Albany fence rules

The City of Albany and Dougherty County share a zoning ordinance. Its Title Three, Miscellaneous Regulations, holds the sections most homeowners run into when planning a fence.

Corner visibility (Section 1.11)

Within 20 feet of the intersection of two street right-of-way lines, no fence, wall, shrub, sign or other obstruction to vision may stand between 3½ and 15 feet above street level.

Swimming pools (Section 1.16)

All swimming pools must be enclosed by a fence at least 4 feet high, and building a pool requires a permit application. See pool fences.

Screening walls and fences (Section 1.06)

This section mainly covers screening for commercial and industrial sites, where walls and fences must be at least 6 feet tall. It lists approved screening materials (wood-appearance materials, brick or stone, hard-coat stucco or tabby, and fencing at least 80% opaque) and says chain link in front yards and yards next to a street is permitted only in M districts.

Grading (Section 1.20)

Lots are to be graded so surface water flows away from buildings. A fence shouldn't undo that by damming water against the house.

Heights and permits for ordinary yard fences

The sections above don't set a single height for residential yard fences or say whether a fence alone needs a permit. Ask the City of Albany Planning & Development office for your address and zoning district before building. Neighborhood covenants may add their own limits.

Georgia 811

Submit a free locate ticket at least 3 business days before digging post holes.