Building Setbacks & Zoning in Atlanta, GA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Atlanta, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Atlanta sets a separate front, side, and rear yard depth for every residential zoning district, 60/25/35 feet in R-1 down to 35/7/15 feet in R-4, under Code of Ordinances Chapter 16.
Atlanta Yard Setback Minimums by Zone
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 16-03.008 (R-1 District); § 16-06.008 (R-4 District)
(1)Front yard: There shall be a front yard having a depth of not less than 60 feet.(2)Side yard: There shall be two side yards, one on each side of the main building, each having a width of not less than 25 feet.(3)Rear yard: There shall be a rear yard of not less than 35 feet.(4)Accessory structures: Accessory structures, other than fences, when permitted shall be placed to the side or rear of...
Structure Height Limits
Atlanta limits buildings in R-4 single-family districts, the city's standard medium-density residential zone, to 35 feet, the same cap used in the R-1 through R-5 districts.
Atlanta Residential Height Limit: 35 Feet
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 16-06.009
The following height limitations shall apply to all uses approved by special permits as well as permitted uses: No building shall exceed 35 feet in height. See section 16-28.022 for excluded portions of structures.
Lot Coverage Limits
Atlanta caps building footprint at 50 percent of total lot area for the R-4 Single-Family Residential District, the city's most common single-family zone, alongside a 0.50 floor area ratio cap in the same code section.
Atlanta Max Lot Coverage: 50% in R-4
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 16-06.008(6)
Maximum lot coverage: Maximum lot coverage within this district shall not exceed 50 percent of total lot area.
Looking for Fulton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Atlanta city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Fulton County →