Brookhaven, GA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Section 27-325 sends accessory uses and structures to article VII, and division 11 of that article (section 27-696) holds the general rule for the City of Brookhaven, Georgia. Accessory uses are allowed only in connection with a lawfully established principal use, can be established only after the principal use is in place, and must be on the same lot unless the code says otherwise.

Accessory buildings and structures are subject to the same regulations that apply to principal uses and structures on the lot, unless otherwise expressly stated. An accessory building attached to the house by a breezeway, passageway or similar means counts as part of the primary structure and takes the principal building's lot and building regulations. One attached only by structures less than 30 inches in height, such as patios, walks and decks without railing, stays an accessory building.

Section 27-696(e)(2) sets building separation: a minimum of ten feet from the principal building, unless the accessory building is located entirely within the principal building setbacks, in which case no separation is required. Structures less than 30 inches in height are not subject to separation. Under section 27-696(f), each lot used or zoned for detached single dwellings gets one accessory building or structure up to 120 square feet that is not subject to subsection (e). The exemption names subsection (e) only, so ask the community development department how it applies the district table rows to a shed of that size.

The district tables set the numbers for accessory buildings in RS districts. Table 2-3 prints Side Street setbacks of 35, 35, 20, 15 and 5 feet for RS-100 through RS-50, Interior Side setbacks of 10, 8.5, 7.5, 6 and 5 feet, and a Rear setback of 10 feet in every column. Front Street placement is permitted behind the rear wall plane of the principal dwelling unless expressly stated. Accessory building height is 20 feet or the height of the principal building, whichever is less. Footnote 5 keeps accessory structures from extending beyond the architectural front wall plane of the adjacent house when the rear yard adjoins a neighbor's side yard, unless enclosed by an opaque fence at least six feet tall.