ADU rules in Chatham County, GA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Accessory dwelling units in Savannah and unincorporated Chatham County are governed by the joint NewZO zoning ordinance (Sec. 8.7.4). NewZO defines an ADU as a separate residential unit on the same lot as the main home, allowed in specified districts on lots meeting minimum-area rules.
Savannah and unincorporated Chatham County share the Chatham County-Savannah Unified Zoning Ordinance (NewZO), administered by the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC). Under NewZO Sec. 8.7.4, an ADU is a self-contained unit with its own bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom on the same lot as the principal dwelling. In A-1, RSF, RTF, RMF, and TR districts, the lot must be at least 200% of the district's minimum lot area to add an ADU. An ADU generally may not exceed 40% of the principal building (up to 1,000 sq ft in large-lot districts such as A-1, RSF-E, RSF-20, RSF-30), must be at least 400 sq ft, and is limited to one bedroom. Historic and conservation overlay properties may require HPC/HDBR review. Confirm current standards
Building or renting an ADU that violates NewZO standards is a zoning violation enforced by the City of Savannah or Chatham County through the MPC, with stop-work orders, citations, and orders to correct or remove the unit.
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