Marietta Fence Rules: Permit and Height

Do I need a permit for a fence in Marietta? Usually not a building permit. The City of Marietta says most fences built within the city do not need a building permit, and its FAQ says fence construction is exempt. But Planning and Zoning has rules for height, location and materials: ornamental fences of 4 feet or less in the front yard, 6 feet in major side yards, 8 feet in other cases, a 2-foot setback from the right-of-way, and the finished side facing out.

Last updated: November 2026.

Do you need a permit?

The City of Marietta's Fences page says that although most fences built within the city do not need a building permit, the city does have regulations on the height, placement and materials of new fences. Its Building Permits FAQ says the same thing in one line: although fence construction is exempt, Planning and Zoning has specific requirements for height, location and configuration. That means you can skip the building permit in most cases, but not the zoning rules below.

A pool is different. The city lists its own pool barrier rule, covered later, and a pool has its own permit. A city rule is also not the same thing as HOA approval. Your HOA decides that one, and many Marietta neighborhoods have their own fence guidelines.

Height limits by yard

The fence rules are in Section 710.04 of the Zoning Ordinance, "Fences and walls." In all zoning districts except Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial and PID, it says:

Front yard of any parcel on a public or private street: no more than 4 feet tall, and ornamental or decorative in nature.
Major side yards, and the rear yard of double frontage lots: no more than 6 feet tall, and ornamental or decorative in nature.
Subdivision entrances in residential areas: a fence or wall along the right-of-way can be up to 8 feet, ornamental, with brick, stone or stucco columns no more than 40 feet apart, and city staff must review it first.
All other instances: no more than 8 feet.

In the Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial and PID districts, a fence in the front yard of a property on an arterial or collector street can be up to 6 feet and ornamental, and 8 feet in other instances. Retaining walls are not covered by this section. In plain terms, a 6-foot privacy fence fits in a standard back yard, and a front-yard fence should be a short ornamental style. The code does not define "major side yard" in this section, so ask the city whether your side yard counts as one, especially on a corner lot.

Setbacks, the finished side and corner lots

Section 710.04 sets these rules for all fences and walls:

Setback: except as otherwise provided, fences or walls cannot be built within 2 feet of a public right-of-way.
Finished side: the finished side must face the exterior. The code defines it as the side with no visible support structures. Shadowbox fences and dual-sided fences with decorative elements on both sides, such as trim, post caps and x-cross beams, are allowed exterior finishes. Where chain link is allowed, it is not subject to the finished-side rule.
Timing: when the code requires a fence, it must be finished before the main building is occupied.

Corner lots are covered by Section 710.12, which says all corner visibility regulations must be met. Section 710.04 also says all properties must follow Section 716.04, which we did not read, so ask the city about the sight-line rule at your corner before you set the fence line.

Materials

The code says decorative or ornamental fences and walls must be built of durable materials such as wood, brick, stone, wrought iron or split rail. They cannot be built of exposed concrete block or of used or discarded material in disrepair, such as pallets, tree trunks, trash, tires or junk. The city's Fences page lists wood, brick, stone, split rail and wrought iron or aluminum as examples of durable materials, and its FAQ says chain link is not allowed in the front yard.

The code also covers barbed wire. A fence with barbed wire, spikes or similar devices, or an electric charge, cannot have them within 6 feet of the ground. No fence may have them in a yard fronting a street on property zoned residential, commercial, central business district or office, and they cannot extend more than 20 inches above the fence.

Pool fences

Section 710.04 says all swimming pools shall be enclosed by a fence not less than 4 feet high with a self-closing, self-latching gate, unless the Director of Development Services approves otherwise. A pool also needs its own permit through the city's online permitting system. See our pool fencing page for the styles we install.

What this means for a typical Marietta fence

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

A 6-foot wood privacy fence in a standard back yard fits the 8-foot general limit. Ask the city whether your side yard is a major side yard, which is capped at 6 feet and must be ornamental.
Across the front, use a short ornamental style, such as black aluminum or a wood picket, at 4 feet or less. Chain link is not allowed there.
Keep the fence at least 2 feet off the public right-of-way, with the finished side facing out.
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 about a variance before you build. The Zoning Ordinance's Division 720 covers quasi-judicial decisions and the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Department of Development Services can tell you what applies to a fence on your lot and how to apply.

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.

Section 710.04 was amended as recently as June 2025, and rules change, so confirm the details for your yard with the city before you order materials.

Common questions

Does a fence need a building permit in Marietta?

Usually not. The city says most fences built within the city do not need a building permit, and its FAQ says fence construction is exempt. Planning and Zoning still has requirements for height, location and configuration.

How tall can a fence be in a Marietta front yard?

No more than 4 feet, and it must be ornamental or decorative in nature. The city's FAQ says chain link is not allowed in the front yard.

How tall can a backyard fence be in Marietta?

Up to 8 feet in most other cases. Fences in major side yards, or in the rear yard of a double frontage lot, are limited to 6 feet and must be ornamental or decorative.

How close to the street can a fence be in Marietta?

No closer than 2 feet to a public right-of-way, except where the code provides otherwise. Measure from the right-of-way line on your survey.

Which side of the fence faces out in Marietta?

The finished side, meaning the side with no visible support structures, must face the exterior. Shadowbox fences and dual-sided fences with decorative elements on both sides are allowed.

What does a Marietta pool fence need?

A fence at least 4 feet high with a self-closing, self-latching gate, unless the Director of Development Services approves otherwise. A pool also needs its own permit.

Can I get a variance for a fence in Marietta?

Maybe. Division 720 covers the Board of Zoning Appeals. Ask the Department of Development Services how a variance would work for your lot.

Marietta, GA Fence Rules: Permits, Height and Materials