Accessory Structures in Clayton County, GA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Clayton County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Clayton County allows accessory dwellings (garage quarters, guest houses, caretaker houses and mother-in-law suites) only as a conditional use in the AG, ER and RS-180 districts. The standard in Appendix A, Sec. 6.9 (AS-05) caps each lot at one freestanding unit, bars it from the front and side yards, and sets a 12,000 square foot lot area floor. One extra parking space is required for the unit.
Clayton County Accessory Dwelling (Guest House) Rules
Significant RestrictionsClayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 6.9 (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. [...] B. Accessory dwellings contained within a principle dwelling shall comply with the following standards: 1. There shall be no more than 1 accessory dwelling in a principle dwelling unit. 2. The accessory dwelling shall not ...
ADU Owner Occupancy
In the TOD Residential Support (RT) Overlay near future transit stations, Clayton County requires the lot holding an accessory dwelling unit to be owner-occupied, with the owner free to live in either the ADU or the main house, under Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.108, RT-5.
ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule in Clayton County
Significant RestrictionsClayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.108, RT-5, Item 8
RT-5 Accessory Dwelling Units: Accessory dwelling units are permitted in the RT zone. 1. An accessory dwelling unit may be created through new construction, conversion of an existing structure, addition to an existing structure, or conversion of a qualifying existing house to an accessory cottage while simultaneously constructing a new primary dwelling on the site. 2. A maximum of one (1) acces...
Shed & Carport Rules
Clayton County caps residential sheds and mini-barns at no more than three accessory structures per lot, limits their combined size to half the house's finished floor area, and sets a 10-foot gap from other structures and a 5-foot setback from side and rear lines under Zoning Ordinance Sec. 6.9, AS-02.
Shed Rules for Clayton County Homes
Some RestrictionsClayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 6.9, AS-02
AS-02: This Accessory Use/Structure Standards section applies to all single family and two family residential districts. [...] C. The following accessory structures are permitted, subject to all applicable requirements of this Ordinance: [...] 6. Mini-barns, sheds, and other storage buildings, and 7. Similar structures related to the primary use. D. Accessory uses and structures shall be consis...
Garage Conversions
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.
Garage Conversion and Garage-Quarters Rules in Clayton County
Some RestrictionsClayton 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.
Tiny Homes
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.
Tiny Homes and Backyard Dwellings in Clayton County
Some RestrictionsClayton 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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