Gordon County, GA Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)

Section 5.02.01(F)(6) of the Gordon County, Georgia Unified Land Development Code says accessory structures shall not be used as a dwelling unit, except as Section 5.02.02 provides for accessory dwellings. That makes Section 5.02.02 the route for turning a garage into living space in unincorporated Gordon County. Its first subsection names the category directly: accessory dwellings include, but are not limited to, basement apartments, garage apartments, caretaker or other employee quarters and guesthouses. Tents, boats, manufactured storage buildings and mobile structures including RVs and travel trailers are excluded, except that RVs and travel trailers are allowed for occupancy in a campground or travel trailer park.

A converted space inside the principal dwelling follows subsection (C): no more than one (1) accessory dwelling in a principal dwelling unit, accessible from the interior of the principal dwelling, no more than one (1) bedroom, and no more than fifty (50) percent of the habitable floor area of the principal dwelling or 1,200 square feet, whichever is less. One (1) additional off-street parking space is required, and the dwelling must comply with all building and health code standards.

A freestanding unit, including a detached garage with living space above, follows subsection (E). The unit can be located in a second floor over a detached garage or be a separate structure. It is limited to one (1) accessory dwelling unit per residentially zoned lot with no more than two (2) bedrooms, must sit within the rear yard, needs one (1) additional off-street parking space, and the lot must satisfy the minimum lot standards in Table 4.01.01(N). Occupancy is restricted to family members, guests, or individuals employed full-time by the family residing in the principal building for elderly or child care, housekeeping services, or agricultural production. Agriculturally zoned property allows up to five (5) units per lot, and industrially zoned property one (1).

Gordon County Code § 4-38 separately requires an application to the building inspection department and a permit before anyone changes the occupancy of a building or structure.