Kennesaw Fence Rules: Permit and Height

Do I need a permit for a fence in Kennesaw? Yes. Section 6.13.01 of the City of Kennesaw's Unified Development Code says all new fencing will be required to obtain a building permit under the building services department. New fences in residential districts can be no more than 4 feet tall in a front yard and 8 feet in side and rear yards, built of solid weather-resistant materials, with the finished side facing out.

Last updated: November 2026.

City or county? Settle this first

Kennesaw is in Cobb County, and its rules apply inside the city limits while Cobb County's rules apply in unincorporated areas. The city's Planning & Zoning page says the permit office can tell you whether your property is inside the city and whether your project needs a permit. This guide covers the City of Kennesaw.

Do you need a permit?

Yes. The fence rules are in Section 6.13.01 of Appendix A of the city's code, the Unified Development Code. It says all new fencing will be required to obtain a building permit under the building services department, and that a location map, dimension and material information will be required as part of the building permit application. The city's Planning & Zoning page lists a Submit for a Fence/Sign Permit service, and the building services page says permits are applied for online.

The same section says all new fences are subject to architectural review by the planning and zoning administrator. Homeowners doing their own work may need a homeowner affidavit, and the process differs when a contractor builds the fence, so say up front who is building it. A city permit is also not the same thing as HOA approval. Your HOA decides that one.

Height limits

Section 6.13.01 sets these limits:

Front yard: new fences in residentially zoned districts cannot exceed four feet in height in the front yard area.
Side and rear yards: no higher than eight feet. The eight-foot cap applies to fences and walls in rear and side yard areas, except subdivision entrance walls, retaining walls, noise abatement walls and tennis court fences.

In plain terms, a solid 6-foot privacy fence fits the side and rear yards, and a front-yard fence should be a short, open style. The section does not say how height is measured on a slope or on top of a retaining wall, so ask the city how it counts yours.

Materials, finished side and the right-of-way

Section 6.13.01 also says:

Materials: all new fences will be made of solid weather-resistant material, including but not limited to wrought iron, wood and alternative materials.
Chain link: can be used on commercial and residentially zoned property if it is not visible from the right-of-way.
Barbed wire: barbed wire fencing components shall not be used in residentially zoned property.
Finished side: all fences will be installed with the finished side facing the adjoining property and rights-of-way, and oriented so that structural posts are not visible.
Right-of-way: no fence or wall on private property may be located on public right-of-way. If a fence is built there in error, the city is not responsible for replacing or repairing it.
Historic District: fences there are subject to the adopted Historic Design Standards.

Corner lots and sight lines

Kennesaw's code has a corner visibility clearance rule, Section 6.06.04. In any district, no fence, structure, sign, planting or other obstruction above a height of three feet may be placed or maintained within 15 feet of the point where the right-of-way lines of two streets meet when extended, or where a street meets a railroad right-of-way. A solid fence near a corner is the kind of thing this rule is aimed at, so keep it back and ask the city where the line falls on your lot.

What this means for a typical Kennesaw fence

Put the pieces together and a typical Kennesaw home looks like this:

A 6-foot wood privacy fence in the side and rear yards fits the 8-foot limit. It needs a building permit and architectural review, and the posts should be on the inside so they are not visible.
Across the front, plan for four feet or less in wood or wrought iron, or aluminum if the planning and zoning administrator accepts it as an alternative material.
Keep the fence off the right-of-way and well back from the corner.
Check your HOA's guidelines, which are often stricter than the city's.

We look at your fence line, your survey and your HOA's guidelines before we give you a written estimate, and we tell you honestly if a style is likely to run into a rule.

Variances and other approvals

If your lot does not fit the code, ask before you build. The UDC's variance section (9.02.02) limits variances to maximum building height, minimum lot width, required spacing for driveways, minimum yard setbacks, and dimensional standards for parking or loading spaces. Fence height and fence materials are not on that list, so a variance may not be available for a fence. Ask the zoning department what your options are, and how a request would work if one is possible. Variances that are allowed need extraordinary conditions tied to the property's size, shape or topography and an unnecessary hardship.

HOA approval. It is separate from the city, and you may need both. We assist with HOA approval forms, and approval itself is always your HOA's decision. See our HOA fence approval guide.
Easements and property lines. Utility and drainage easements can limit where a fence can go. A survey is the best way to confirm your line.
Georgia 811. Before we dig, we call 811 for you, and crews mark the buried gas and power lines.

The fence section we read was last amended in 2015, and rules change, so confirm the details for your yard with the city before you order materials.

Common questions

Does a fence need a permit in Kennesaw?

Yes. The city's code says all new fencing will be required to obtain a building permit under the building services department, with a location map and dimension and material information in the application.

How tall can a fence be in Kennesaw?

In residential districts, no more than four feet in the front yard and eight feet in side and rear yards. New fences are also subject to architectural review by the planning and zoning administrator.

Which side of the fence faces out in Kennesaw?

The finished side must face the adjoining property and rights-of-way, and the fence must be oriented so structural posts are not visible.

Can I use chain link in Kennesaw?

Yes, if it is not visible from the right-of-way, on commercial and residentially zoned property. Barbed wire components are not allowed on residentially zoned property.

How close to a corner can a fence be in Kennesaw?

Nothing above three feet tall may be kept within 15 feet of the point where the right-of-way lines of two streets meet. Ask the city where that line falls on your lot.

Can I put a fence on the right-of-way in Kennesaw?

No. The code says no fence or wall on private property may be located on public right-of-way, and the city is not responsible for repairing or replacing one built there in error.

Can I get a variance for a fence in Kennesaw?

Possibly not. The variance section lists the standards a variance can cover, and fence height and materials are not on that list. Ask the zoning department.

Kennesaw, GA Fence Rules: Permits, Height and Materials