Do I Need a Survey Before Building a Fence?

The Short Answer: You Should

Georgia does not have a blanket state law that requires a survey before you build a fence. However, many counties and municipalities require a fence permit, and permit offices often ask for proof that the fence will be placed within your property boundaries. Even in areas where no permit is needed, getting a boundary survey first is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself from expensive problems later.

At S&S Land Surveying in Cedartown, GA, we regularly work with homeowners who wish they had called us before the fence went up rather than after a dispute started. Here is what you need to know.

Georgia Fence Laws and Property Lines

Under Georgia law, a fence must be built on your own property. If your fence crosses the property line -- even by a few inches -- your neighbor has the right to ask you to remove it. If you refuse, they can take legal action, and courts have consistently sided with the property owner whose land was encroached upon.

Additionally, Georgia is a "fence out" state in rural areas, meaning landowners are generally responsible for fencing their own property to keep animals out rather than requiring neighbors to fence them in. In subdivisions and municipalities, local ordinances usually control fence height, material, and setback requirements.

The key point: the placement of the fence depends entirely on knowing exactly where your property lines are. And the only reliable way to determine that is with a professional survey.

The Cost Comparison: Survey vs. Moving a Fence

A boundary survey in Georgia typically costs between $300 and $800 for a standard residential lot. Compare that to these potential costs if you skip the survey:

• Fence removal and rebuild -- Tearing out a privacy fence and reinstalling it can easily cost $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on length and materials.
• Legal fees -- If the dispute escalates to court, attorney costs in Georgia can range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more, even for relatively simple boundary cases.
• Damaged neighbor relationships -- The non-financial cost of a property line dispute is real. What starts as a fence disagreement can become years of tension.

A survey is a small upfront investment that eliminates all of these risks.

Do You Need to Notify Your Neighbor?

Georgia does not require you to notify your neighbor before building a fence, but it is a good practice. If you have had a survey done, sharing the results with your neighbor before construction begins can prevent misunderstandings. Most neighbors appreciate the transparency, and it sets a cooperative tone.

If your neighbor disagrees with where the property line falls, the survey plat prepared by a licensed professional surveyor serves as authoritative documentation. In our experience at S&S Land Surveying, having a recorded plat on hand resolves the vast majority of neighbor concerns before they become disputes.

What to Expect From a Pre-Fence Survey

When you hire S&S Land Surveying for a boundary survey before building a fence, here is the typical process:

• We research your deed and county records to determine the legal description of your property.
• Our crew visits your property to locate existing markers and measure boundaries with professional GPS and total station equipment.
• We set iron pins at each corner of your property so the fence contractor knows exactly where to build.
• We prepare a legal plat that you can keep for your records and provide to your fence company.

Most residential boundary surveys are completed within one to two weeks of scheduling. The property line marking we provide gives your fence installer clear physical reference points to work from.

Ready to build your fence with confidence? Call S&S Land Surveying at 678-873-3119 or request a free estimate online.