Tucker yards: what we plan around
Most Tucker homes were built between the 1960s and the 1990s: ranches, split-levels and two-story houses on lots of about a quarter to more than half an acre. Smoke Rise, on the east side, has larger wooded lots and steeper ground. Across the city, the land rolls at around 1,100 feet, and creeks such as South Fork Peachtree Creek, Burnt Fork Creek and Henderson Mill Creek drain the neighborhoods.
Split-level houses are common here, and they’re built partly into the ground. When the yard slopes toward the house, water ends up at the lower level. Fixing the grade is often the first step before any patio or planting.
Projects we build most in Tucker
- Drainage and regrading around split-levels and basements.
- Patios off the lower level, with a retaining wall to hold back the slope.
- Wooded-lot landscapes in Smoke Rise that work with the trees.
- Lighting for long driveways and walks.
Permits and rules in Tucker
- Tucker became a city in 2016. Building permits, land development and tree rules now come from the City of Tucker, not DeKalb County.
- The city has a residential tree removal permit application. It asks for photos, a sketch, an arborist letter for dead or diseased trees and a check on how close the tree is to a stream. The city also has a tree protection ordinance that requires canopy coverage. We confirm the current size limits before planning removals.
- The city’s tree permit form refers to a 75-foot stream buffer, so work near creeks needs a closer look.
- Retaining walls over 4 feet need a building permit and engineering.
We confirm tree, buffer and wall rules with the City of Tucker for your lot before we design. We last checked these rules in October 2026.
Neighborhoods we serve in Tucker
Smoke Rise, Northlake, Montreal, Henderson Mill, Briarlake and the streets around downtown Tucker and Main Street.