5 rules for unincorporated Clayton County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Clayton County allows accessory dwellings (guest houses, in-law suites) only as a conditional use, and only in the AG, ER, and RS-180 zoning districts. No more than one accessory dwelling is permitted per residential lot, inside or freestanding.
Clayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. AS-05
Accessory dwellings are permitted as conditional use within the principle dwelling or as a free standing dwelling in the following zoning districts: AG, ER, and RS-180... There shall be no more than 1 accessory dwelling per residential lot.
In unincorporated Clayton County, sheds, mini-barns, and storage buildings are accessory structures: no more than three per lot, together no larger than 50% of the home's finished floor area, and set back at least five feet from side and rear lines.
Clayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. AS-02
No more than three (3) accessory structures may be placed on any one lot; and... The combined size of all accessory structures on any one lot may not exceed an amount equal to fifty (50) percent of the finished floor area of the primary structure on that lot.
Clayton County treats habitable garage quarters as an accessory dwelling. Converting a garage into living space, or building an apartment over a detached garage, is allowed only as a conditional use in the AG, ER, and RS-180 districts, one per lot.
Clayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. AS-05
Accessory dwellings shall include basement quarters, garage quarters, caretaker or other employee quarters, guest houses, mother-in-law suites... The accessory dwelling may be located in a second floor over a detached garage or may be a separate structure.
Carports and detached garages are accessory structures in unincorporated Clayton County. They must be set back at least five feet from side and rear lines, keep ten feet from the home, and generally sit to the side or rear of the house.
Clayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. AS-02
A minimum separation of ten (10) feet shall be provided between all detached accessory structure and any primary structure or other accessory structure... All accessory structures shall be placed a minimum of five (5) feet from the side and rear property lines.
Clayton County has no separate 'tiny home' ordinance. A freestanding backyard living unit is treated as an accessory dwelling: rear yard only, one per lot, and only on lots of at least 12,000 square feet in the AG, ER, or RS-180 district.
Clayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. AS-05
The accessory dwelling shall be located only within the rear yard... in no case shall an accessory dwelling be located on a lot having less than 12,000 square feet of lot area. One additional parking space shall be provided to serve the accessory dwelling.
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