FENCE RULES – HENRY (COUNTY), GEORGIA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within Henry County, subject to local regulations.
This page applies to properties in the unincorporated areas of Henry County; incorporated municipalities regulate fences under their own ordinances.
For typical residential lots in unincorporated Henry County, the principal local rules appear in the Unified Land Development Code, especially Section 7.02.04, Fences and walls. Related visibility standards appear in Section 8.01.08, and current permit status is also reflected in the county’s Permit Required Checklist.
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 Henry County Unified Land Development Code, the Henry County Permit Required Checklist, Building & Plan Review Department, Planning & Zoning, and Code Enforcement as of April 2026.
GOVERNANCE
Henry County regulates residential fences in the unincorporated county through the Unified Land Development Code, which appears as Appendix A to the county code.
The main residential fence rules appear in Section 7.02.04, Fences and walls. Related site and visibility constraints also appear elsewhere in the Unified Land Development Code, including Section 8.01.08 for intersection visibility.
County-facing administrative functions appear through Building & Plan Review Department, Planning & Zoning, and Code Enforcement. For certain front yard fence requests, the code states that the request is handled administratively based on justification and/or hardship and is evaluated by the Architectural Review Committee.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Fences: A new fence, fence replacement, or fence repair, including fence posts, does not require a building permit in unincorporated Henry County. County ordinances still apply.
• Walls: A wall exceeding 4 feet in height requires a building permit.
• Front Yard Fence Review: In RA and on residential lots in R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, RS, RD, RM, and RMH that are not within a subdivision, a front yard fence request is handled administratively based on justification and/or hardship and is evaluated by the Architectural Review Committee.
• 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
• Property Lines: 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.
• Visibility Areas: Fences and walls must be located to avoid interference with the required clear visibility area.
• Traffic and Safety: Fences and walls may not obstruct, hinder, or impede the movement of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and may not present a nuisance, danger, or hazard to the general public.
• Recorded Easements: The code restricts accessory structures within recorded drainage, sanitary sewer, and utility easements. The residential fence section does not publish a separate easement exception.
• 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 Height Limits: In residential zoning districts RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, RS, RD, RM, and RMH, fence height may be up to 6 feet in the front yard and 8 feet in the side and rear yard.
• Height Measurement: Fence height is measured from the ground level at the base of the fence to the topmost part of the fence.
• Corner Lots: On corner lots in all zoning districts, no fence, shrubbery, or other obstruction may be placed within sight line triangles in a way that blocks or disrupts line of sight.
• Intersection Sight Distance: The published minimum intersection sight distances range from 280 feet at 25 mph to 610 feet at 55 mph.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Decorative Fences: The code treats wood, stone, masonry, and wrought iron as decorative fencing.
• RA Lots: On lots zoned RA, decorative fences and chain link fences are permitted. Barbed wire and welded or hog wire are also permitted. Electric fencing is allowed subject to the electric fence rules below. A front yard fence request in RA is handled administratively and evaluated by the Architectural Review Committee.
• Residential Lots Within a Subdivision: On lots zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, RS, RD, RM, and RMH that are within a subdivision, decorative fences and chain link fences are allowed only in the side and rear yard. Barbed wire, welded or hog wire, and electric fencing are not permitted in that setting.
• Residential Lots Not Within a Subdivision: On lots zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, RS, RD, RM, and RMH that are not within a subdivision, decorative fences and chain link fences are permitted. A front yard fence request in this setting is handled administratively and evaluated by the Architectural Review Committee. Barbed wire is allowed only at the top of the fence or wall and only in the side and rear yard. Welded or hog wire is allowed only in the side and rear yard. Electric fencing is allowed only in the side and rear yard, subject to the electric fence rules below.
• Electric Fencing: Electric fencing is permitted only on residential lots not within a platted subdivision. On parcels greater than 3 acres that are not within a platted subdivision, electric fencing may be located anywhere on the property.
• Electric Fence Warning Signs: Warning signs are required at each corner of an electric fence. Each sign must identify the type and voltage of the fence. Each sign may not exceed 4 square feet in area.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
HOA rules, subdivision covenants, easement restrictions, and private agreements operate independently of county regulations and may be more restrictive than Henry County 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:
• Administrative Front Yard Review: Front yard fence requests in RA and on residential lots outside subdivisions in R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, RS, RD, RM, and RMH are handled administratively and evaluated by the Architectural Review Committee.
• Wall Permit Review: Walls exceeding 4 feet in height fall into the county’s stated building permit requirement.
• Visibility Hazards: Fences, walls, or vegetation that impair sight distance at a curve or intersection must be made conforming within 60 days.
• Traffic or Hazard Conditions: Fences that obstruct pedestrian or vehicular movement, or that present a nuisance, danger, or hazard, fall within the published fence standards.
• Code Administration: The code states that the administrator, building official, and other duly authorized designees have authority to administer and enforce the Unified Land Development Code.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within Henry County, 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 Building & Plan Review Department and Planning & Zoning and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from Henry County staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.