Shed Permit in Atlanta, GA
Permit Summary
Do You Need a Shed Permit?
Exemptions
Atlanta's current permit-exemption guidance does not provide a size-based exemption for construction of a new shed. It exempts certain qualifying repair work, including repair work under $10,000 and listed repairs to existing residential or accessory structures. For properties governed by Chapter 20 historic or landmark regulations, exterior work is generally excluded from those exemptions, although otherwise-lawful repair work under $2,500 may qualify for the stated historic-property repair exemption.
Attached Shed Rules
Under Atlanta zoning, a building attached to the principal building is treated as part of the principal building rather than as a detached accessory building. An attached shed therefore follows the zoning and building requirements applicable to the principal building instead of the detached-accessory-building standards.
Shed Use Rules
A shed must remain an accessory use that is customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use. Atlanta generally prohibits use of accessory buildings as dwellings or lodgings unless another zoning provision specifically authorizes that use. Converting a shed to habitable or other occupied space can change the applicable permit, zoning, and code requirements.
Zoning & Placement Rules
Zoning Rules
Sheds are regulated as accessory structures. Accessory buildings must be constructed concurrent with or after the principal building. In R-1 through R-5 districts, accessory buildings are generally limited to 20 feet in height, no more than 25 percent of the rear-yard area, and total floor area no greater than 30 percent of the main structure. Other zoning districts and overlays may apply different standards.
Setback Rules
There is no single citywide shed setback that applies to every Atlanta property. Placement and required front, side, and rear yards depend on the zoning district, lot configuration, and any overlay, historic, or special-district rules. The permit site plan must demonstrate compliance with the applicable location and setback standards.
Maximum Height Rules
In R-1 through R-5 districts, accessory buildings are limited to 20 feet in height. Other zoning districts and historic or special districts may impose different height limits or compatibility requirements, so the controlling district regulations govern the site.
Lot Coverage Rules
In R-1 through R-5 districts, accessory buildings may not cover more than 25 percent of the rear-yard area and may not contain total floor area greater than 30 percent of the main structure. The zoning district's overall lot-coverage or impervious-surface limits may also apply.
Special Area Rules
Additional land-use approvals can apply in Special Public Interest, Beltline, Live-Work, Multi-Family Residential, Mixed Residential Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial, I-Mix, Unified Development Plan, historic, and landmark areas. Depending on the district and scope, a Special Administrative Permit, Certificate of Appropriateness, or other approval may be required before the building permit is filed or issued.
Construction Requirements
Foundation Rules
Atlanta does not publish a separate shed-specific foundation exemption or alternate foundation standard in its current shed guidance. Foundation design must comply with the applicable 2024 IRC or IBC with Georgia Amendments and the approved permit plans.
Fire Separation Rules
Atlanta does not publish a separate shed-specific fire-separation table in its current shed guidance. Permitted sheds must comply with the applicable 2024 IRC or IBC with Georgia Amendments, including exterior-wall, opening, and projection requirements tied to fire-separation distance where applicable.
Permit & Review Path
Permit / Review Path
Shed permits may be submitted through Atlanta's standard building-permit process. Atlanta also maintains Express reference materials for sheds; eligible Express permits are reviewed over the counter with a 30-minute service-level agreement, must be submitted in person, and are accepted at the plan reviewer's discretion. Small projects may still be submitted online and routed to the appropriate workstream.
Trade Permits & Professional Design
Trade Permit Rules
Separate trade permits are required when the shed scope includes regulated electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, low-voltage, or similar work. A simple storage shed without trade work does not trigger those trade permits solely because the building permit is required.
Professional Design Rules
A licensed architect or engineer is not identified as universally required for every shed. Where structural documents or certified engineering are required by the scope or by the Office of Buildings, those documents must be submitted. Effective January 12, 2026, Atlanta temporarily suspended its own structural-drawing review, while requiring submitted structural documents to remain the responsibility of the Engineer of Record; the Office of Buildings may also require a certified engineer's letter for structural stability where applicable.
What You Need Before Applying
Requirements
Obtain the building permit before constructing a shed and comply with Atlanta zoning and the applicable Georgia construction codes. New permit applications submitted on or after February 1, 2026 must comply with the 2024 IRC or IBC, as applicable, with Georgia Amendments. The project must also obtain any zoning, historic-preservation, arborist, or other approvals triggered by the site or scope before permit issuance.
Required Documents
An application and plans are required for permit submittal. Typical shed review materials include a site or plot plan showing the proposed shed, property lines, existing structures, and setbacks; architectural and structural drawings sufficient to describe the work; the project cost; and any required zoning, historic, arborist, or other supporting approvals. Online files must follow Atlanta's PDF and file-naming standards.