Smyrna, GA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R-30 coverage
- 25 percent including paving
- R-20, R-15, R-12 coverage
- 35 percent including paving
- R-10 and R-8 coverage
- 45 percent including paving
- Front yard paving cap
- 25 percent in R-30, R-20, R-15 and R-12
- Driveway side setback
- Not closer than five feet to a side property line
- Fine per offense
- $200.00 to $500.00, each day separate (Sec. 1307)
Summary
In the City of Smyrna, Georgia, Appendix A Sec. 801 caps lot coverage by buildings and other structures including paving at 25 percent in R-30, 35 percent in R-20, R-15 and R-12, and 45 percent in R-10 and R-8. Front yards in the four largest districts get their own 25 percent paving cap.
Minimum Lot Area (square feet) Minimum Front Yard Setback from Street Right-of-Way (feet) Districts Single-Family Dwelling Two-Family Dwelling (per unit) Multifamily Dwelling (per unit) Minimum 1 Floor Area (square feet) Maximum Lot Coverage by Buildings and Other Structures Including Paving (percent) Minimum Lot Width at Setback Line (feet) Major Thoroughfare Minor Thoroughfare Other Minimum 2 Side Yard (feet) Minimum 2 Rear Yard (feet) Maximum Height of Structures (feet) R-30 30,000 — — 2,200 25 110 60 50 45 15 40 35 R-20 20,000 — — 2,100 35 100 50 40 35 12 35 35 R-15 15,000 — — 2,000 35 85 50 40 35 10 30 35 R-12 12,000 — — 1,900 35 85 50 40 35 10 30 35 R-10 10,000 — — 1,500 45 50 50 40 25 7.5 25 35 R-8 8,000 — — 1,500 45 50 50 40 25 5 25 35 ... Within the R-30, R-20, R-15 and R-12 zoning districts no more than 25 percent of the required front or street side yard shall be covered by paving or other impervious surfaces.
Full Breakdown
The dimensional table in Sec. 801 has a column headed Maximum Lot Coverage by Buildings and Other Structures Including Paving (percent). Paving counts, so driveways, patios and parking areas use up the same allowance as the house. Reading the printed rows: R-30 (30,000 square foot minimum lot) allows 25 percent; R-20 (20,000), R-15 (15,000) and R-12 (12,000) each allow 35 percent; R-10 (10,000) and R-8 (8,000) each allow 45 percent. Smaller lots therefore get a higher share, while the largest lots get the lowest.
Sec. 801 adds a separate impervious limit for the front of the lot. Within the R-30, R-20, R-15 and R-12 zoning districts, no more than 25 percent of the required front or street side yard shall be covered by paving or other impervious surfaces. No driveway or other parking area shall be located closer than five feet to a side property line. The yard cap applies on top of the overall coverage percentage, so a lot can meet one test and still fail the other.
The same table carries the yard setbacks and height that sit beside coverage. The R-30 row prints a 110-foot minimum lot width, front setbacks of 60, 50 and 45 feet for major thoroughfare, minor thoroughfare and other streets, a 15-foot side yard, a 40-foot rear yard and a 35-foot height limit. The R-20 row prints a 100-foot lot width, front setbacks of 50, 40 and 35 feet, a 12-foot side yard, a 35-foot rear yard and a 35-foot height limit.
Nonresidential districts are in Sec. 802, which has its own Maximum Lot Coverage column, with LC at 80 percent, NS at 100, OI at 80, GC at 100, OD at 80, and LI and HI at 90. Footnote 1 to that table states no building in any nonresidential district shall be located closer than 50 feet to any property line which abuts a residential district.
Before building, Sec. 1302 requires a building permit from the building inspector, and a permit is issued only if the proposed development conforms to the zoning ordinance. Sec. 504 also bars any building or structure from being erected or altered to occupy a greater percentage of lot area than the ordinance allows.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 1307 makes a violation of the zoning ordinance a misdemeanor with a fine of at least $200.00 and not more than $500.00 for each offense, and each day the violation continues is a separate offense. Sec. 1308 allows the building inspector, another appropriate city authority or a damaged adjacent owner to seek an injunction or abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum lot coverage in Smyrna's R-20 district?
Does paving count toward lot coverage in the City of Smyrna?
How much of my front yard can be paved in Smyrna?
Which Smyrna districts allow the highest residential lot coverage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Smyrna
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How other cities in Cobb County handle lot coverage limits.