Fence Installation Permits in Savannah

Local Rule

City of Savannah Development Services Department; Savannah Code of Ordinances

Savannah requires a Fence Permit to construct a wood or chain-link fence over 7 feet in height; masonry and concrete fences, or any fence structure intended to retain or support earth, need a permit under a different provision of the same section. Standard residential fence height outside overlay districts is generally 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards. Properties within the Savannah Historic District, one of the largest in the country, need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic District Board of Review for any new fence, wall, or substantial modification, regardless of the base building-permit threshold; the board evaluates materials, height, style, and placement for compatibility with the district's character.

Source · Verified September 2026

Savannah Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Chatham County

Savannah's own rule is shown above (No permit under 7 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Chatham County / City of Savannah — zoning ordinances

Fence rules in the Savannah area depend heavily on where you are and whether you are in a historic district. In unincorporated Chatham County, the zoning ordinance (Sec. 5-1) requires a building permit for a wall or fence, with sight-distance rules near intersections. Inside the City of Savannah, a fence permit is required only for a wood or chain-link fence over 7 feet (masonry or concrete fences of any type always need one), under Zoning Ordinance Sec. 9.6. The big distinction is historic: Savannah has one of the largest historic districts in the country, and within it ANY new fence, wall, or substantial modification requires a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the Metropolitan Planning Commission's Historic District Board of Review, a design review of materials, height, style, and placement that is separate from and in addition to the building permit, and can add roughly 6 to 10 weeks. Wrought iron and aluminum (and certain wood styles) are favored over vinyl or chain link

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Savannah with a confirmed fence installation rule:

FAQs

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