Building Setbacks & Zoning in Fulton County, GA (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Fulton County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In unincorporated Fulton County's R-1 Single Family Dwelling District, new houses must sit at least 60 feet back from the front property line, 50 feet from the rear, and 25 feet from an interior side line (40 feet if the side line adjoins a street). Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek and Milton addresses follow their own city codes instead.
Fulton County R-1 Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsFulton County Zoning Resolution § 6.1.3 (R-1 Single Family Dwelling District)
6.1.3 Development standards. A. Height regulations: No building shall exceed 40 feet in height. (Amended 2/7/96) B. Minimum front yard: 60 feet. C. Minimum side yard: — 25 feet adjacent to interior line. — 40 feet adjacent to street. D. Minimum rear yard: 50 feet. E. Minimum lot area: two acres. F. Minimum lot width: 200 feet. G. Minimum lot frontage: 35 feet adjoining a street. (Amended 11/3/9...
Structure Height Limits
In unincorporated Fulton County, the AG-1 and R-1 zoning districts cap residential buildings at 40 feet, measured from finished grade to the roof's highest point. A short list of rooftop features is exempt outright, and public buildings, hospitals, schools and churches can rise higher if they add a matching foot of side and rear setback for every foot over the district limit.
Fulton County Residential Height Limit
Some RestrictionsFulton County Zoning Resolution §§ 5.1.3.A, 4.3.3
5.1.3 Development standards. A.Height regulations: No building shall exceed 40 feet in height. (Amended 2/7/96) ... 4.3.3 Height limits. The zoning districts' maximum height limitations for structures shall not apply to the following: A.Church spires and belfries.B.Water storage tanks.C.Cooling towers.D.Chimneys.E.Mechanical penthouses located on roofs.F.Smokestacks.G.Flag poles.H.Silos and gra...
Lot Coverage Limits
In the TR Townhouse Residential district of unincorporated Fulton County, the combined footprint of all buildings and parking may not exceed 50 percent of the total land area under Zoning Resolution § 7.2.3(K). The same section caps any single building at 20 dwelling units.
Fulton County TR District Lot Coverage Cap
Some RestrictionsFulton County Zoning Resolution § 7.2.3(K) (TR Townhouse Residential District)
Maximum lot coverage: The area of the footprint of all buildings and parking shall not exceed 50 percent of the total land area.L.Minimum building separation when more than one building per lot. All building separations shall be as specified by the Standard Building Code. (Amended 03/03/04)M.Other minimum standards:1.No more than 20 dwelling units shall form a single building.2.Setbacks and roo...
Building Setbacks & Zoning by City in Fulton County
2 cities in Fulton County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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