Floyd County, GA Accessory Structures: ADU Owner Occupancy (2026)

29. Where the underlying zoning district otherwise permits an accessory apartment, the code sets six conditions. First, the footprint of an existing primary dwelling or an existing detached garage cannot be increased or expanded to accommodate the unit, so it has to fit within an already-built footprint. Second, and central to the rule, the principal residential building on the lot must be occupied by the property's owner; a landlord who does not live on the property cannot add an accessory apartment. Third, only one accessory apartment is permitted per lot.

Fourth, the unit must preserve the single-family character of the neighborhood and stay visually subordinate to the main house. Fifth, floor area is capped at 750 square feet or 40 percent of the principal building's floor area, whichever number is lower. Sixth, one off-street parking space must be provided on the same lot for the accessory apartment. Applications run through the joint Rome-Floyd County Planning Department and Building Inspection division, which reviews zoning compliance and any required building permit before construction begins.