DeKalb County zoning limits most residential structures to 35 feet (2.5 stories). Commercial and mixed-use districts permit greater heights. Historic and overlay districts may have stricter caps.
DeKalb County Zoning Chapter 27 caps most single-family residential districts (R-75, R-85, R-100, R-200) at 35 feet or 2.5 stories, whichever is less. Multi-family MR districts step up to 45 to 60 feet depending on tier. Commercial C-1/C-2 and office O-I districts allow up to 50 feet by right and higher with conditional use. The Perimeter Center area (partly in DeKalb/partly in City of Dunwoody) allows mid-rise and high-rise via the PC overlay and City of Dunwoody zoning. Height is measured from average finished grade. Chimneys, antennas, flagpoles, and mechanical equipment may exceed the limit by a limited amount. Druid Hills and Stone Mountain Historic districts enforce compatibility review.
Exceeding height limit: stop-work order and fines $500 to $2,500. Required to reduce height or obtain ZBA variance. Historic district overruns may require restoration.
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