South Fulton, GA Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)

The City of South Fulton's Zoning Ordinance (Appendix C) does not contain a dedicated section permitting or limiting the conversion of a garage to habitable or rental space. Two of its provisions govern the practical outcomes. First, if a homeowner converts a garage into a separate dwelling unit with a kitchen and sleeping space, that unit functions as an accessory dwelling, which the Code treats as a "Guest House" under Section 303.09 - limited to one per lot, located in the rear yard, with 650 to 1,500 square feet of heated floor area, occupied only by relatives, guests, or non-paying on-site employees. A detached garage is itself listed as a customary accessory structure in Section 303.02. Second, a homeowner cannot run a business out of a converted garage: Section 303.10 (home occupations) provides that "accessory buildings and structures may not be used for the home occupation," limits the occupation to the smaller of 25% or 750 square feet of the dwelling unit's gross floor area, and bars outside storage, display, or activity. Any structural conversion also requires building permits and must satisfy the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes and the principal-building setbacks. Because Georgia does not preempt local zoning here, South Fulton's standards apply.