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Roswell, GA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

ADU rules in Roswell, GA, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.

Key Facts

Governing term: Carriage house (ADU)
Approval type: Conditional or limited use
Parking: 1 extra off-street space required
Occupancy: Owner must occupy one unit
Max per lot: One carriage house per lot

ADU Eligibility Quick-Check

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent living unit on the same lot as a single-family home: converted garages, detached cottages, basement or attic conversions, and attached additions all qualify. Most states have streamlined ADU permitting since 2020, but local rules still control size, height, and setback.

Is your lot zoned single-family or multi-family residential?
Does your lot have at least 1,200 sq ft of buildable space?
Is your existing home owner-occupied (in most states this is not required, but some require it for ADU permits)?
Will the ADU stay under your state's size cap (commonly 850-1,200 sq ft for detached)?
Can you provide one off-street parking space (waived in many states within 0.5 mi of transit)?

If you answered 'yes' to most of these, you likely qualify in Georgia under recent ADU streamlining laws. The Roswell, GA rules below cover local size, height, and setback requirements.

Summary

Roswell, Georgia treats a backyard ADU as a 'carriage house': a conditional or limited use requiring City Council or staff approval, one extra parking space, and owner-occupancy of either the main house or the unit.

A small self-contained accessory dwelling unit located on the same lot as a detached house but physically separated for use as a complete, independent living facility, with provisions for cooking, sanitation and sleeping.B.Use Standards. Where a carriage house is allowed as a conditional use, it may be permitted subject to Sec. 13.4.4 and the standards below. Where a carriage house is allowed as a limited use, it is subject to the following:1.Only one carriage house is allowed per lot. Where an attached accessory apartment is proposed or exists, a carriage house is not allowed to be associated with the same detached house;2.One additional off-street parking space must be provided on the lot;3.A carriage house in a Residential District must meet the requirements in Sec. 3.2.6.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 17 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 5).

Full Breakdown

Under the Roswell Unified Development Code § 9.7.2, a carriage house is a small, physically separate accessory dwelling unit on the same lot as a detached house, built for independent living with its own kitchen and bath. Depending on the residential district, it is either a conditional use needing City Council approval under § 13.4.4 or a limited use approved administratively. Only one carriage house is allowed per lot, it needs one additional off-street parking space, and its size must follow the dimensional table at § 3.2.6. The property owner must occupy either the main house or the carriage house and sign a notarized owner-occupancy affidavit.

Violations & Fines

Building a carriage house without City Council or staff approval, skipping the extra parking space, or renting out both units without owner-occupancy can trigger a stop-work order and code enforcement from the City of Roswell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Roswell call it an ADU?

No. Roswell's Unified Development Code calls it a 'carriage house,' defined at § 2.1 and regulated at § 9.7.2, with its own dimensional table at § 3.2.6.

Can I rent out both the house and the carriage house?

No. Roswell requires the property owner to occupy either the main dwelling or the carriage house, not both, and sign a notarized affidavit confirming it.

Sources & Official References

[1]Roswell, Georgia Unified Development Code (Municode)

Other rules in Roswell

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Shed & Carport RulesSome Restrictions ADU Owner OccupancySome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Cat RulesLight Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Exotic PetsSome Restrictions Fire Regulations: Smoke DetectorsSome Restrictions Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSignificant Restrictions

All Roswell rules

How Roswell compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare Roswell to another location·View the Georgia accessory structures overview

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