What Roswell Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Roswell, Georgia may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 77 tracked ordinances across 29 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: Amplified music in Roswell must stay within the §8.8.3 residential decibel caps (70 dBA day / 60 dBA night) measured at neighboring property lines. The city's code explicitly prohibits amplified-sound permits that would allow events to exceed those limits..

Also covered: Quiet Hours (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (permissive). See the full noise ordinances guide for Roswell for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Permit Requirements: Roswell adopted Ordinance 2024-05-09 (the city's first STR ordinance) effective June 9, 2025, with full enforcement starting January 31, 2026. Operators must register the unit, pay a $35 non-refundable registration fee, carry general commercial liability insurance, and obtain a city business license..

Also covered: Occupancy Limits (moderate), Insurance Requirements (strict), Taxes & Fees (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Roswell for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Roswell prohibits all outdoor open burning except activities specifically allowed by the ordinance (recreational cooking fires and certain regulated activities). The Roswell Fire Marshal can suspend even those exemptions during dry or high-wind conditions..

Also covered: Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Smoke Detectors (moderate), Fireworks (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Roswell for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Roswell UDC §12.1 requires a tree removal permit before removing, poisoning, damaging, trimming, or transplanting any tree with a 3-inch trunk diameter at breast height (DBH) on residential property. Removal without a permit triggers a $1,000-per-tree penalty..

Also covered: Water Restrictions (moderate), Grass Height Limits (moderate), Tree Trimming (strict). See the full landscaping rules guide for Roswell for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Roswell's Unified Development Code allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in limited residential zoning districts subject to size caps, owner-occupancy of the primary unit, and architectural-review standards. Garage conversions and second-floor apartments above garages are the most common forms..

Also covered: Shed Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Roswell for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Pools deeper than 24 inches must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches (4 feet) tall on the outside-facing side. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching, with no gap allowing a 4-inch sphere through any opening..

Also covered: Permit Requirements (moderate), Height Limits (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Roswell for details.

Parking Rules

Abandoned Vehicles: A junk vehicle - inoperable, unregistered, wrecked, rusted, dismantled, abandoned, or discarded - may not be parked, stored, or left on public or private property in Roswell. Code Enforcement issues notice and orders removal, and abandoned vehicles can be towed under O.C.G.A.

Also covered: Street Parking Limits (moderate), RV & Boat Parking (moderate), Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Roswell for details.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: Roswell prohibits keeping inherently dangerous wild animals as pets - big cats, primates, venomous snakes, large constrictors, alligators, etc. Georgia state law (O.C.G.A.

Also covered: Beekeeping (permissive), Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Roswell for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: All property in Roswell must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free of junk, litter, refuse, and overgrowth. Responsibility falls on the owner, the resident, and any person in control of the property.

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Roswell for details.

Home Business

Zoning Restrictions: Roswell's UDC explicitly prohibits certain uses as home occupations regardless of permits: auto sales/repair, restaurants, animal hospitals/kennels, funeral homes, retail or wholesale shops, machine shops, personal service establishments, special event facilities, and lodging services..

Also covered: Home Occupation Permits (moderate). See the full home business guide for Roswell for details.

Trash & Recycling

Pickup Rules & Schedules: Roswell provides weekly curbside collection of household garbage, recycling, and yard waste using city-owned containers. The pickup window is 8 a.m.

Also covered: Bulk Item Disposal (permissive), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Recycling Requirements (permissive). See the full trash & recycling guide for Roswell for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Safety Rules: Roswell pools must meet Georgia State Minimum Pool Code safety provisions: 48-inch barrier, self-closing/self-latching gates, anti-entrapment drain covers (VGB Act compliant), and door alarms or self-closing/self-latching for any house door opening onto the pool area..

Also covered: Pool Permits (strict), Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Above-Ground Pools (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Roswell for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Door-to-door solicitors and peddlers must obtain a permit from Roswell Police Records under Roswell Code Art. 10.9 before soliciting in the city.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: UDC §12.1.3 requires a permit to remove, poison, damage, trim, or transplant any tree 3 inches or more in diameter at breast height (DBH). Removal without a permit triggers an automatic $1,000-per-tree penalty..

Also covered: Heritage & Protected Trees (strict). See the full tree protection guide for Roswell for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Mobile food vendors operating in Roswell must obtain a city license, carry $1 million in liability insurance, comply with Fulton County Health Department food-service rules, operate only between 6:30 a.m. and sunset, and stay at least 200 feet from the nearest restaurant unless that business consents..

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Garage and yard sale signs in Roswell are limited to a maximum of 6 signs per sale, must not exceed 4 square feet each, must be at least 10 feet from the curb, and may only be displayed Thursday through Sunday. No charge for the permit or decals..

Also covered: Political Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Roswell for details.

Filming & Production

Location Permits: Filming on city property or in the public right-of-way in Roswell requires a film permit through the Roswell FilmApp portal. Operations are limited to 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Properties along the Chattahoochee River and Big Creek in Roswell sit within FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zone AE). New construction or substantial improvement in those zones requires elevation to at least 1 foot above Base Flood Elevation (BFE), a floodplain development permit, and an Elevation Certificate..

Also covered: Stormwater Management (strict), Erosion Control (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Roswell for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Setback distances in Roswell vary by zoning district under UDC Article 3 (Residential Districts). Typical R-1/R-2 single-family districts require 50 ft front, 10-15 ft side, and 35-40 ft rear setbacks, measured from property lines (not landscape-buffer edges)..

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Roswell for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: Roswell's UDC includes lighting standards that limit light trespass onto adjacent residential property and glare visible from public streets. Commercial and multi-family lighting must be shielded; residential security lighting is treated as a §8.8.3 nuisance if it shines into neighboring bedrooms..

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Roswell requires a free permit before any yard or garage sale. Each address is limited to 3 sales per calendar year.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Residential solar PV installations in Roswell require a building permit and an electrical permit. Plans must include the structural attachment detail, electrical single-line diagram, and inverter placement.

Code Violation Reporting

How to Report: Roswell Code Enforcement (770-594-6101) accepts complaints by phone, in person at 38 Hill Street Suite G-30, or through the city's online complaint portal. Initial inspections typically occur the next business day after a complaint is received..

Noise from Specific Sources

Generator Noise: Permanently installed generators and HVAC equipment must comply with the §8.8.3 residential decibel caps at neighboring property lines. Roswell does not have a generator-specific ordinance, but persistent generator noise from a portable unit triggers §8.8.3 enforcement..

Also covered: Car Alarm Limits (moderate). See the full noise from specific sources guide for Roswell for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Roswell does not have a dedicated drone ordinance; FAA Part 107 (commercial) and Part 89 Remote ID rules govern. Drone use over crowds, in city park airspace, and over schools is restricted; FAA regulations preempt most local rules but city park use is regulated through Chapter 14..

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Cannabis remains illegal for recreational use in Georgia, including home cultivation. Georgia's Low THC Oil program (O.C.G.A.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Roswell parks operate from sunrise to sunset (or as posted at each park). Being in a park after closing hours is a misdemeanor under the parks ordinance and is enforced by Roswell Police and Park Rangers..

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Roswell for details.

Permit Requirements

Renovation Permits: Roswell requires building permits for nearly all structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. Cosmetic finishes (paint, flooring, cabinetry replacement) generally do not require permits.

Special Events & Permits

Park Event Permits: Special events on city property, park facilities, or in public rights-of-way require a permit through the EventApp portal. Application fees are $150 if city services are needed (police, fire, transportation) or $50 if not.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Roswell, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.