Thinking about an in-law suite or backyard cottage in East Cobb? You are not alone. With multigenerational living and flexible space in demand, many homeowners are asking where the rules stand for accessory dwelling units. In this guide, you will learn the current status, what the county proposed, and the practical steps to take if you are exploring an ADU on your property. Let’s dive in.
Quick status: Are ADUs allowed now?
As of early 2025, Cobb County has not adopted a countywide ordinance that broadly legalizes detached ADUs. County staff drafted an ADU amendment in 2024 as part of a larger code update, but the Board of Commissioners withdrew it after public hearings. You can review the county’s code amendment notice for context in the county’s update on the November 2024 package. Cobb County’s code amendment notice explains the proposal and its status.
Local reporting also summarized draft details and the board’s decision to pull the item after strong feedback from residents. East Cobb News has ongoing coverage of the ADU discussions and hearing outcomes.
What counts as an ADU in Cobb discussions
An accessory dwelling unit is a smaller, secondary home on the same lot as a primary house. It can be an interior conversion, an attached addition, or a detached backyard unit.
Today in East Cobb:
- Interior conversions like finished basements or in-law suites follow existing residential building and permitting rules.
- Detached backyard units are not broadly authorized by a specific ADU ordinance at this time.
If you are exploring a conversion, start with the county’s permitting guidance. Cobb County Building and Development outlines permit steps and inspections.
What the 2024 draft would have allowed
The withdrawn 2024 draft is useful because it shows what leaders were considering. Highlights reported at the time included:
- Size and form: One ADU per lot, capped at the lesser of 50 percent of the primary home or 850 square feet, and limited to one story. Detached units would be restricted to rear yards with standard accessory setbacks and lot coverage caps.
- Utilities and permanence: Permanently affixed structures tied into the main home’s utility meters, not tiny houses on wheels.
- Occupancy and owner residency: Owner would live on the property. The draft also proposed expanding the definition of household to allow up to three unrelated adults. See current household definitions in the zoning code’s definitions section. Cobb County’s code definitions outline household and occupancy terms.
- Parking and rentals: At least one off-street parking space for the ADU, impervious surface limits still apply, and no short-term rental use.
- Permitting: A special-use or permit step was discussed rather than automatic approval.
Important note: these provisions were not adopted. They are examples of what may reappear in a future proposal.
What you can do today in East Cobb
Even without a countywide ADU ordinance, you can still plan smart. Here is how to evaluate what is possible on a specific property.
Verify zoning and jurisdiction
- Confirm your parcel is in unincorporated Cobb County, not inside a nearby city. Different rules can apply across boundaries.
- Call or visit Community Development to ask how current code applies to interior conversions and accessory structures on your lot. The Building and Development page has contacts and submittal guidance.
Review private covenants and HOAs
- Many East Cobb neighborhoods have covenants that limit detached structures or rentals. These private rules can prohibit an ADU even if the county allows it in the future.
- Read your HOA bylaws, covenants, and deed restrictions before you spend money on plans.
Check utilities, septic, and stormwater
- Water and sewer: Confirm capacity and connection requirements with the water provider. If your lot is on septic, Environmental Health review is required.
- Start with the county’s water system for service and contact information. Cobb County Water System provides service and connection contacts.
- Stormwater: Adding a unit can increase impervious area and may trigger stormwater rules or fees. Recent coverage explains Cobb’s discussions about a new stormwater fee structure.
Plan for permits and inspections
- Any habitable space must meet building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and life-safety codes.
- Expect to submit a site plan or survey, scope of work, and licensed contractor details, then schedule inspections. Use the county’s permits and inspections resources to map your path.
Understand taxes and insurance
- Adding a legally permitted dwelling or expanded living area is typically treated as an improvement that increases assessed value.
- Homestead exemptions and Georgia property tax rules may affect your taxable amount. The Georgia Department of Revenue explains homestead exemptions and assessments.
- Speak with your insurance agent about coverage for a second unit and any changes to your policy.
Anticipate parking and neighborhood impacts
- Public feedback has focused on on-street parking, traffic, and school capacity. Even if rules change later, expect conditions around parking and site impacts.
Homeowner checklist
Confirm jurisdiction and zoning. Use parcel lookup tools or county records to verify your property’s location and zoning. The Board of Equalization site links to parcel and valuation resources.
Call Community Development. Ask whether a detached ADU is permitted on your lot today and what permits you would need for any interior conversion. Building and Development contacts are listed here.
Pull HOA and covenant documents. Confirm whether private rules allow detached accessory structures or rentals.
Confirm water, sewer, or septic capacity. Start with the water system, and contact Environmental Health if on septic. Use the Water System’s contact page.
Map out permits and documents. Typical items include a survey or site plan, scope of work, contractor licenses, and trade permits. See county forms and checklists to prepare your submittal.
Budget for taxes and insurance. Improvements can raise assessed value and may change your policy. Review state guidance on assessments and exemptions.
Looking ahead: What to watch
Cobb County considered ADUs as part of a broader code update, then paused the change after strong community feedback. Future steps will likely be incremental and highly public. Before you act, check for new agenda items, hearings, or code updates. The county’s code amendment page is the best place to monitor official updates.
Get local guidance you can trust
Whether you are weighing a basement conversion for family or planning a long-term investment strategy, you deserve clear, local advice. If you want help aligning your housing plans with East Cobb’s evolving rules and today’s market, reach out to the team at Occasio Collective. We are here to help you navigate next steps with confidence.
FAQs
Are detached ADUs currently legal in unincorporated East Cobb?
- No countywide ordinance has been adopted to allow detached ADUs. Confirm parcel-specific rules with Cobb County Community Development before planning a detached unit.
Can you convert a basement into an in-law suite in East Cobb right now?
- Interior conversions can be permitted under existing building codes if the space meets all life-safety and construction standards. Start with Cobb Building and Development for permits and inspections.
What did Cobb County’s 2024 ADU draft include for East Cobb homeowners?
- The withdrawn draft included size caps up to 850 square feet or 50 percent of the main home, owner-occupancy, one off-street parking space, no short-term rentals, and a special permit step.
How do HOAs in East Cobb affect ADU plans?
- Private covenants can prohibit detached structures or rentals, and they still control even if county rules later change. Review your HOA bylaws and recorded covenants early.
Will a permitted accessory unit raise my property taxes in Cobb County?
- Improvements typically increase assessed value, and exemptions may apply. Review state guidance and talk with the tax assessor and your insurance agent.
Where can I track future ADU rule changes in Cobb County?
- Monitor county news and public hearing notices. A good starting point is Cobb County’s code amendment updates page.
