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

Some Restrictions

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

Shed permit rules in DeKalb County, GA, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.

Key Facts

Max shed size, under 1 acre: 900 sq ft
Rear setback: 10 feet minimum
Height limit: 24 feet
Location: Rear yard required
Scope: Unincorporated DeKalb only

Summary

In unincorporated DeKalb County, a shed or accessory building maxes out at 900 square feet on lots under an acre, must sit at least 10 feet off the rear line, and can't top 24 feet in height.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of DeKalb County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Accessory buildings or structures shall meet the minimum side yard setback for the district or ten (10) feet, whichever is less, and shall not be located closer than ten (10) feet to a rear lot line in any district. ...an accessory structure shall be limited to the lesser of twenty-four (24) feet in height or the height of the principal structure... The floor area of an accessory building(s) that is accessory to a single-family, two-family, or three-family residential structure shall not exceed the maximum floor areas set forth in Table 4.2 below.

Source: Dekalb County Municipal CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

County zoning caps accessory building floor area on a sliding scale tied to lot size: 900 square feet under 1 acre, 1,200 square feet on 1 to 4.999 acres, 2,000 square feet on 5 to 9.999 acres, and no cap above 10 acres. Sheds and other accessory structures must sit in the rear yard, meet the district's side-yard setback or 10 feet (whichever is smaller), and stay at least 10 feet off the rear property line. Height is capped at 24 feet, and the structure must be built of material similar to the main house. This applies only in unincorporated DeKalb, cities like Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Tucker and Decatur enforce their own codes.

Violations & Fines

DeKalb's planning and sustainability department enforces zoning through code compliance; an oversized or misplaced shed can be ordered removed, relocated, or brought into compliance before a permit is issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big can my shed be in unincorporated DeKalb County?

Up to 900 square feet on a lot under 1 acre, scaling up to 2,000 square feet on 5-9.999 acres; lots of 10 acres or more have no size cap under § 4.2.2(J).

How far must a shed be from my property line?

At least 10 feet from the rear line, and the smaller of the district's side setback or 10 feet from the side line, per § 4.2.2(C)(3).

Sources & Official References

[1]DeKalb County Code of Ordinances § 4.2.2 (Article 4, Use Regulations)

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All DeKalb County rules

How DeKalb County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare DeKalb County to another location·View the Georgia accessory structures overview

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