---
title: Duluth UDC § 304.02 — Duluth
jurisdiction: duluth
governing_jurisdiction: Duluth
source_url: "https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf"
effective_date: "2026-07-13"
as_of: "2026-08-13"
canonical: "https://www.gwindex.net/code/duluth/304.02"
licence: "CC0-1.0"
---

# Duluth UDC § 304.02

Fences and Freestanding Walls

**Governing jurisdiction: Duluth.** A "Duluth, GA" mailing address is usually NOT in the City of Duluth. Unincorporated Gwinnett is 67.3% of the county's land area and is governed by a different code, a different board and a different permit portal. Resolve the governing jurisdiction before answering any zoning question.


- **Article:** 3 — Restrictions on Particular Uses
- **Pages in source:** 98–99
- **Adopted:** 2025-09-08
- **Amended through:** 2026-07-13
- **Source:** https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf

## Text

a. Maximum Height Limitations. No wall or fence shall exceed 8 feet in height within a side yard or rear yard.

No wall or fence shall exceed 4 feet in height within a front yard.
b. Retaining Walls.

1. Retaining walls shall be constructed of interlocking masonry block, brick or other decorative
material as approved by the Planning and Development Director.
2. Timber walls are prohibited.
3. Walls shall meet all City design standards and must be included in site development plans.
4. All walls exceeding 3’11” in height shall require a separate review and permit.

97 | P a g e

Article Three. Restrictions on Particular Uses

c.
Design Standards for Decorative Fences. Fences within the required front yard must meet the following
specifications and conditions:

1. The maximum height shall be 4 feet within a front yard or 8
feet in height in the balance of the yard. The Director of
Planning can grant an administrative exception allowing for
up to a 5 feet high decorative fence within the required
front yard. (Note: No fence shall be allowed to obstruct site
distances at any time. If there is any site distance
obstruction due to fence height, said fence shall be pushed
back toward the principal structure until said site distance is
no longer obstructed).
2. Fence shall be constructed with natural wood, simulated
wood, brick columns or decorative ornamental iron only.
3. The distance between the pickets must be a minimum of 2
inches.
4. The color of the fence must be natural wood colors, neutral
colors such as white, beige, ivory, cream off-white, or black, dark green wrought iron or the same
color as the facade of the principal structure on the property.
5. Solid panel or privacy fences are not allowed within the required front yard.
6. Electric fencing is prohibited, with the exception that invisible fencing used to contain domestic
animals on the property is allowed.
d. All fences shall be maintained in a structurally sound condition, in good repair, and free from loose,

Illustrative Examples of

3-Feet High Decorative Fences

missing, or rotting materials. If painted, the paint on such fences shall be maintained without peeling,
chipping, or fading. Fences shall be kept clean and free of visible mold, mildew, or algae growths.