Accessory uses and structures are permitted in all districts, if those uses and structures are of a nature customarily incidental and clearly subordinate to a permitted use or structure, and unless otherwise provided, these uses and structures are located on the same lot (or a contiguous lot in the same ownership) as the principal use.

700.1 Accessory buildings and structures.

(a)

Attached Accessory Building. Where an accessory building is attached to the main building, a substantial part of one wall of the accessory building shall be an integral part of the main building, or such accessory building shall be attached to the main building in a substantial manner by a roof, and therefore meet requirements applicable to the main building.

(b)

Detached Accessory Building.

1.

Location. Detached accessory buildings and structures are permitted within any required side and rear yard (i.e., the area between the side or rear building line and the lot line). Detached accessory buildings and structures may not be located within the required minimum front yard (i.e., between the front building line and the lot line.)

2.

Height and Bulk. A detached accessory building shall not be higher than the height of the house or main structure on the lot and shall not be occupy more than twenty-five (25) percent of the rear yard area.

3.

Setbacks. Detached accessory buildings and structures shall meet the setback requirements for the district in which they are located, except that accessory buildings on lots that are determined to be non-conforming lots of record pursuant to Section 500.2 (Non-conforming Lots of Record) may be located not less than five (5) feet from the lot line.

700.2 Accessory swimming pools. Accessory swimming pools shall be enclosed by a wall or fence at least four (4) feet in height.

700.3 Household pets. Household pets are a permitted accessory use in all residential districts, provided those pets do not become a public nuisance or health hazard.

700.4 Temporary buildings.

(a)

Construction Site. Temporary buildings used only in conjunction with construction work may be permitted in any district, provided that no temporary building shall be used for a residential purpose and such temporary building shall be removed immediately upon completion of construction.

(b)

Temporary Structures. Tents and similar structures shall be authorized for temporary use for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days for special purposes related to the primary use of the main building or principal use of the lot. A permit issued by the Chief Codes Official shall be required for all such structures prior to the erection or use of such structures, provided that no permit shall be required for the use of such structure when used in connection with a funeral or for tents that cover less than five hundred (500) square feet in area. The Chief Codes Official shall not issue more than two permits for such structures during a calendar year for any lot unless authorization is granted by action of the Board of Zoning Appeals to allow additional permits to be issued.

(c)

Temporary Structures in Parking Lots. Where any such tent or structure is planned to be erected in the parking area that is intended to provide parking for the primary use of the lot such that the in the opinion of the Chief Codes Official adequate parking would not be continuously provided for use of the property, the Chief Codes Official may deny the issuance of the permit. For any such permit denied by the Chief Codes Official, the applicant may appeal the matter to the next regular meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals.

710.1 Intent and purpose. The purpose of allowing accessory residential units as a permitted use for single-family dwellings is to allow for the more efficient use of the city's existing housing stock of single-family housing by providing the opportunity for a homeowner to convert a portion of the interior of a dwelling unit, an existing, detached garage, or an existing, accessory building to a separate housekeeping unit which may be rented. It is the intent of these regulations to preserve the single-family residential character of the zoning district.

710.2 Definitions.

(a)

Accessory dwelling unit: A subordinate dwelling unit incorporated within a single family dwelling, or in an existing, detached, accessory structure, such as a garage. Accessory dwelling units may not be subdivided or otherwise segregated in ownership from the primary residence structure; nor may mobile homes or manufactured homes be used as an accessory dwelling unit.

(b)

Existing single-family dwelling: A single family dwelling unit for which permits for construction of the principal dwelling were finalized (occupancy approved) at least three years prior to application for accessory dwelling unit.

(c)

Owner occupancy: A site which a property owner, as reflected in title records, makes his or her legal residence, as evidenced by voter registration, vehicle registration, or similar means, and actually resides at the site more than six months out of any given year, and at no time receives rent for the owner-occupied unit.

710.3 Requirements. In districts where permitted, only one accessory dwelling unit is permitted as subordinate to an existing single-family dwelling provided the following criteria are met:

(a)

Location. Accessory dwelling units shall be permitted within a single-family structure, or in an existing, detached, accessory structure, such as a detached garage.

(b)

Occupancy by property owner. Either the primary residence or the accessory dwelling unit must be occupied by an owner of the property;

(c)

Number of occupants. The total number of occupants in both the primary residence and the accessory dwelling unit combined may not exceed the maximum number established by the definition of family in Article II;

(d)

Size of the unit. The accessory dwelling unit shall contain not less than 300 square feet and not more than 800 square feet, excluding any related garage area; provided, if the accessory unit is completely located on a single floor, the Chief Codes Official may allow increased size in order to efficiently use all floor area, so long as all other standards set forth in this section are met;

(1)

The square footage of the accessory dwelling unit, excluding any garage area, shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of the total square footage of the primary residence and accessory dwelling unit combined, excluding any garage area;

(e)

Parking. There shall be one off-street parking space provided for the accessory dwelling unit in addition to any off-street spaces required for the primary residence;

(f)

Entrance to the unit. The construction of a second entry door facing on a street front for entrance into an accessory unit is prohibited: new entrances not facing on a street front are permitted on the sides and rear of a house, or on a front side facing on a street where no other door exists; provided that existing single family structures with two or more entry doors facing on a street shall not be prohibited from using one of those doors to access the accessory unit; and

(g)

Building codes. The accessory dwelling unit shall meet all building code standards including building, electrical, fire, and plumbing code requirements.

720.1 Location. The building in which an automobile service station or convenience store is located shall not be within 100 feet of any residential district, or any property containing a school, public playground, church, hospital, public library, day care center, or personal care home.

720.2 Site requirements. An automobile service station or convenience store shall have a minimum frontage on the primary street of 120 feet and a minimum lot area of 12,000 square feet. All buildings shall be set back 40 feet from all street right-of-way lines, and all canopies shall be set back 15 feet from all street right-of-way lines.

720.3 Access to site. Vehicular entrances or exits at an automobile service station:

(a)

Shall not be provided with more than two (2) curb cuts for the first 120 feet of street frontage or fraction thereof.

(b)

Shall contain an access width along the curb line of the street of not more than 40 feet as measured parallel to the street at its narrowest point and shall not be located less than 20 feet from a street intersection or closer than 10 feet from the adjoining property.

(c)

Shall not have any two (2) driveways, or curb cuts, any less than 20 feet apart at both the right-of-way line and the curb or edge of the pavement along a single street.

720.4 Gasoline pump islands. All gasoline pump islands shall be set back at least 20 feet from the right-of-way line, or where a future widening line has been established, the setback line shall be measured from such line; and where pump islands are constructed perpendicular to the right-of-way line; However, the pumps shall be at least sixty (60) feet from the centerline of an arterial street, fifty-five (55) feet from the centerline of a collector street, and forty-five (45) feet from the centerline of other streets.

720.5 Off-street parking. A minimum of two (2) off-street parking spaces are required with an additional off-street parking space for each lubrication and wash bay.

720.6 Other site improvements. In addition to the above requirements, the following additional site improvements shall be adhered to:

(a)

A raised curb of at least 6 inches in height shall be erected along the street property lines, except for driveway openings.

(b)

A solid fence or wall 6 feet in height shall be erected along all property lines abutting any adjacent residential lot.

(c)

Exterior lighting shall be arranged so that it is deflected away from adjacent properties and streets.

(d)

Signs, whether permanent or temporary, shall not be placed within the public right-of-way and shall be arranged so that they do not obstruct visibility for drivers or pedestrians.

(e)

All drives, parking storage, and service areas shall be paved and curbed and a good stand of grass shall be maintained on the remainder of the lot.

Bed and breakfasts, as defined by this Ordinance, shall comply with the following standards:

(a)

Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with section 510 of this Ordinance.

(b)

No cooking facilities shall be allowed in the guestrooms.

(c)

The structure shall be compatible with the character of the neighborhood and any modifications thereto shall also comply with such character.

(d)

No long-term rental of guestrooms, greater than seven (7) days, shall be allowed.

(e)

Check-in and check-out time shall be between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Cemeteries shall comply with the following requirements:

(a)

The site proposed for a cemetery shall not interfere with the development of a system of collector or larger streets in the vicinity of such site. In addition such site shall have direct access to a publicly dedicated street.

(b)

Any new cemetery shall be located on a site containing not less than ten (10) acres.

(c)

All structures shall be set back no less than 35 feet from any property line or street right-of-way line.

(d)

All graves or burial lots shall be set back not less than 35 feet from any property line or minor street right-of-way lines, and not less than 50 feet from any collector, arterial, expressway, or freeway right-of-way line.

(e)

The entire cemetery property shall be landscaped and maintained.

750.1 Intent. Regulations for home occupations are intended to provide categories of use such that permitted home occupations can be better matched to the character of the zoning district in which they are allowed. The term home occupation is understood to mean all categories of home occupations, including home offices and residential businesses.

(a)

Home occupations shall be subject to the conditions set forth below. In districts where a home occupation requires Conditional Use approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals, the applicant shall bear the burden of providing conclusive evidence to the City that these conditions have been met.

(b)

The applicant shall submit a written description of the proposed home occupation demonstrating that it will comply with each of the conditions applicable for the specific type of occupation.

(c)

The business must be owned by the owner of the property on which the home occupation is located, or the business owner must have written approval of the owner of the property if the applicant is a tenant.

750.2 Home office. A home office is a business, profession, or office use conducted entirely within a dwelling which is carried on by an occupant thereof and which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential dwelling purposes, and which fully complies with the following standards:

(a)

Home offices may include, but are not limited to, routine office, clerical, or bookkeeping procedures that can be conducted within a residence. A home office may also be maintained for a business conducted away from the home, as long as the home office complies with all other requirements of this section.

(b)

Home offices shall not include any business which involves the sale, manufacture, or repair of merchandise on the premises, or the storage of inventory, raw materials, or other materials to be used in the business.

(c)

Home offices shall not include the repair and/or maintenance of motor vehicles, large scale manufacturing or any use which may endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the neighborhood.

(d)

No use that creates noise, dust, vibration, odor, smoke, glare, or electrical interference that would be detectable beyond the dwelling unit is permitted.

(e)

Home offices shall not include any business requiring access by the public, including but not limited to customers and clients.

(f)

Home offices shall be limited to no more than 25 percent of the total heated floor area of the residence or five hundred (500) square feet, whichever is smaller. The proposed size of the home office shall be specified at the time of application.

(g)

Any additions or alterations to the residence which will be used for the home business must be of an architectural style in keeping with the surrounding residential development.

(h)

No outside storage, display, or sign is permitted in conjunction with the business, nor shall there be any exterior evidence of a business being conducted on the premises.

(i)

No one other than family members who reside on the premises may be employed in the business.

(j)

One business vehicle used exclusively by the resident is permitted. The vehicle shall be no larger in size than a pick-up truck, panel truck or van and is limited in size to one-ton carrying capacity.

(k)

Pickups and deliveries to the site related to the business shall be restricted to vehicles having no more than two axles and shall be restricted to no more than two pickups or deliveries per day.

750.3 Residential business. Residential businesses are small offices, or small-scale retail or service businesses which are clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential dwelling purposes, and which fully comply with the following standards:

(a)

Residential businesses may include, but are not limited to, beauty shops, barber shops, professional offices, and minor repair shops.

(b)

Residential businesses shall not include the repair and/or maintenance of motor vehicles, large-scale manufacturing, or any use which will create noise, noxious odors, or any hazard that may endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the neighborhood.

(c)

The residential business shall not involve group instruction such as class or schools of people on the premises.

(d)

The business or profession must be conducted entirely within the dwelling.

(e)

The dwelling must be the bona fide residence of the principal practitioner at the time of the application and, if approved, the residential business shall be valid only as long as the principal practitioner resides in the dwelling, is conducting business, and has a current business certificate.

(f)

Residential businesses shall be limited to no more than thirty-five (35) percent of the total heated floor area of the residence or seven hundred (700) square feet, whichever is smaller. The proposed size of the residential business shall be specified at the time of application.

(g)

Any additions or alterations to the residence that will be used for the residential business must be of an architectural style in keeping with the surrounding residential and agricultural development.

(h)

The portion of the residence in which the business is conducted shall be completely enclosed in such a manner that the business is not visible from the surrounding property.

(i)

The Board of Zoning Appeals may place any reasonable conditions on the application deemed necessary to insure the orderly operation of the proposed business and compatibility with the surrounding properties.

(j)

Property on which the residential business is proposed must have frontage on a public road.

(k)

Parking for customers/clients must be provided on site as stipulated in Section 510 of this Ordinance. The location of the parking shall be approved by the Chief Codes Official in districts where the use is permitted and by the Board of Zoning Appeals in those districts where the use is a conditional use.

(l)

Days and hours of operation requiring access by the public, customers, and/or clients shall be Monday through Saturday, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

(m)

Signs for a residential business are permitted only if consistent with the standards set forth in Section 930(o).

(n)

The principal practitioner shall be permitted to park one commercial vehicle in the approved parking area. The commercial vehicle is limited to a passenger car, van or light truck of up to one-ton carrying capacity.

Manufactured home parks and manufactured homes within such parks are subject to the requirements of this section.

760.1 Permit requirements.

(a)

Park construction permit required. In any district where manufactured home parks are permitted, the applicant shall submit to the Chief Codes Official a site plan of the park subject to the conditions of this section. No person shall proceed with the improvement of a manufactured housing park or trailer park until an application for the construction of such park has been reviewed by the Chief Codes Official, and, upon approval of the application and site plan, a permit to construct the proposed park, hereinafter referred to as the park construction permit, has been issued. The application for a permit to construct a manufactured housing park shall include the following:

(1)

The name and address of the applicant.

(2)

The location and legal description of the property upon which the park is proposed to be placed.

(3)

A complete plan of the proposed park at a scale of not more than 100 feet to one (1) inch and showing the shape, area, and size of the site; street and driveway layout, including distance notations; the location and grouping of manufactured housing lot stands and accessory buildings; the placement and sizes of utilities; all manufactured housing lot boundaries and other data pertinent to the requirements of this Ordinance.

(4)

Plans and specifications of all buildings, improvements, and facilities constructed, or to be constructed, within the manufactured housing park.

(5)

Such further information as may be requested by the Chief Codes Official to facilitate the determination of whether the proposed park will comply with all legal requirements. The application and all accompanying plans and specifications shall be filed in triplicate. No park construction permit shall be issued except in accordance with this Ordinance.

(b)

Permit expiration. If no substantial construction progress has been made within six (6) months of the date of the issuance of the park construction permit, the permit becomes invalid and must be renewed. For the purpose of this section, "substantial construction" includes final site grading and the installation of utilities and is considered to be approximately forty percent (40%) of total site improvements.

(c)

Building permit required. No person shall park a manufactured home on an individual lot until a building permit therefore has been issued by the Chief Codes Official. No manufactured housing building permit shall be issued except in accordance with this Ordinance.

(d)

Certificate of occupancy required. A Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Chief Codes Official is required in advance of the use or occupancy of manufactured homes on manufactured home lots in approved manufactured home parks. No Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued unless the lot or building or structure complies with all the provisions of this Ordinance. A record of all Certificates of Occupancy shall be kept on file in the office of the Chief Codes Official and a copy shall be furnished, on request, to any person having a propriety or tenancy interest in the building or land involved.

760.2 General standards. Manufactured home parks must meet the following standards:

(a)

Compliance with other laws. No manufactured home shall be admitted to any park unless it can be demonstrated that it meets the requirements of any additional, pertinent laws and regulations of the city.

(b)

Minimum rental period. No space shall be rented for residential use of a manufactured home in any such park except for periods of thirty (30) days or more.

(c)

Initial occupancy of park. The minimum number of spaces completed and ready for occupancy before the first occupancy is permitted shall be ten (10) spaces.

(d)

Site requirements. The park shall be located on a well-drained site properly graded to insure drainage and freedom from stagnant pools of water. The site shall not be exposed to objectionable smoke, noise, odors, the possibility of insect or rodent infestation or other adverse influences.

(e)

Recreational space. Not less than eight (8) percent of the gross site area of the park shall be set aside for recreational use.

(f)

Water Supply. An adequate supply of pure, potable water for drinking and domestic purposes shall be supplied by pipes to all buildings and manufactured housing lots within the park. Each manufactured housing stand shall be provided with an approved cold water connection and a tap (hydrant), constructed in accordance with the plumbing standards adopted by the City of Cordele.

(g)

Sanitation. Each park shall provide at a minimum the following sanitation facilities and services:

(1)

Refuse collection station. One refuse collection station shall be provided for each twenty (20) families or fraction thereof, not more than two hundred (200) feet from any home served, and shall be conveniently located for collection. If individual refuse containers are used on the manufactured home site, these containers must be submerged in the ground with only the top portion extending above the ground level. In lieu of a submerged unit, stands may be provided to hold the cans and to screen them from conspicuous view.

(2)

Environmental control. The area around and underneath each manufactured home shall be kept clean and free from collections of refuse, rubbish, glass bottles, or other unsightly material.

(3)

Sewage disposal. Each manufactured housing stand shall be provided with a sanitary sewer of at least 4 inches in diameter, which shall be connected to receive all waste from the manufactured home. The sewer in each manufactured housing stand shall be connected to discharge the waste into a sewer system that meets the health requirements of the State of Georgia and the City of Cordele.

(4)

Sewage drain connections. Manufactured housing drain connections shall be of approved semi-rigid and non-collapsible hose, having smooth interior surfaces and no less than 3 inches outside diameter, nor less in size than the manufactured housing outlet. Drain connections shall be equipped with a standard screw- or clamp-type fitting. While a manufactured housing stand is unoccupied or the drain is not used, the sewer opening shall be closed with an approved closure or cap.

(h)

Fire protection. Every manufactured housing park shall have an adequate fire protection system with water pressure and fire hydrants of such type, size, number, and location as to satisfy applicable regulations of the Cordele Fire Department currently in force, provided further that no open fires or burning of trash, leaves, or other refuse shall be permitted within the boundaries of any manufactured housing park without a permit from the Cordle Fire Department.

760.3 Park service facilities. Convenience establishments of a commercial nature, including stores, laundry and dry cleaning establishments, and pick-up laundry and dry cleaning agencies, and beauty shops and barber shops may be permitted in manufactured home parks provided that such establishments and the parking areas primarily related to their operations meet the following requirements:

(a)

They shall not occupy more than ten percent (10%) of the area of the park.

(b)

They shall be subordinate to the residential use and character of the park.

(c)

They shall be located, designed, and intended to serve frequent trade or service needs of persons residing in the park.

(d)

They shall present no visible evidence of their commercial character from any portion of any residential district outside the park.

760.4 Buffers and landscaping.

(a)

Buffers. A buffer strip at least twenty (20) feet wide shall be located adjacent to each exterior property line of the manufactured home park. Such buffer strip shall not be included within any individual manufactured home lot. This buffer strip shall be increased to a width of fifty (50) feet when the park is located adjacent to a property that is improved with a permanent residential dwelling or a property zoned for single family residences. This strip must be densely planted with fast growing evergreen shrubs or trees that grow at least eight (8) feet high.

(b)

Landscaping. Each manufactured home park shall be landscaped with shade trees and exterior screen planting of at least twenty-five (25) trees per acre or fifty (50) plants per acre.

760.5 Streets. Manufactured home parks shall comply with the following street standards:

(a)

Internal streets.

(1)

The system of streets in manufactured home parks shall extend continuously from the existing improved street system providing access to the site. This system shall provide suitable access to all manufactured home spaces and other important facilities on the property, adequate connections to existing or future streets at the boundaries of the property, and convenient circulation for vehicles.

(2)

All public or private streets located within manufactured home parks shall be designed and constructed to the same standards as required by the City of Cordele for streets in other residential developments.

(3)

All interior streets shall be shown by name, width of easement, and type of surfacing on the development plan or plat of each manufactured housing park; provided that street pavement widths for manufactured housing parks shall be governed by Sections 750.5(b) and 750.5(c) below.

(b)

Ingress and egress streets. The streets connecting a manufactured housing park with and serving as ingress and egress systems to adjoining thoroughfares, shall be shown by width of easement and type of surfacing on the development plan or plat of each park; provided that the pavement width of such streets will be a minimum of 20 feet for streets providing two-way traffic or 14 feet for one-way traffic, and provided further that there shall be at least two (2) such ingress and egress streets connecting any manufactured housing park with adjoining public streets.

760.6 Off-street parking. Off street parking in manufactured home parks shall be as required in section 510 of this Ordinance. Usually one car space should be located on each lot and the remainder located in adjacent parking bays.

760.7 Area regulations for manufactured home parks. The following area regulations apply to manufactured home parks:

(a)

Minimum lot area per park - 5 acres

(b)

Maximum acreage per park - 25 acres

(c)

Minimum lot width for portion of lot used for park entrance and exit - 50 ft.

(d)

Setbacks - No manufactured home shall be located less than 20 feet from any road or street within the park, nor less than 40 feet from the right-of-way line of any street adjacent to the park. In no case shall any manufactured home be located in a right-of-way.

760.8 Area regulations for individual manufactured home spaces or stands within manufactured home parks.

(a)

Minimum space size: 4,000 sq.ft.

(b)

Minimum frontage: 40 ft. (measured at front property line)

(c)

Minimum width: 50 ft. (measured at the front building line)

(d)

Minimum side yard: 10 ft.

(e)

Minimum front yard: 25ft. for other streets.

(f)

Minimum rear yard: 25 ft.

760.9 Non-conforming manufactured housing parks. No expansion or enlargement shall be made to a non-conforming manufactured housing park except in accordance with the following requirements:

(1)

Each new manufactured housing space shall meet or exceed the minimum dimensional standards for lots and yards as prescribed by Section 750.8 above.

In any district where recreational vehicle parks are permitted, the applicant must submit a site plan for approval by the Chief Codes Official complying with the following standards:

(a)

Access to public streets. No recreational vehicle park shall be located except with direct access to a county state, or federal highway, with a minimum lot width of not less than 50 feet for portion used for entrance and exit. No entrance or exit shall be through a residential district, or shall require movement of traffic from the park through a residential district.

(b)

Minimum lot size. The minimum lot area per recreational vehicle park shall be 3 acres, with a maximum density of 10 spaces per acre and with all sanitary facilities provided.

(c)

Set backs for vehicle spaces. No space shall be so located that any part intended for occupancy for sleeping purposes shall be within 100 feet of the right-of-way line of any freeway, arterial or major collector street, or within 50 feet of the right-of-way of any minor collector or local street.

(d)

Park facilities. Management headquarters, recreational facilities, toilets, showers, laundry facilities, and other uses and structures customarily incidental to operation of a trailer park are permitted as accessory uses in any district in which trailer parks are allowed, provided:

(1)

Such establishments and the parking area related to their operations shall not occupy more than ten percent (10%) of the park.

(2)

Such establishments shall be restricted in their use to occupants of the park.

(3)

Such establishments shall meet the screening requirements set forth in section 550 of this Ordinance and shall present no visible evidence of their commercial character which would attract customers other than the occupants of the park.

(e)

Health Department Certificate Required. In addition to meeting the above requirements, the recreational vehicle park site plan shall be accompanied by a certificate of approval of the Crisp County Health Department.

(f)

Rental Time Limit. Spaces in recreational vehicle parks may be rented and used by recreational vehicles provided that they meet any additional laws and ordinances of the City Commission and shall be rented by the day or week only; an occupant of such space shall remain in the same recreational vehicle park for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.

In any district where adult entertainment establishments are permitted, the applicant must comply with the following conditions:

(a)

No adult entertainment establishment, as defined by this Section, shall be located within five hundred (500) feet of any residential district or any property containing a school, public playground, church, hospital, public library, day care center, personal care home, or any parcel of land upon which an establishment is licensed to sell any form of alcoholic beverages. The distance should be measured from the nearest property lien of the adult entertainment property.

(Ord. No. 0-04-25, § 6, 9-7-04)