measured from the finished grade on the higher side of the retaining wall.
• Visibility Triangle: Within the visibility triangle clear zone, there may be no obstructions between 3 feet and 10 feet above the level of the adjacent driving surface.
• Downtown Historic Overlay: Where permitted, front-yard fences or walls may not exceed 48 inches. Fences, trellises, or walls may not exceed 11 feet in height unless the ordinance’s adjoining-wall exception applies.
• Victorian Historic Overlay: Front-yard fences or walls may not exceed 36 inches. Side-yard and rear-yard fences behind the front façade may not exceed 8 feet.
• Cuyler-Brownville Historic Overlay: Front-yard fences or walls may not exceed 36 inches. Side-yard and rear-yard fences behind the front façade may not exceed 6 feet.
• Streetcar Historic Overlay: Front-yard fences or walls may not exceed 3 feet. Side-yard and rear-yard fences behind the front façade may not exceed 8 feet.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Base Permitted Materials: The citywide ordinance permits wrought iron, extruded aluminum, split-face concrete masonry units, brick, stone, EIFS or stucco, composite materials, vinyl, decay-resistant wood at least 5/8 inch thick, chain link for single- and two-family uses, wire fences with wood or decorative posts for single- and two-family uses, and other materials approved by the Planning Director.
• Wood Finish: The ordinance states that wooden fence surfaces other than cypress or cedar should be painted or stained in order to protect the wood from decay.
• Finished Side: Fences must be constructed with the finished side facing adjacent properties or street rights-of-way.
• Long Opaque Street-Side Fences: Where an opaque fence or wall exceeding 3.5 feet in height runs for 50 feet or more along a street right-of-way, landscaping standards apply unless an ordinance exemption applies.
• Downtown Historic Overlay Materials: Street-facing fences and walls must be constructed of the material and color of the primary building, with the masonry and metal exceptions stated in the ordinance. Chain-link, vinyl, PVC, corrugated metal, barbed wire, and razor wire are prohibited there.
• Victorian Historic Overlay Materials: Wood, iron, brick, true stucco over concrete block, and extruded aluminum are permitted. Chain-link, vinyl, PVC, and corrugated metal are prohibited.
• Cuyler-Brownville and Streetcar Overlay Materials: Rear-yard chain link may be permitted, but not along a street. Plastic or metal slats are not permitted. Vinyl, PVC, and corrugated metal are prohibited.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Homeowners’ association rules, deed restrictions, and private covenants operate independently of City of Savannah regulations and may be more restrictive than the city’s fence rules.
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 Triggers: Whether the project involves a wood or chain link fence over 7 feet, a masonry or concrete fence, or a fence structure with a footing.
• Historic Review: Whether the property is in a historic district where a COA or other historic review is required for new fence work or material changes.
• Zoning and Overlay Standards: Whether the fence meets the applicable height, openness, placement, and material rules for the zoning district and any overlay district.
• Visibility Conflicts: Whether the fence obstructs the required visibility triangle at a driveway, street intersection, or corner lot.
• Encroachments: Whether any portion of the fence extends into City right-of-way, an easement, or a mapped-street setback area.
• Permit Review Routing: The fence permit application form shows review fields for Flood, Zoning, and Building for permit-required projects.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Savannah, 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 Development Services Department and the Planning, Zoning and Urban Design Department and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Savannah staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.