DeKalb County, GA Home Business: Customer Traffic Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Type I
- No client visits, admin approval
- Type II
- Client visits require SLUP
- Coverage
- Unincorporated DeKalb only
- Vehicle cap
- 1 business vehicle per home occupation
Summary
In unincorporated DeKalb County, a home business with any customer or client visits is a Type II home occupation and needs a special land use permit; visit-free operations only qualify for administrative Type I approval.
A.A home occupation where no customer contact occurs shall be considered a Type I home occupation and may be conducted with administrative approval by the director of planning.1.Up to two (2) full-time residents of the premises are allowed to conduct separate home occupations in the same dwelling. In reviewing such a request, the local government may consider the reason, potential residential impact, parking needs, hours of operation and other relevant factors.B.All home occupations other than Type I home occupations shall be considered a Type II home occupation and shall require a special land use permit (SLUP). Additional conditions may be placed on the approval of a Type II home occupation in order to ensure the home occupation will not be a detriment to the character of the residential neighborhood.1.Customer contact is allowed for Type II home occupations.
Full Breakdown
DeKalb County's zoning code splits home-based businesses into two tiers under Sec. 4.2.31. A Type I home occupation has no customer contact and needs only administrative sign-off from the director of planning. Any client visits push the business into Type II, which requires a special land use permit (SLUP) from the board of commissioners, and the county can attach extra conditions on parking, hours, and neighborhood impact before approving in-person client traffic. This applies only in unincorporated DeKalb; residents of Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Tucker, Stonecrest, Decatur, and the county's other cities follow their own municipal codes instead.
Violations & Fines
Operating a customer-facing home business without the required SLUP is a zoning violation; DeKalb's general penalty section allows fines up to $1,000 and up to 120 days in jail, plus permit holds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I meet clients at my home business in unincorporated DeKalb County?
Does this rule apply inside Decatur or Dunwoody?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DeKalb County
Compare DeKalb County to another location·View the Georgia home business overview
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