5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Chatham County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Accessory dwelling units in Savannah and unincorporated Chatham County are governed by the joint NewZO zoning ordinance (Sec. 8.7.4). NewZO defines an ADU as a separate residential unit on the same lot as the main home, allowed in specified districts on lots meeting minimum-area rules.
Chatham County-Savannah Unified Zoning Ordinance (NewZO) Sec. 8.7.4
A structure used as an individual residential unit located on the same lot as the principal dwelling, which contains permanent provisions for a living space with a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom.
In unincorporated Chatham County, a building permit is required for accessory buildings, storage buildings, and tool sheds. Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services lists these among the structures that shall require permits, plus zoning setbacks under the NewZO ordinance.
Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services - When Permits Are Required
The following types of work shall require permits: New structures including main buildings, garages, carports, attached porches, sun decks, room additions and extensions or enlargement of existing rooms, accessory buildings, storage buildings, tool sheds...
Converting a Chatham County garage or other non-habitable space into living quarters requires a building permit. The county lists any change of occupancy class, and conversion of storage or non-habitable space to living quarters, as work that shall require permits.
Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services - When Permits Are Required
Any work that changes the class of construction or occupancy class of the building; Conversion of basement or other below grade space, attic, storage or other non-habitable space to living quarters (such as bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, etc.)
Carports are expressly listed among the new structures that require a building permit in unincorporated Chatham County. A carport must also meet NewZO zoning setbacks, height, and lot-coverage limits for its district.
Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services - When Permits Are Required
The following types of work shall require permits: New structures including main buildings, garages, carports, attached porches, sun decks, room additions and extensions or enlargement of existing rooms, accessory buildings, storage buildings, tool sheds...
Chatham County has no separate tiny-home ordinance. A site-built tiny house on a foundation is regulated as a dwelling (or ADU) under NewZO and Georgia's building codes; a tiny house on wheels is generally treated as an RV, not a permanent residence.
1 cities in Chatham County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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