Rockdale County adopts updated UDO, expands housing options and clarifies development standards

ROCKDALE COUNTY,GA – Rockdale County has completed a comprehensive rewrite of its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The updated UDO modernizes development regulations, expands housing options, gives property owners more flexibility, and creates more opportunities for community engagement in the development proces, county officials announced in a news release.

The Board of Commissioners adopted the comprehensive UDO in phases on August 25 and September 22, 2026. The updated ordinance took effect on October 1, 2026, except for Section 9.5.3, which was adopted separately on October 6, 2026.

The Planning & Development Department led the rewrite, which began in February 2025 as part of the County’s efforts toward long-term growth and development. The updated UDO reorganizes and refreshes regulations for zoning, land use, subdivision design, site development, and environmental protection throughout unincorporated Rockdale County.

Key Changes and Benefits

The updated UDO includes several notable changes that affect residents, property owners, and developers, including:

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Permits accessory dwelling units (smaller living spaces) on eligible residential properties, providing additional housing options.
• Reduced Acreage Requirements for Keeping Chickens: Reduces the minimum property size required to keep chickens from three acres to one acre, allowing more property owners to qualify.
• Tiny Home and Cottage Home Villages: Establishes standards for these residential communities, creating more opportunities for smaller and alternative housing options.
• Pre-Application Community Meetings: Requires community meetings before certain proposed special use permits, rezonings, and planned unit developments, providing applicants the opportunity to share project information and receive community feedback earlier in the development process.

The updated UDO provides a clearer framework for administering development applications, guiding future growth, and consistently applying the County’s development regulations.

Residents, property owners, and developers are encouraged to view the County’s official development regulations to understand requirements and standards.

In addition, the updated UDO clarifies development standards and strengthens provisions for stormwater management, flood damage prevention, landscaping, tree protection, buffers, and environmental resources.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

Community and stakeholder input helped inform the rewrite. The Planning & Development Department conducted 10 stakeholder meetings along with three Planning Commission public hearings and Board of Commissioners public hearings. These meetings and hearings provided opportunities for public review, discussion, and consideration of the proposed regulations.

For more information, contact the Rockdale County Planning & Development Department or visit the County’s Code of Ordinances online.