FAQs • Douglas County, GA • CivicEngage

What are the requirements for placing an accessory structure (i.e. detached garage, utility building, storage shed or barn) on my property?: All accessory structures must receive a building permit. There are size limitations on accessory structures based on your zoning district and what type of structure you are permitting. Please contact the Planning and Zoning office at 770-920-7241 for specific instructions on the type of structure you would like to place on the property.

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Planning & Zoning

1. How do I find out how my property is zoned?: Call or visit the Douglas County Planning and Zoning office and provide your address or show a tax bill.

2. What is the minimum house size in Douglas County?: The minimum house size for an individual is 1,800 square feet.

You will need the following items to begin the building permit process in the Planning and Zoning Department:

4. What is the requirement for a mobile home to be placed on a property?: You must have a minimum of 10 acres and the property must be zoned R-A.

5. Can I replace my mobile home with a new mobile home if I do not have 10 acres?: You can replace a mobile home in the same space that the existing mobile home is placed as long as the new home is no larger than the existing mobile home. All mobile homes require a permit. If a mobile home is being moved into Douglas County from another jurisdiction, it must have been manufactured within the last 5 years and pass a pre-move inspection. If the mobile home is being relocated within Douglas County there is not an age requirement but the mobile home must pass a pre-move inspection.

6. Can I place a mobile home on my property in order to care for an elderly parent or sick relative?: Yes. You must apply and be approved by the Board of Commissioners for a Special Use Permit for a Mobile Home Medical Hardship. This requires a letter from a doctor stating that a relative must be in close proximity for urgent care.

7. When are the public hearings for new zoning?: The first Tuesday of each month at 6 pm in Citizen’s Hall located on the 2nd floor of the Douglas County Courthouse located at 8700 Hospital Drive. All zoning requests are advertised in the Douglas County Sentinel and by a sign placed on the subject property.

8. If I cannot meet a requirement placed on my property for setbacks or buffers, is there any way to be granted an exception to the rule?: Yes. You can apply for a variance to certain requirements within the code. This request is made to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

9. Where can I find the zoning code online?: Go to Municode, each chapter will be listed and you can download from this page.

If you own a tract of land and you want to split one parcel off (that meets the minimum acreage for your zoning district), you may have the property surveyed and the new lot shown. Bring 4 copies of the survey to the Planning and Zoning Department to file a Random Conveyance. This procedure is allowed once every 2 years on the same property.
If you wish to split a tract into more than one parcel, you must apply for a subdivision.

11. What are the buffer requirements for a commercial property that is adjacent to residential property?: Any commercial or industrial property that is adjacent to residential property must maintain (if existing) or plant a 50 feet vegetative buffer.

12. What is a modular home and what are the requirements for them?: A modular home or industrialized home is a building manufactured in accordance with the GA Industrialized Building Act (O.C.G.A. Title 8, Chapter 2, Article 2, Part 1) and the Rules of the Commissioner of the GA Department of Community Affairs issued pursuant thereto. State-approved buildings meet the State Building and Construction Codes and bear an insignia of approval issued by the Commissioner. Modular homes area allowed in the AG, RA, R-LD, and R-MD zoning districts. These structures must meet all setback requirements for the respective zoning district and require a building permit.

13. What are the requirements for placing an accessory structure (i.e. detached garage, utility building, storage shed or barn) on my property?: All accessory structures must receive a building permit. There are size limitations on accessory structures based on your zoning district and what type of structure you are permitting. Please contact the Planning and Zoning office at 770-920-7241 for specific instructions on the type of structure you would like to place on the property.