Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Clayton County

Clayton County, GA Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Tiny home rules in Clayton County, GA, covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds, determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.

Key Facts

Tiny-home ordinance
None; treated as accessory dwelling
Min lot size
12,000 square feet
Location
Rear yard only
Districts
AG, ER, RS-180
Max per lot
One dwelling

Summary

Clayton County has no separate 'tiny home' ordinance. A freestanding backyard living unit is treated as an accessory dwelling: rear yard only, one per lot, and only on lots of at least 12,000 square feet in the AG, ER, or RS-180 district.

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

The accessory dwelling shall be located only within the rear yard... in no case shall an accessory dwelling be located on a lot having less than 12,000 square feet of lot area. One additional parking space shall be provided to serve the accessory dwelling.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 104).

Full Breakdown

There is no tiny-home-specific code in unincorporated Clayton County. A small standalone dwelling is regulated as a freestanding accessory dwelling under the Zoning Ordinance (Sec. AS-05): permitted only as a conditional use in AG, ER, and RS-180, one per residential lot, located only in the rear yard, meeting Article 3 setbacks and minimum lot-area rules, and never on a lot smaller than 12,000 square feet. One extra parking space is required, and the unit must meet building and health codes. Tiny homes on wheels are RVs and cannot be used as a permanent dwelling. Cities such as Jonesboro or Forest Park set their own standards.

Violations & Fines

Placing a tiny home or backyard dwelling without conditional-use approval is a zoning violation subject to fines, removal, and denial of occupancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I live in a tiny home in my backyard?
Only as an approved freestanding accessory dwelling, rear yard, on a lot of at least 12,000 square feet in AG, ER, or RS-180, by conditional use.
Are tiny homes on wheels allowed as houses?
No. A unit on wheels is a recreational vehicle and cannot be occupied as a permanent dwelling under the county's accessory-use standards.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Clayton County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsADU RulesSome RestrictionsShed & Carport RulesSome RestrictionsADU Owner OccupancySignificant RestrictionsGarage ConversionsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All Clayton County rules

Compare Clayton County to another location·View the Georgia accessory structures overview

Get notified when Tiny Homes in Clayton County, GA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.