Dunwoody, GA

Dunwoody regulates carports as accessory structures under Chapter 27 of the Zoning Ordinance. Detached carports must be located in the rear yard of R-100 lots, may not exceed 20 feet in height or the height of the principal dwelling, and require a building permit reviewed under the Georgia State Minimum Standard Residential Code.

Storage sheds in Dunwoody are regulated under the Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27) as accessory structures. Sheds must meet setback requirements, be placed in rear or side yards, and comply with lot coverage limits. Sheds over 144 sq ft generally require a building permit from Community Development.

ADUs in Dunwoody are regulated by the Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27). Georgia has no statewide ADU mandate; Dunwoody determines eligibility by parcel zoning. Contact Planning and Zoning (678-382-6800) to confirm whether an ADU is permitted on a specific property and what standards apply.

Garage conversions to habitable space in Dunwoody require a building permit and must comply with the IRC and Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27). Converted space must meet insulation, egress, HVAC, and electrical standards. ADU rules apply if creating a separate dwelling unit. Parking requirements must be addressed.

DeKalb County treats foundation tiny homes as dwellings subject to zoning minimum square footage. Tiny homes on wheels classified as RVs — prohibited as permanent dwellings in residential zones. Limited ADU pathway.

Dunwoody Zoning Ordinance §27-206(b)(5): fences in street yards are limited to 4 feet. Interior side and rear yard fences may be up to 8 feet. Fences adjacent to collector or arterial streets may be 8 feet in height in the street side yard. Permits required in front yards and corner lots.

Georgia common law applies in Dunwoody: fences must be installed on the owner's property. No city ordinance requires neighbor consent before fence installation. Boundary disputes are civil matters. Dunwoody does not require a survey for rear-yard fences (no permit needed) but accuracy is the owner's responsibility.

A fence permit is NOT required in Dunwoody for fences completely to the rear of a residential home. A permit IS required for new fences, vehicular gates, and replacement fences in front yards, on corner lots, or within stream buffers. Contact Community Development: 678-382-6800.

DeKalb County requires 4-foot minimum pool barriers per Georgia State Minimum Standard Residential Code (IRC-based). Self-closing, self-latching gates required. Barrier inspection required at pool permit issuance.

DeKalb County zoning (Chapter 27) allows wood, vinyl, masonry, aluminum, and wrought iron. Barbed and razor wire prohibited in residential districts. Chain-link discouraged in front yards.

DeKalb County requires building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall. Engineered plans required over 4 ft. Land disturbance permits required for significant grading.

Home occupation signage in Dunwoody is heavily restricted. Commercial signs advertising a home business are generally prohibited in residential zones. Chapter 20 (Signs) governs signage; a small nameplate may be permitted. No illuminated, freestanding, or large window signs are allowed.

Customer traffic to home businesses in Dunwoody must not exceed what a typical residence would generate. Regular client appointments, multiple simultaneous visitors, or commercial deliveries that change the neighborhood character may not qualify under home occupation standards. Zoning Ordinance Ch. 27 applies.

Home occupations in Dunwoody are regulated under the Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27). A special use permit may be required. An Occupational Tax Certificate (business license) is required for all businesses including home-based ones. Home businesses must not alter the residential character of the neighborhood.

Georgia Cottage Food Law (GA Dept of Ag Rule 40-7-19) allows home food producers to sell non-hazardous foods directly to consumers. $50,000 annual revenue cap. License and home kitchen inspection required.

DeKalb County permits home daycares licensed by Georgia DECAL. Family Child Care Learning Home (up to 6 children) permitted in residential zones with state license. Group Home (7-12 children) may require conditional use.

Dunwoody residential pools must comply with Georgia's pool barrier requirements under the adopted International Residential Code (IRC). Pools deeper than 24 inches must have a 48-inch minimum barrier fully enclosing the pool. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. Building permits required.

Pool safety standards in Dunwoody follow the IRC and National Electrical Code. All pool electrical work must be permitted and inspected. Anti-entrapment drain covers (VGB-compliant) are required. Pools must be maintained to prevent mosquito breeding as required by DeKalb County health codes.

Above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches in Dunwoody require the same 48-inch barrier as in-ground pools. The pool walls may serve as the barrier if they are at least 48 inches tall with secured/removed access ladders when the pool is unattended. A building permit is required.

DeKalb County requires electrical permit for hot tub 240V installation. Barrier requirements apply unless tub has locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 standards. Setback from property lines per zoning code.

DeKalb County requires a building permit from Planning & Sustainability for all in-ground pools and above-ground pools over 24 inches deep. Plan review, electrical, and barrier inspections required.

Consumer fireworks (1.4G) are legal statewide under GA Code §25-10-1 (10 AM–midnight; extended hours on designated holidays). Cities cannot ban fireworks under §25-10-5.1. Dunwoody enforces its noise ordinance (Ch. 18) against excessive fireworks noise. Use away from structures, vehicles, and people.

Outdoor burning in Dunwoody is governed by GAEPD Rule 391-3-1-.02(5) and the Georgia Forestry Commission permit system. A free burn permit is required from the GFC before most outdoor fires. DeKalb County Fire Department also has authority over open burning within city limits.

Recreational fire pits are generally permitted in Dunwoody for residential use in a contained, non-combustible structure. Fires must be attended at all times and extinguished before leaving. Nuisance smoke affecting neighbors may be reported under the noise/nuisance ordinance.

DeKalb County Fire Rescue and the Georgia Forestry Commission share wildfire prevention. No formal defensible-space mandate, but overgrowth and dead vegetation can trigger nuisance abatement under O.C.G.A. §41-2-5.

DeKalb County is not designated a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) high-risk area. Standard Georgia Forestry Commission open-burning permits and air quality rules apply. No defensible space ordinance in effect.

Georgia regulates propane storage statewide through the Safety Fire Commissioner under the Liquefied Petroleum Safety Act, adopting NFPA 58 standards for residential and commercial tanks.

Dunwoody's noise ordinance is codified in Chapter 18. The ordinance prohibits loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noises in the city. General quiet hours are observed with stricter limits in the evening and early morning. Complaints reported to Code Compliance at 678-382-6890.

Dunwoody Chapter 18 restricts construction and landscaping noise. Landscape contractors may not operate motorized equipment before 7:30 AM or after 8:30 PM on weekdays; before 8:00 AM or after 8:30 PM on Saturdays; and no work on Sundays or Christmas Day. Construction noise follows similar restrictions.

Barking dogs in Dunwoody are regulated under the general noise ordinance (Ch. 18) and DeKalb County animal control provisions. Persistent barking that unreasonably disturbs neighbors constitutes a noise violation. Complaints handled by DeKalb County Animal Services (404-294-2996).

Dunwoody regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound permits available for events. O.C.G.A. §16-11-39 applies to unreasonable disturbances.

DeKalb County has no leaf-blower-specific restrictions beyond the general noise ordinance in Code of Ordinances Chapter 16. Gas-powered blowers are widely used by landscaping crews serving Atlanta-metro suburbs.

Aircraft noise in Georgia is governed by federal FAA regulations, not state or local ordinances. Georgia airport zoning law allows compatible land use planning around airports but cannot restrict in-flight aircraft operations.

Georgia regulates industrial noise primarily through O.C.G.A. 12-7 (Erosion and Sedimentation), 12-8 (Solid Waste), and EPD permits, but does not impose statewide decibel limits. Local governments retain primary authority over industrial noise nuisances.

Dunwoody requires grass and weeds to be maintained below 10 inches in height. Code Enforcement issues a courtesy notice when grass exceeds the limit, giving the owner 10 days to comply before a citation is issued. The city may mow and bill the property owner for non-compliance.

Tree removal permits in Dunwoody are required for: hardwoods 10+ inch DBH on non-residential/multi-family lots; softwoods 20+ inch DBH; understory trees 6+ inch DBH on those lots; and any tree in the 75-foot stream buffer. Single-family homeowners are exempt from permits but must meet site tree density requirements.

Dunwoody's tree ordinance (Ch. 16, Div. 6) protects hardwood trees with 10+ inch DBH, softwoods with 20+ inch DBH, and understory trees with 6+ inch DBH. Routine pruning of branches generally does not require a permit. Trimming within the 75-foot stream buffer requires permits and care.

Outdoor water use in Dunwoody is supplied by DeKalb County Watershed Management. Georgia Water Stewardship Act (2010) baseline outdoor watering schedule applies. During drought, EPD Level 1–4 restrictions may limit or prohibit outdoor watering. Check DeKalb County Water for current status.

DeKalb County encourages native plant landscaping and tree preservation. Tree Protection Ordinance (Chapter 14) favors native canopy species. No Georgia law preempts HOA lawn/plant restrictions.

DeKalb County Code Chapter 15 (Health & Sanitation) prohibits grass and weeds over 12 inches. Enforcement authorized under O.C.G.A. §41-2-5. Kudzu is a major invasive concern.

DeKalb County does not regulate residential artificial turf installation. No permit required for replacing a lawn. HOAs may prohibit. Erosion and drainage rules apply for larger installations.

Rainwater harvesting is encouraged in DeKalb County under the Georgia Water Stewardship Act. Residential rain barrels require no permit; larger cisterns and potable reuse follow plumbing code.

Street parking in Dunwoody is regulated by the Code of Ordinances. Standard prohibitions apply: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, no blocking of driveways, no double-parking. Residential street parking generally permitted without time limits unless posted. Code Compliance: 678-382-6890.

Heavy commercial vehicles parked long-term in Dunwoody residential areas may violate zoning and parking ordinances. Standard pickups for personal use are generally allowed. Large trucks, semi-trailers, and commercial vehicles with conspicuous advertising may be restricted in residential zones.

Driveway construction and curb cuts in Dunwoody require permits from the Community Development Department. Vehicles parked in driveways must not block sidewalks or extend into the public right-of-way. Residential driveways must be paved or have an approved all-weather surface.

Parking of RVs, boats, and trailers on residential properties in Dunwoody is regulated under the Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27). Long-term storage in front yards or on the street is generally restricted. Rear yard storage is preferred, with screening from public view recommended.

DeKalb County requires electrical permits for Level 2 EV charger installation. New multifamily and commercial construction increasingly includes EV-ready parking. No HOA preemption law in Georgia.

DeKalb County follows Georgia abandoned vehicle law (OCGA §40-11-1+). Vehicles on public property 10+ days or inoperable vehicles on private property without screening may be impounded. Junk vehicles prohibited in residential zones.

DeKalb County allows overnight street parking on most residential streets. Some HOA-maintained and permit-parking areas restrict it. Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR prohibited overnight in residential zones.

Dunwoody has no breed-specific legislation (BSL). Georgia's Responsible Dog Ownership Law (GA Code §4-8-20+) creates a behavioral-based dangerous dog registry administered by DeKalb County. Individual dogs may be declared dangerous based on behavior, not breed.

Urban beekeeping in Dunwoody may be permitted in residential areas subject to Zoning Ordinance §4-5 (Animal Care Facilities) standards. Georgia Department of Agriculture registration is required for all beekeepers. Hives must be managed to prevent swarming and should be setback from property lines.

Exotic and wild animals (Class 1) are prohibited under Georgia law (GA Code §27-5-4). Dunwoody's Zoning Ordinance (§4-5) addresses animal care facilities; residential keeping of dangerous wild animals is not permitted. DeKalb County Animal Services handles exotic animal complaints.

Dogs in Dunwoody must be kept on a leash or under direct physical control when off the owner's property. DeKalb County Animal Services (404-294-2996) enforces animal control in Dunwoody. Dogs running at large are prohibited. Dunwoody has dedicated off-leash areas in some parks.

DeKalb County Code Chapter 5 allows backyard hens on lots of sufficient size with coop setbacks. Roosters restricted. Livestock limited to agricultural or large-lot zones.

DeKalb County prohibits intentional feeding of deer and coyotes in unincorporated areas. Georgia DNR enforces statewide rules against feeding wildlife that creates nuisance conditions. Bird feeders permitted with residential use.

Georgia criminalizes animal cruelty and neglect statewide under O.C.G.A. 16-12-4, applying uniformly regardless of local ordinances and covering hoarding situations.

Dunwoody participates in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Development in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) requires a floodplain development permit. The city enforces a 75-foot stream buffer in addition to flood zone regulations. Check FEMA Flood Map Service Center for property-specific data.

DeKalb County Watershed Management enforces stormwater rules under the county's MS4 NPDES permit. New development must manage runoff on site; stream buffers and watershed overlays apply countywide.

DeKalb County is landlocked in the Georgia Piedmont, about 250 miles from the coast. Coastal-zone rules do not apply. River-corridor and watershed rules govern local waterways instead.

DeKalb County requires land disturbance and grading permits for earth movement over thresholds set in the Land Development Ordinance. Drainage must not be redirected to adjacent properties.

Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act (O.C.G.A. §12-7) plus the DeKalb Soil & Water Conservation District enforce land-disturbance rules. BMPs, silt fencing, and 25-foot stream buffers required.

Dunwoody enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours.

DeKalb County parks close at 10 PM (or sunset for some natural areas) and reopen at 7 AM. Stone Mountain Park operates on separate state rules. After-hours presence is trespassing.

DeKalb County Tree Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 14, Article V) requires a permit to remove specimen and boundary trees on developed lots. Georgia state tree preservation authority applies countywide.

DeKalb County uses a Tree Density Factor (TDF) system plus replacement ratios to maintain canopy when trees are removed. Fee-in-lieu payments fund the DeKalb Tree Bank.

DeKalb County designates specimen trees including oaks, hickories, and native hardwoods above specified DBH thresholds. Removal requires arborist review and significant mitigation.

DeKalb County Code Chapter 15 requires commercial door-to-door solicitors to register with the Police Department, submit to a background check, and carry an ID badge. Hours restricted to daytime.

DeKalb County honors no-soliciting signs posted on private property. Several cities within DeKalb (Brookhaven, Dunwoody) operate formal no-knock registries. Religious and political canvassers exempt.

DeKalb County limits residential garage sales to a handful per year per address (typically 3 to 4) to prevent residences operating as ongoing retail in residential zones.

DeKalb County does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signage and frequency limits apply under the Code of Ordinances.

DeKalb County garage sales are limited to daytime hours (roughly 7 or 8 AM to sunset). All merchandise and signs must be removed from public view at the end of each day.

DeKalb County property-maintenance code requires garage sale merchandise to be displayed neatly, removed daily, and not accumulated on the property between events.

DeKalb County requires vacant lot owners to maintain grass under 12 inches, remove trash, and prevent nuisance conditions under Code Chapter 18. County may mow and bill owner; unpaid costs liened against property.

DeKalb County enforces International Property Maintenance Code through Code Enforcement Division. Blight conditions (peeling paint, broken windows, debris) subject to 10-30 day notice and abatement. Vacant Property Registry required.

DeKalb County Sanitation Division provides residential trash/recycling collection. Bins must be stored out of public view between collections. Bins placed at curb no earlier than 6 PM prior; retrieved by 7 AM day after.

DeKalb County rarely sees significant snow. No formal snow-clearing ordinance applies, but property owners remain responsible for safe sidewalk conditions year-round.

DeKalb Sanitation provides single-stream curbside recycling for paper, cardboard, glass, metals, and plastics #1, #2, and #5. Plastic bags and food waste contaminate loads.

DeKalb County Sanitation (county-run) provides weekly curbside trash, weekly recycling, and weekly yard waste collection to unincorporated residents. Cities like Decatur and Dunwoody have separate contracts.

DeKalb Sanitation requires rollcarts at the curb with lids closed, 3 feet from obstructions, placed no earlier than the evening before and retrieved within 24 hours of pickup.

DeKalb Sanitation offers scheduled bulky-item and white-goods pickup by appointment. Appliances require refrigerant removal tag. Construction debris and hazardous waste excluded.

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.

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.

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.

DeKalb County permits residential holiday decorations without permits. Displays must not obstruct sight triangles, sidewalks, or create fire hazards. Chapter 21 sign rules generally exempt residential holiday displays.

DeKalb County allows temporary garage sale signs on private property only. Signs in public right-of-way are prohibited and subject to removal. Must be removed within 24 hours of sale ending per Chapter 21.

DeKalb County allows political signs on private property under Sign Ordinance (Chapter 21). No permits required. OCGA §32-6-51 prohibits signs in state right-of-way. Content-neutral rules apply per Reed v. Town of Gilbert.

DeKalb County restricts food truck vending on public right-of-way. Most operations occur on private property with owner permission in designated commercial zoning districts.

DeKalb County requires a mobile food service permit from the DeKalb Board of Health and a county business/occupation tax certificate. Commissary agreement and vehicle inspection required.

Recreational drones in DeKalb follow FAA Part 107/Recreational Flyer rules. PDK (DeKalb-Peachtree Airport) and Hartsfield-Jackson controlled airspace covers most of the county. Stone Mountain Park bans drones.

Commercial drone operations in DeKalb require FAA Part 107 certification plus LAANC authorization for PDK and Hartsfield-Jackson controlled airspace that covers most of the county.

Recreational cannabis dispensaries are prohibited in DeKalb. Low-THC oil is dispensed only by a small number of state-licensed independent pharmacies under the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission.

Home cannabis cultivation is prohibited in DeKalb County under Georgia state law. No recreational or medical home grow is authorized. Low-THC oil registry does not permit cultivation.

DeKalb County follows Georgia landlord-tenant law (OCGA Title 44 Ch 7). No just-cause eviction requirement. 60 days notice for no-cause termination of month-to-month tenancies. Dispossessory actions filed in Magistrate Court.

Rent control is preempted statewide in Georgia under O.C.G.A. §44-7-19. DeKalb County cannot impose rent caps. Market-rate pricing applies throughout DeKalb.

DeKalb County requires rental registration for all single-family, duplex, and triplex rental units under Code of Ordinances Chapter 18 Article V. Annual fee applies. Properties subject to inspection upon complaint or periodic review.

DeKalb County zoning prohibits light trespass onto neighboring residential properties above specified foot-candle thresholds. Complaints handled by Code Enforcement via SeeClickFix or direct report.

DeKalb County zoning requires full-cutoff fixtures for new commercial and multi-family lighting and limits spillover onto residential property. No formal Dark Sky designation exists.

DeKalb County requires building and electrical permits for solar panel installations through the Department of Planning and Sustainability. Streamlined permit pathway available for standard rooftop systems under 10 kW.

Georgia has no solar rights law preempting HOA restrictions. DeKalb HOAs may prohibit or restrict solar panels through CC&Rs. Georgia is one of a minority of states without solar access protection for homeowners.

Georgia prohibits local governments from setting minimum wages above state or federal levels under Title 34 preemption enacted through HB 234.

Georgia preempts local governments from requiring private employers to provide paid leave, sick time, or other employment benefits beyond state and federal law.

Georgia preempts local predictable scheduling and fair workweek ordinances, preventing cities and counties from regulating employer shift practices for private workers.

Georgia is a permitless concealed carry state under SB 319 (2022), allowing lawful weapons carriers to carry concealed handguns statewide subject to statutory location restrictions.

Georgia broadly preempts local firearms regulation under O.C.G.A. 16-11-173, reserving authority to the General Assembly while permitting limited local rules at government buildings and parks.

Georgia permits lawful weapons carriers to openly carry handguns in most public places, with statewide preemption limiting local restrictions on open carry.

Georgia permits any lawful weapons carrier or eligible person to carry a handgun in a private vehicle without a permit under O.C.G.A. 16-11-126.

Georgia requires private employers with 11 or more employees to use E-Verify under O.C.G.A. 36-60-6, with annual affidavit certification tied to business licenses.

Georgia prohibits sanctuary policies under O.C.G.A. 36-80-23 and HB 1105, requiring local governments and law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Georgia counties retain zoning authority for agricultural operations, balanced against the Right to Farm Act's nuisance protections for established farms.

Georgia's Right to Farm Act in O.C.G.A. 41-1-7 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits brought by neighbors and changing land uses.

Georgia does not prohibit plastic carryout bags statewide and has not enacted express preemption barring local action, though local bag restrictions remain rare.

Georgia imposes no statewide ban on polystyrene foam food service containers, leaving foam cups, plates, and clamshells widely available across the state.

Georgia has no statewide ban or upon-request rule for plastic straws, leaving food service operators free to provide single-use straws under standard health rules.

Georgia prohibits the sale of tobacco, vapor, and alternative nicotine products to anyone under 21, aligning state law with the federal Tobacco 21 standard.

Georgia does not impose a statewide ban on flavored tobacco or flavored vapor products, leaving sales lawful subject to age, licensing, and federal restrictions.

Georgia regulates vape and alternative nicotine retail sales under Title 16 Chapter 12 Article 8, requiring licensing, age verification, and product compliance for retailers.