ADU rules in South Fulton, GA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
South Fulton's Zoning Ordinance treats an accessory dwelling unit as a "Guest House" - a detached unit on the same lot as a single-family home. Under Section 303.09, only one is allowed per lot, it must be in the rear yard, and heated floor area must be between 650 and 1,500 square feet. Principal-building setbacks apply.
The City of South Fulton incorporated in 2017 and adopted its own Zoning Ordinance (Appendix C of the Code of Ordinances) on December 8, 2020, replacing the inherited Fulton County resolution. Its definitions section defines a "Guest House" as "a detached accessory dwelling unit located on the same lot with a single-family dwelling unit and used by relatives, guest or employees that work on the property without payment for rent." The operative standards are in Section 303.09: no more than one guest house structure per lot may be used for occupancy; a separate kitchen facility is allowed; heated floor area must be a minimum of 650 square feet and a maximum of 1,500 square feet; principal building setbacks apply; and the location is limited to the rear yard. Because occupancy is restricted to relatives, guests, or on-site employees who do not pay rent, a guest house is not a rental ADU. A smaller 400-square-foot "Tiny House" may be built as the guest house instead (see Tiny Homes). Like all accessory structures, a guest house must be constructed concurrently with or after the principal dwelling (Section 402). South Fulton administers these rules itself; Georgia has no statewide ADU mandate, so the city's standards control.
Building more than one guest house, exceeding the 1,500-square-foot maximum (or going under the 650-square-foot minimum), placing it outside the rear yard, renting it out, or building it without a principal dwelling violates the Zoning Ordinance and is enforced by the Department of Community Development and Regulatory Affairs through permitting denial and code-enforcement action.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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