Dunwoody yards: what we plan around
Most of Dunwoody was built as subdivisions between the 1960s and the 1980s: ranch and two-story homes on lots of about a quarter to half an acre, many with a swim and tennis club nearby. The trees have had 50 years to grow, so yards are shadier than they were. A lot of the original landscaping is still there, too: railroad-tie walls, worn-out lawns under oaks, and patios sized for a grill and two chairs.
The ground rolls gently at about 1,100 feet, and streams such as Nancy Creek and its branches run behind many lots. Like the rest of the metro, it’s red clay underneath, so drainage matters on every project.
Projects we build most in Dunwoody
- Replacing old timber walls with block or stone walls that won’t rot.
- Bigger patios with a fire pit, replacing small decks and concrete slabs.
- Shade landscapes where lawns have thinned under mature trees.
- Front walks and steps rebuilt for safety and curb appeal.
Permits and rules in Dunwoody
- No tree removal permit is needed on single-family lots outside the stream buffer, but each lot must keep a minimum tree density for its size. Trees inside the buffer need a permit and a certified arborist report.
- Dunwoody keeps a 75-foot buffer along streams: a 25-foot state buffer plus 50 more feet from the city. No grading or tree removal is allowed there without approval.
- Walls, fences and retaining walls in a front yard, or a side yard facing a street, need a Community Development permit before they go up. Retaining walls over 4 feet also need a building permit and engineering.
- Many Dunwoody subdivisions have HOAs or covenants. We prepare drawings for architectural review when needed.
We confirm buffers, tree counts and wall permits for your lot before we design. We last checked these rules in October 2026.
Neighborhoods we serve in Dunwoody
Dunwoody North, Dunwoody Village, Georgetown, Williamsburg, and the neighborhoods along Tilly Mill Road and Winters Chapel Road, plus the single-family streets near Brook Run Park.