Building Setbacks & Zoning in DeKalb County, GA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In unincorporated DeKalb County, minimum front, side and rear yard setbacks are fixed by zoning district in Table 2.2 of the county zoning code, ranging from a 20-foot rear setback in R-60 up to 40 feet in the SF (Single-Family) district. Front setbacks vary further by street classification.
DeKalb County Yard Setbacks by Zoning District
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 27 (Zoning), Sec. 2.2.1, Table 2.2
Dimensional requirements, such as overall site requirements, individual lot dimensions, and setbacks for residential zoning districts are established in Table 2.2, "Residential Zoning Districts Dimensional Requirements." ... Element SF RLG R-100 R-85 R-75 R-60 MHP RNC* ... Front major arterial (feet) 60 70 50 50 45 30 ... Front minor arterials (feet) 50 60 40 40 35 20 150 ... Side - interior bu...
Structure Height Limits
Single-family homes in unincorporated DeKalb County are capped at 35 feet, dropping to 28 feet in Residential Infill Overlay Districts.
DeKalb County Home Height Limit
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code § 27-2.2.1, Table 2.2
Height (maximum) Main building (feet) (Residential infill overlay = 28 feet) 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 1 Accessory building (feet) 24 24 24 24 24 24 N/A 1 Open Space (minimum %) Open space 3 20 20 20 20 20 20 10 1 1 See division 10 of this article 2 See article 5, corner lots section for reduction eligibility 3 Open space requirement shall apply to new subdivisions if project is > 5 acr...
Lot Coverage Limits
In unincorporated DeKalb County, no lot can exceed the maximum lot coverage set for its zoning district, as low as 25 percent in the SF district and up to 90 percent under certain overlay districts, plus a 15 percent pervious-material allowance.
DeKalb County Max Lot Coverage Limit
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 27 (Zoning), Sec. 5.1.10 (Maximum lot coverage)
No lot shall be developed to exceed the maximum allowable coverage by buildings, structures, driveways or parking areas, or any other impervious surface specified for the zoning district in which the lot is located. In addition to the maximum impervious surface amount, pervious materials may be added up to a maximum amount of fifteen (15) percent of the total lot area.
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