DeKalb County, GA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Main building height
- 35 feet max
- Infill overlay height
- 28 feet max
- Accessory building height
- 24 feet max
- Governing table
- Table 2.2, § 27-2.2.1
Summary
Single-family homes in unincorporated DeKalb County are capped at 35 feet, dropping to 28 feet in Residential Infill Overlay Districts.
Height (maximum) Main building (feet) (Residential infill overlay = 28 feet) 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 1 Accessory building (feet) 24 24 24 24 24 24 N/A 1 Open Space (minimum %) Open space 3 20 20 20 20 20 20 10 1
1 See division 10 of this article 2 See article 5, corner lots section for reduction eligibility 3 Open space requirement shall apply to new subdivisions if project is > 5 acres or > 36 units (chapter 14) 4 100 feet if adjacent to property zoned or used for residential purposes
(Ord. No. 15-06, 8-25-2015; Ord. No. 2019-4123, Pt. I(Exh. I), 3-10-2020; Ord. No. 2022-2270, Pt. I, 12-12-2023)
Full Breakdown
Table 2.2 of DeKalb's zoning ordinance sets a 35-foot maximum height for the main building on every standard single-family district. SF, RLG, R-100, R-85, R-75, R-60 and MHP. Accessory buildings are capped lower, at 24 feet. Homes inside a Residential Infill Overlay District face a stricter 28-foot cap. These limits apply only in the unincorporated county; incorporated cities set their own zoning.
Violations & Fines
Building a principal residence above the 35-foot table limit (28 feet in an infill overlay) without an approved zoning variance is a zoning violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build a house in unincorporated DeKalb County?
What's the height limit for a detached garage or shed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DeKalb County
Compare DeKalb County to another location·View the Georgia building setbacks & zoning overview
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