Building Setbacks & Zoning in DeKalb County, GA (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of DeKalb County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Setback Rules

DeKalb County zoning (Chapter 27) sets residential setbacks by district: R-100 requires 35 ft front, 10 ft side, 40 ft rear. R-75 reduces these. Corner lots have dual frontage.

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Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

DeKalb County zoning limits most residential structures to 35 feet (2.5 stories). Commercial and mixed-use districts permit greater heights. Historic and overlay districts may have stricter caps.

building-setbacks/structure-height-limits

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Lot Coverage Limits

DeKalb County zoning limits total lot coverage by buildings and impervious surfaces. R-100 typically caps at 35% building coverage; tighter limits apply in transitional and watershed overlay districts.

building-setbacks/lot-coverage

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All DeKalb County ordinances

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