North Decatur, GA

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.

DeKalb County Code (Ch. 18 Nuisances and Ch. 30 Environmental Nuisances) prohibits excessively overgrown grass and weeds as a nuisance. Uncut or overgrown grass and weeds are listed as a nuisance condition. Code Enforcement (404-371-2181) issues notices with compliance periods before citations.

DeKalb County Watershed Management provides water service to unincorporated DeKalb County. Georgia Water Stewardship Act (2010) outdoor watering schedule applies. During EPD drought declarations (Level 1–4), outdoor watering progressively restricted. Contact DeKalb County Watershed: 404-371-2673.

DeKalb County homeowners may remove up to 5 healthy non-specimen trees per calendar year with written notification to the County Arborist. Removal of more than 5 trees or any specimen tree requires a formal Notice of Tree Removal with an ISA-certified arborist's health/risk assessment. Specimen trees: hardwoods ≥30 inch DBH; small trees ≥10 inch DBH.

DeKalb County's tree protection ordinance (Ch. 14, Land Development) requires ISA-certified arborist assessments for significant pruning of protected trees. Pruning within 75-foot stream buffers requires permits. Consult the DeKalb County Arborist (404-371-2685) before major pruning work.

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.

DeKalb County requires building permits for carport construction. Accessory structure setbacks apply under Zoning Code Chapter 27. Prefab metal carports subject to same permit requirements as built-in-place.

Storage sheds in unincorporated DeKalb County are regulated under 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. Building permits required for sheds over 144 sq ft from Building Inspection (404-371-3026).

Garage conversions to habitable space or an ADU in unincorporated DeKalb County require a building permit (404-371-3026). Must comply with Georgia Residential Code (IRC) for insulation, egress, HVAC, and electrical. ADU rules (§4.2.3) apply if creating a separate unit including owner-occupancy requirement.

ADUs in unincorporated DeKalb County are permitted in residential single-family districts under Zoning Ordinance §4.2.3. Min. lot size: 10,000 sq ft. Max ADU size: 900 sq ft. Max height under 24 feet. Owner must occupy either the main home or ADU and have a homestead exemption. ADU appearance must match main residence.

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.

Pool safety in unincorporated DeKalb County follows Georgia Residential Code (IRC) and National Electrical Code. VGB-compliant drain covers required. All electrical work must be permitted. Pools must be maintained to prevent mosquito breeding per DeKalb County health codes.

DeKalb County requires a minimum 5-foot pool barrier (more restrictive than the state's 4-foot minimum). All residential pools deeper than 24 inches must be fully enclosed. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. Building permit required from DeKalb County Building Inspection (404-371-3026).

Above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches in DeKalb County must meet the same 5-foot pool barrier requirement as in-ground pools. Pool walls of 5+ feet may serve as the barrier if ladders are secured or removed when not in use. Building permits required.

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.

Dekalb County 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 noise ordinance (Ch. 16, Art. VII) applies to unincorporated areas. Quiet hours: 11:00 PM–7:00 AM in residential areas — it is unlawful to create sound plainly audible inside a sealed neighboring single-family home. Commercial/industrial dB limits also apply. DeKalb County Police: 770-724-7650.

DeKalb County noise ordinance §16-304 specifically limits animal vocalizations in residential areas: pets may not vocalize continuously for more than 15 minutes or intermittently for more than 30 minutes between 7:01 AM and 10:59 PM. Exception for intruder warning. DeKalb County Animal Services: 404-294-2996.

Construction noise in unincorporated DeKalb County is regulated under Ch. 16, Art. VII, §16-304. Construction and demolition activities (pile drivers, pneumatic equipment, etc.) are prohibited during nighttime quiet hours (11 PM–7 AM). DeKalb County Building Inspection enforces permitted construction activity.

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.

New or modified driveways and curb cuts in unincorporated DeKalb County require permits from the Building Inspection Department (404-371-3026). Vehicles must not block sidewalks or the public right-of-way. Impervious surface limits in residential zoning may restrict driveway expansions.

Heavy commercial vehicles parked long-term in residential zones of unincorporated DeKalb County may violate the Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27). Standard pickups for personal use are generally allowed. Large trucks and semi-trailers are restricted from long-term residential storage. Code Enforcement: 404-371-2181.

Street parking in unincorporated DeKalb County follows Georgia vehicle code and county ordinances. No parking within 15 feet of fire hydrants, no blocking driveways or intersections. Inoperable vehicles are regulated under the county nuisance code (Ch. 18). Code Enforcement: 404-371-2181.

Recreational vehicles and trailers in residential zones of unincorporated DeKalb County are subject to zoning ordinance (Ch. 27) standards. Long-term RV storage in front yards or on public streets is generally restricted. Rear yard storage is preferred. Code Enforcement: 404-371-2181.

DeKalb County STR ordinance requires hosts to maintain liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, or to operate through a platform providing equivalent coverage (Airbnb, VRBO platform liability meets requirement).

DeKalb County STR ordinance (Chapter 15 Article VII, adopted 2021) sets maximum occupancy at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional. Sleeping in non-bedroom spaces prohibited. Listing must accurately state cap.

STR parking in unincorporated DeKalb County follows standard residential zoning and parking regulations. Vehicles must not block driveways, sidewalks, or fire hydrants. Excessive guest vehicles may trigger zoning code enforcement. Code Enforcement: 404-371-2181.

DeKalb County levies an 8% hotel-motel excise tax on STR rental income under O.C.G.A. §48-13-51(b). Half of revenue funds tourism promotion through the DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau. Georgia's $5/night state lodging fee also applies. Airbnb/VRBO typically auto-collect in Georgia.

DeKalb County adopted a new STR Ordinance (TA-24-1246762) approved July 24, 2025, with a 180-day implementation period extended to May 20, 2026. STR operators must obtain a Business License and complete an annual Short-Term Rental Registration. The application process was not yet available as of early 2026. Contact: DeKalb County Business License Division, 404-371-2461.

STR guests in unincorporated DeKalb County are subject to the county's noise ordinance (Ch. 16, Art. VII). Quiet hours: 11 PM–7 AM. Animal barking limits apply under §16-304. STR operators are responsible for guest compliance with all county ordinances.

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.

Urban beekeeping is permitted in unincorporated DeKalb County in residential zones subject to Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27) standards and Georgia Department of Agriculture registration. Hive setbacks from property lines and swarm management required. Contact Planning and Sustainability: 404-371-2155.

DeKalb County requires all dogs to be kept on a leash or under direct physical control when off the owner's property. Dogs at large are prohibited and subject to impoundment. DeKalb County Animal Services: 404-294-2996. Georgia's Responsible Dog Ownership Law (GA Code §4-8-20+) governs dangerous dogs.

Exotic wild animals (Class 1) are prohibited in Georgia without a DNR permit (GA Code §27-5-4). DeKalb County Animal Services (404-294-2996) and the Georgia DNR Wildlife Division enforce exotic animal regulations. Keeping dangerous wild animals in residential areas is not permitted.

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

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.

Home occupations in unincorporated DeKalb County are regulated under the Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27) as supplemental use regulations. A business license (Occupational Tax Certificate) is required. Home businesses must be clearly incidental to residential use and not change the character of the neighborhood.

Home occupation signage in unincorporated DeKalb County is restricted. Commercial signs advertising a home business in residential zones are generally prohibited. Only a small non-illuminated nameplate may be permitted. Contact Planning and Sustainability for sign permit requirements.

Customer and delivery traffic to home businesses in unincorporated DeKalb County must not exceed residential norms under Ch. 27. Regular appointment streams, multiple simultaneous clients, or commercial deliveries that alter neighborhood character are restricted or may not qualify for home occupation approval.

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.

DeKalb County Zoning Ordinance §5.4.7: front yard fences limited to 4 feet maximum; interior side and rear yard fences up to 8 feet maximum. Corner lot visibility triangles extend 25 feet from intersection — no fence over 2.5 feet in this zone. Pool enclosures require minimum 5-foot barriers.

Fence permits in unincorporated DeKalb County are required through the Building Inspection Department (404-371-3026). Applications must show compliance with Zoning Ordinance §5.4.7 height limits, setbacks, and material standards. Pool fencing requires additional review.

Georgia common law applies in DeKalb County: fences must be on the owner's property. No county ordinance requires neighbor consent. Boundary disputes are civil matters. A survey is strongly recommended before installation. Variances available for documented hardship cases.

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 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 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 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.

DeKalb County participates in FEMA's NFIP and strictly enforces floodplain management under Ch. 27 Zoning and a separate Floodplain Management Ordinance. Development in SFHA (Zones AE, AO, A) requires floodplain development permits. New structures must meet Base Flood Elevation. FEMA maps at msc.fema.gov.

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.