Statewide, Georgia
Overview
| Name | Residential Building Code – 2018 IRC and Appendix Q |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Statewide |
| Zoning Districts | Residential |
| Effective Date | 01/01/2020 |
| Municipal Code | GA State Amendments to IRC 2018 (See Appendix Q on Pages 15-17) |
| Code Link | https://www.dca.ga.gov/sites/default/files/irc_2020_amendments_1.pdf |
| Authority | GA Dept. of Community Affairs (DCA), Building Code Division and the GA State Codes Advisory Committee (GSCAC) |
Summary
The codes are adopted at the state level through the GA Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Building Codes Division and the GA State Codes Advisory Committee (GSCAC).
All appendices need to be adopted locally before they can be enforced. If your local jurisdiction has not yet approved Georgia’s Appendix Q, contact your local building code official. You may offer the exact building code (in the building code link above), along with this Sample Ordinance Adoption Form.
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has also produced a terrific Tiny House Fact Sheet.
The fact sheet explains how tiny houses can be built in different ways and the zoning impacts. Here is the Overview from the Fact Sheet:
“Tiny houses” have received a lot of attention and interest in recent years. A tiny house is typically defined as a single-family home, generally 400 square feet or less, excluding lofts. Tiny homes are built in different ways, and it is important to identify which types of tiny homes fall within the scope and application of building codes. The four types of tiny homes are:
- Recreational Vehicles
- Manufactured (mobile) homes
- Residential (modular) Industrialized Buildings
- Site-built dwellings
Regulations for each of these four types may vary, but generally, the state’s building codes only apply to tiny homes that are modular dwellings (tiny homes on foundations without a permanent metal chassis) and site-built dwellings. Recreational vehicles and manufactured homes are not regulated by building codes but fall under other HUD and other industry standards.
Key Contacts
GA Dept. of Community Affairs Building Code Division
Office of Construction Codes & Industrialized Buildings
60 Executive Park South, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30329-2231
Phone: 404-679-3106
Notes
IRC Source: https://www.iccsafe.org/georgia/
State Source: https://www.dca.ga.gov/local-government-assistance/construction-codes-industrialized-buildings/construction-codes
Updated: February 2021 – Loran
THIA will be constantly updating the legislation data. Check back often. Suggest A Correction if you are aware of any missing or incorrect information. AND keep scrolling to learn more about getting guidance.
Key
Category
Building Code — Legislation that speaks to how to construct a tiny house.
Zoning Code — Legislation that speaks to how the lot will be used.
Type
ADU — Accessory Dwelling Unit
DMV — Division of Motor Vehicles
IB — Industrialized Buildings
IRC — International Residential Code
PUD — Planned Unit Development
RV — Recreational Vehicle
SF — Single Family Dwelling
T — Transitional Housing
UDO — Unified Development Ordinance
Please Suggest a Correction if you find broken links or misinformation.
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