Atlanta's Land Development Code (Part III) divides the city into base zoning districts plus Quality-of-Life and Special Public Interest overlays that tailor design, density, and use rules to specific neighborhoods.
Atlanta's zoning is codified in Part III of the City Code (the Land Development Code, often called the Atlanta Zoning Ordinance). It pairs base districts (R-1 through R-5, MR, MRC, C, I) with Quality-of-Life zones (MRC, NC, MR, LW) and Special Public Interest districts that add design standards for places like the Beltline, Midtown, and Buckhead. The Office of Zoning and Development reviews applications, and the Zoning Review Board hears variances and special-use permits. A comprehensive rewrite, the Atlanta City Design Code, has been in development to consolidate dozens of overlays into a unified form-based code aligned with ATL2050 priorities and the Beltline subarea master plans.
Operating uses outside permitted zones can trigger stop-work orders, daily fines through municipal court, and revocation of certificates of occupancy until compliance is achieved.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta encourages transit-oriented development through Beltline Overlay zoning, MARTA station-area plans, and the Beltline Tax Allocation District (Ord. 05-...
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta's zoning code (Part 16, Chapter 28) establishes detailed setback requirements that vary by zoning district. Residential districts (R-1 through R-5) h...
See how Atlanta's specific plans overview rules stack up against other locations.
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