Atlanta, GA Accessory Structures: ADU Impact Fees (2026)

Atlanta is one of the Georgia municipalities that have adopted impact fees under the Georgia Development Impact Fee Act (O.C.G.A. §36-71-1 through §36-71-13), originally enacted 1990 and amended periodically since. Atlanta's local enabling ordinance is codified at Code of Ordinances Chapter 16 Article XVIII (Impact Fees), specifically §16-23. Fee categories include: Parks and Recreation Impact Fee, Transportation Impact Fee, Public Safety Impact Fee (Police and Fire), and Fire Suppression Impact Fee. Fees are calculated per new dwelling unit using land use category multipliers — ADUs are typically charged at the 'accessory unit' or reduced 'multi-family' rate rather than full single-family, recognizing the smaller infrastructure impact. The Capital Improvements Element (CIE) of the City's Comprehensive Plan establishes the underlying fee schedule, which is updated periodically. Impact fees must be paid before the building permit is issued and are collected by the Department of City Planning. O.C.G.A. §36-71-9 requires that fees collected be spent on improvements benefitting the development from which the fee was collected, within a defined service area, within six years.