Unincorporated Forsyth County fence rules
Do you need a fence permit in the Unincorporated Forsyth County? No. Unincorporated Forsyth County does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
At buildit.dog you can draw your fence on an aerial photo of your lot and check it against Unincorporated Forsyth County's rules before you build. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- No (typical residential fence) source
- Side and rear yards
- 8 ft in required rear setbacks source
- Front (street) yard
- 48 inches in front yards (gates up to 6.5 ft) source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences and freestanding walls are exempt from setback requirements (UDC 10-1.15).
- How to apply
- Call 770-886-2772
How to build within the rules in the Unincorporated Forsyth County
- Fence 6 ft or under? No County permit is needed; keep front-yard fences to 48 inches.
- Over 6 ft? Apply for a Residential Fence Retaining Wall Permit through the County's Customer Self Service portal (call Building & Licensing at 770-886-2772 for help).
- Call 811 before digging.
Who to contact
- Phone
- 770-886-2772
- Hours
- 8:30 am-5:00 pm Monday-Friday
- Address
- Building & Licensing, 110 East Main Street, Suite 100, Cumming, GA 30040
What to submit
- Over 6 ft: Residential Fence Retaining Wall Permit (retaining walls over 6 ft also need an engineered design)
Other rules to know
- UDC 16-4.13: permits are required for fences and walls over six feet; the rules don't apply to agricultural lots or lots not in a final platted subdivision.
Before you dig
Call 811 before digging post holes so underground utility lines are marked. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. County parcel maps can be off by several feet; if you're not sure where the line is, a licensed land surveyor can stake it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in the Unincorporated Forsyth County, GA?
No. Unincorporated Forsyth County does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
How tall can a fence be in the Unincorporated Forsyth County?
Side and rear yards: 8 ft in required rear setbacks. Front (street) yard: 48 inches in front yards (gates up to 6.5 ft).
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Unincorporated Forsyth County?
Fences and freestanding walls are exempt from setback requirements (UDC 10-1.15).
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Unincorporated Forsyth County?
Forsyth County. Phone 770-886-2772.
Sources
Summarized from Unincorporated Forsyth County's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Unified Development Code §16-4.13 Fences and walls
Work for Unincorporated Forsyth County? Help us keep this right
If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Municipal staff reports are reviewed first. Please include a link to the current ordinance, form or fee schedule if you can.