Rockdale County, GA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum lot, agriculture/forestry use
- 5.0 acres
- Minimum lot, residence with private stable
- 3.0 acres
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Planning and Development
- Special uses
- Require special use permit, Sec. 218-13
- Road standards
- No curb/gutter/sidewalk required
- Governing ordinance
- Ord. No. 0-2006-32, Nov. 28, 2006
Summary
In unincorporated Rockdale County, the A-R Agricultural-Residential District (Sec. 206-2 of the Unified Development Ordinance) sets aside land where single-family homes coexist with farming. A residence with a private stable needs a minimum 3.0-acre lot, and agriculture or forestry uses need a minimum 5.0-acre lot. Local and collector streets in the district can skip curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
(a)Purpose and intent. The A-R district is intended to provide for areas of the county where single-family residential development can co-exist compatibly with agricultural and agriculture related uses. ... (e)Property development standards. Property in the A-R district may be developed in accordance with section 214-1 of the UDO, dimensional standards for zoning districts, table 1 development standards for residential zoning districts. Additionally, the following regulations shall apply:(1)Minimum lot size:a.Residences with private stables: 3.0 acres.b.Agriculture and forestry uses: 5.0 acres.(2)Road standards. Local and collector streets in the A-R district may be constructed without curbs and gutters or sidewalks.
Full Breakdown
The A-R district exists, in the county's own words, "to provide for areas of the county where single-family residential development can co-exist compatibly with agricultural and agriculture related uses" (Sec. 206-2(a)). Principal uses allowed by right are whatever the Sec. 218-1 table of permitted uses lists for A-R; accessory uses follow that same table plus the accessory-use standards in Sec. 218-7. Anything not automatically permitted, such as a use needing extra conditions, can still land in A-R as a special use, but only after the Department of Planning and Development approves a special use permit under the additional standards in Sec.
218-13. Dimensional limits (setbacks, lot width, height) come from Sec. 0 acres for agriculture and forestry uses. The district also relaxes road standards: local and collector streets in A-R may be built without curbs, gutters or sidewalks, recognizing the district's lower-density, rural character. These rules trace to Ord. No. 0-2006-32, adopted November 28, 2006, and remain in Title 2 (Land Use and Zoning) of the Code of Ordinances. Because Conyers is the county's only municipality and governs its own zoning, these A-R standards apply only outside the city limits, in unincorporated Rockdale County, where the Board of Commissioners has zoning authority and the Department of Planning and Development administers permits and site plan review.
Violations & Fines
Using or building on A-R land in violation of the UDO draws a citation to Rockdale County Magistrate Court under Sec. 110-7, with penalties set by the general penalty provision at Code § 1-11; each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. The county can also seek injunctive or abatement action, withhold public utility service from a noncompliant structure, or revoke a violator's business license for up to five years under Sec. 110-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the A-R district allow in unincorporated Rockdale County?
How much land do I need to keep a horse or farm animals in A-R?
Do A-R streets need curbs and sidewalks?
What happens if a property in A-R is used or built in violation of the zoning code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockdale County
Compare Rockdale County to another location·View the Georgia right to farm overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.