Gordon County, GA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Gordon 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
- Yard location
- Rear yard, unless otherwise provided
- Setback
- 10 feet from property lines not abutting a street
- Street side
- District front yard setback applies
- Metal building size
- 600 square feet on less than two acres
- Building permit
- None for 10 by 12 feet or less (Code § 4-38)
- Easements
- Not allowed on recorded or required easements
Summary
In unincorporated Gordon County, accessory buildings in residential districts go in the rear yard and sit at least ten (10) feet from property lines that do not abut a street. Pre-engineered metal buildings are capped at 600 square feet on less than two acres. An accessory building of ten by twelve feet or less needs no building permit.
1.Unless otherwise provided, accessory structures shall be located only in a rear yard of the lot on which the principal building is located; ... 7.Accessory structures shall comply with the following setbacks:a.In all residential zoning districts accessory structures shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet from all property lines which do not abut a street right-of-way and shall observe the front yard setback requirements of the district along all property lines which do abut a street right-of-way, with the exception that a detached garage or carport may be allowed in a side yard and shall be required to comply with the principal building setback requirements of the district; ... 8.Pre-engineered or pre-assembled metal accessory structures shall be: no larger than six hundred (600) square feet in area on less than two (2) acres; no larger than two thousand (2,000) square feet in area on two (2) to five (5) acres; and, on more than five (5) acres, the metal accessory structure may have an additional one thousand (1,000) square feet in area per additional five (5) acres.
Full Breakdown
Section 5.02.01 of the Gordon County, Georgia Unified Land Development Code governs sheds, workshops, detached garages and other accessory structures in residential districts. Accessory structures must be on the same lot as, and subordinate to, the principal use or structure (subsection C). Under subsection (F)(1), unless otherwise provided they are located only in the rear yard of the lot holding the principal building. They cannot sit on or within any recorded or required easement, and they count toward impervious surface ratio and stormwater management calculations. Other than fences, they cannot be placed within a required buffer or landscaping area, parking lot, protected resource area or stormwater management area.
Setbacks are in subsection (F)(7). In residential districts an accessory structure must be at least ten (10) feet from all property lines that do not abut a street right-of-way and must observe the district's front yard setback along any line that abuts a street right-of-way. A detached garage or carport can be placed in a side yard, but it must then meet the principal building setback. In non-residential districts accessory structures meet the setback requirements for a principal building.
Subsection (F)(8) sizes pre-engineered or pre-assembled metal buildings: no larger than 600 square feet on less than two (2) acres, no larger than 2,000 square feet on two (2) to five (5) acres, and on more than five (5) acres an additional 1,000 square feet per additional five (5) acres.
Use limits apply too. Accessory structures in residential districts cannot be used for commercial operations except under Section 5.01.02, and cannot be used as a dwelling unit except as Section 5.02.02 provides. A building can also be placed on a separately platted lot if that lot abuts the principal lot, has the same ownership and meets the setback standards (subsection G).
On permits, Gordon County Code § 4-38 says accessory buildings ten (10) feet by twelve (12) feet or less do not require a building permit, but any accessory building requiring a branch circuit panel board and/or a utility service must have one, and buildings that skip the permit must still meet the setback requirements.
Violations & Fines
A shed built in the front yard, inside an easement, or closer than ten (10) feet to a side or rear property line violates Section 5.02.01, as does an oversized metal building. The County Administrator sends written notice under Section 10.05.03, and Section 10.05.05(C) lets the County issue a stop work order that can be appealed to the Board of Appeals. A conviction under Section 10.05.04 carries a fine up to $1,000 or 60 days imprisonment, or both, per violation, each day counted separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I put a shed on my lot in unincorporated Gordon County?
How close to the property line can a shed be?
Do I need a building permit for a shed?
How large can a metal storage building be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gordon County
How Gordon County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Gordon County to another location·View the Georgia accessory structures overview
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