Accessory Structures in Atlanta, GA (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Atlanta, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Atlanta allows one accessory dwelling unit per single-family lot in the R-4, R-4A and R-5 districts, capped at two total dwelling units per parcel and 750 square feet, with no added parking required.
Atlanta ADU & Garage Apartment Rules
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 16-06.004(12)
Accessory dwelling units, where the total number of dwelling units on any parcel, including the accessory dwelling unit, does not exceed two.
Shed & Carport Rules
Backyard sheds and other accessory buildings in Atlanta's R-1 through R-5 districts cap out at 20 feet tall, 25% of the rear yard, and 30% of the main house's floor area, and construction can't start until the principal house does.
Atlanta Shed & Accessory Structure Rules
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 16-28.004(3)
Accessory buildings in R-1 through R-5 districts shall not exceed 20 feet in height, shall not cover more than 25 percent of the area of the rear yard, and shall not contain a total floor area greater than 30 percent of the main structure. For purposes of calculating the total floor area of the main structure, the definition of residential floor area set forth in the first sentence of section 1...
Garage Conversions
Atlanta currently prohibits attached ADUs, so a garage conversion into a separate dwelling is not allowed by-right; converting a garage to additional living space for the primary dwelling requires a building permit from the Office of Buildings under the Georgia State Minimum Standard Residential Code (2018 IRC with GA amendments).
Garage Conversions in Atlanta
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Atlanta Office of Buildings — Current Georgia Minimum Codes for Construction (2024 IRC/IBC with Georgia Amendments)
IMPLEMENTATION OF NEWLY ADOPTED STATE BUILDING CODES The City of Atlanta Office of Buildings will align with the newly adopted State of Georgia building codes, as follows: Effective for permit submissions beginning January 1, 2026 : 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) with Georgia Amendments 2024 International Building Code (IBC) with Georgia Amendments 2024 International Mechanical Code ...
Tiny Homes
Atlanta allows tiny homes only as detached accessory dwelling units up to 750 sq ft and 20 ft tall in R-4, R-4A, and R-5 zones, built on a permanent foundation under Georgia's Appendix S tiny-house code. Movable tiny houses on wheels (THOWs) are not permitted as dwellings, and no statewide preemption law has been enacted.
Tiny Home Rules in Atlanta
Heavy RestrictionsAtlanta Department of City Planning — Create More Flexible ADU Options (proposed ordinance amending 2018 ADU ordinance)
What would the proposed ordinance do? The ADU proposal would expand the types and designs of ADUs that can be constructed in the city and the areas where they can be built. The proposal includes a variety of clean-ups and improvements on the 2018 ADU ordinance that was part of the Zoning Quick Fix effort. The changes include tweaks to the size and setback restrictions on ADUs, the ability to at...
Looking for Fulton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Atlanta city rules.
Accessory Structures in Fulton County →