Maximum residential density: See development types below.

Lot minimums and required yard setbacks, height limitations and related requirements are set forth in Article 23.

(Ord. No. 039-19, 10-1-19; Ord. No. 015-20, 3-3-20)

All lots in RC Districts must meet the following infrastructure requirements:

Water: Well or public water system.

Roads: Private—ingress/egress/utility easements shall comply with standards set forth in section 246.2.3., #2 Access.

Public—Local, collector, arterial.

(Ord. 010-18, 5-8-18; Ord. No. 024-19, 6-18-19)

The following uses are allowed in any RC district, subject to the further provisions of this ordinance:

1.

Single-family dwelling.

2.

Residential homestead lot 1.6 and 2.0 provided the following requirements are met:

(a)

The homestead site is for a family member of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree only. An affidavit shall accompany each zoning verification for homestead site approval to verify the relationship. Homestead affidavit forms may be obtained at the community development department.

(b)

The residential homestead lot is at least one and six-tenths acres when served with public-supplied water, meeting the RHL 1.6 minimum dimensional requirements; or at least two acres when served with neither public-supplied water or sewer service, meeting the RHL 2.0 minimum dimensional requirements.

(c)

The maximum number of homestead lots permitted is three over a three-year period, to include the remaining acreage for the residence on the original tract (if applicable) as one of the three permitted homestead lots. In addition, one of the three homestead lots may be established for a guesthouse (The definition of a guest house is referenced under article 3, section 31, listing of definitions of the Coweta County Zoning and Development Ordinance).

3.

Subdivision developments; provided the following standards and requirements are met:

(a)

The subdivision development is entirely consistent with the points designation for the parcel(s) shown on the adopted land development guidance map and the points threshold for the development type in Section 73 of this Article.

(b)

All subdivisions, including minor subdivisions, shall comply with the requirements in this Article, as well as Article 23 Dimensional Requirements and Article 24 Development Regulations, as amended, and receive permit approval from the community development department.

(c)

Permitted single-family subdivisions shall only include the following development types, as further detailed in Section 73 of this Article:

CSD - Conservation Subdivision

EL-2 - Estate Lot (two acre)

EL-A - Estate Lot with Averaging

EL-5 - Estate Lot (five acre)

(d)

The development type shall be identified on the preliminary and final plats.

4.

Unless authorized through the exception set forth in subsection 12., below, non-commercial agricultural uses, including poultry, horses and livestock raising, as an accessory use to a single-family dwelling for the principal benefit of the occupants thereof. Non-commercial agricultural uses, at a minimum, shall meet the following:

(a)

All related accessory buildings, pens or corrals, for housing or confining animals, or for storing feed or equipment, or for similar purposes shall be located at least 100 feet from all property lines and 200 feet from any existing off-site residential dwelling.

(b)

The lot/parcel shall be of adequate size to accommodate the 200-foot setback as specified in [subsection] 2(a).

(c)

The grazing area shall be maintained in viable grasses and herbages to reduce erosion and prevent unsanitary conditions. The grazing area is the area of the parcel/lot wherein livestock are confined for the purpose of feeding on growing grasses and herbages.

(d)

The lot/parcel shall comply with any local, state, federal, or other laws regarding livestock.

5.

Commercial forest, agriculture, dairy and poultry and livestock raising when located on at least 20 acres of land, provided that buildings, pens or corrals used for housing fowl or animals, storing grain, feed, or equipment, or for similar purposes shall not be located within 200 feet of any property line.

6.

Riding stables and academies, when located on at least ten acres of land, provided that any structure, pen or corral housing animals, but not including grazing areas, shall be no closer than 200 feet to any property line.

7.

Temporary portable sawmills for cutting timber on the subject property, provided that any machine operations shall not be closer than 200 feet to any property line.

8.

Customary accessory buildings and uses.

9.

Home occupations.

10.

Hunting club or fishing clubs, operated by a private club, for seasonal hunting and fishing and primitive camping, exclusively provided for members and guests, where seasonal membership fees are collected solely for the purpose of making the lease payments for the privilege of hunting or fishing on leased property. Hunting club activities shall not include indoor or outdoor shooting/gun ranges or archery ranges with the exception of a temporary sighting range.

Landowner hunting or fishing on their personal property, where no club is involved, may include friends and family members. (Also allows for the temporary sighting range.)

11.

Guest houses, provided the following standards and regulations are met:

a.

Guest houses are accessory buildings and shall be limited to one such structure per lot and shall not include manufactured, mobile, or modular structures. Guest houses shall meet the yard setbacks of the principal structure.

b.

The guest house and principal dwelling shall be located on the same lot, which shall be a minimum of ten acres in size.

c.

The principal dwelling must exist on-site and be occupied.

d.

The guest house shall not exceed 1,000 square feet, nor be less than 500 square feet.

e.

The exterior materials on the guest house shall mirror the exterior materials on the principal dwelling; however, the building official may allow the use of other materials, provided they are equal to or superior to the principal dwelling.

f.

The guest house shall comply with the building height and yard regulations of the zoning district. Additionally, the guest house must be constructed closer to the principal dwelling than the guest house is to any principal dwelling on any neighboring property.

g.

The guest house is exclusively for housing members of the family and their non-paying guests. Rental of such dwelling is strictly prohibited.

h.

Future subdivision of the property which would place the guest house on a separate lot from the principal dwelling shall require the guest house to be brought into compliance with the minimum square footage requirements for a principal dwelling in the zoning district and all other requirements of article 23, Dimensional Standards.

i.

Owner of the property shall sign a deed of use restriction regulating the construction and use of the guest house. Said deed restriction shall be properly recorded in the official records of Coweta County, Georgia. A copy shall be provided to the community development department upon completion.

12.

Backyard chicken practices which cannot meet the setbacks noted above for noncommercial agricultural poultry keeping, may still be allowed when in compliance with the following:

(a)

Non-commercial use only. Chickens, chicken products, and/or by-products shall not be sold on the property.

(b)

The minimum lot size for the keeping of backyard chickens shall be one-half acre.

(c)

No more than ten chickens are permitted on a lot.

(d)

Chicken coops, runs, chicken houses and/or roosting structures shall not require a building permit unless meeting the requirements for permit under chapter 14.

(e)

A covered enclosure shall be provided for roosting and protection. Chicken coops, runs, chicken houses, and/or roosting structures shall be situated in the rear yard. At all times, chickens must be kept within a fenced or enclosed area and no person shall fail to prevent his or her chickens from straying from the property of the owner or keeper, or going upon the property of any other person, or upon any public rights-of-way. All coops, runs, houses and/or roosting structures shall be required to adhere to the minimum building setback standards that are in effect for the zoning district where the structure is to be built. However, in no event shall any such structure encroach within 30 feet from the rear and side property lines and shall be at minimum 50 feet from residential structures on adjacent properties.

(f)

The area shall be kept in a neat and sanitary condition and must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent offensive odors, attraction of flies and/or vermin, the creation of an environment otherwise injurious to the public health and safety, or that would obstruct the free use of property so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by members of the neighborhood or other persons. The provision must be made for the storage and removal of hen droppings and any dead birds. All stored droppings used for composting shall be fully covered or placed in an enclosure. Such enclosures must be setback a minimum of 30 feet from all property lines and 50 feet from residential structures on adjacent properties. All other droppings not used for composting or fertilizing shall be removed. In addition, the coop, enclosure, and surrounding area must be kept free from trash and accumulated droppings. Dead chickens must be disposed of in a sanitary manner.

(g)

Roosters and any other crowing fowl shall be limited to one per parcel.

(h)

Feed and feed supplements shall be kept in fully enclosed, rodent-proof containers.

(i)

No permission or allowance authorized by this section shall supersede applicable private covenants.

(j)

Homeowners are encouraged to contact the University of Georgia's Coweta County Extension Office for assistance with coop design and backyard chicken education resources.

(Ord. No. 003-15, 1-22-15; Ord. No. 010-15, 3-17-15; Ord. No. 039-19, 10-1-19; Ord. No. 015-20, 3-3-20; Ord. No. 021-25, 7-1-25)

A land development guidance system (LDGS) is hereby established to direct subdivision developments to allowable locations within the RC - rural conservation district. This system shall be utilized in conjunction with the Coweta County Land Development Guidance System Map, as may be amended periodically.

(1)

Any proposed development tract must be entirely within the required points area on the land development guidance map in order to qualify for that development type under this ordinance. The required points threshold for each development type is listed below; and any development type with a lesser points value may also be utilized for a given parcel.

a.

CSD - Conservation subdivision shall be permitted with at least six points on the LDGS map.

b.

EL-2 - Estate lot (two acre) shall be permitted with at least six points on the LDGS map.

c.

EL-A - Estate lot with averaging shall be permitted in any points area on the LDGS map.

d.

EL-5 - Estate lot (five acre) shall be permitted in any points area on the LDGS map.

(2)

Development types not consistent with the points thresholds established above shall not be considered as a permitted use - unless granted approval by the board of commissioners. Any application to allow an exception to the points thresholds established above as they apply to a particular tract of land shall be handled in the same manner as prescribed for map amendments in Article 29 of this appendix, including, but not limited to, the requirement for application, survey, conceptual site plan, notifications, public hearing, and relevant standards of review.

(Ord. No. 039-19, 10-1-19; Ord. No. 015-20, 3-3-20)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 015-20, adopted March 3, 2020, changed the title of App. A, § 73 from "Administratively approved permitted single-family subdivision districts" to read as herein set out.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 015-20, adopted March 3, 2020, repealed App. A, § 73.1, which pertained to ECP—Equestrian community plan and derived from Ord. No. 011-16, adopted April 12, 2016; and Ord. No. 010-18, adopted May 8, 2018.

This single-family residential development type provides for a clustered lot design that maximizes conservation of open space, protection of water quality, reduction of impervious surface, and natural drainage to manage stormwater runoff.

(1)

Density, and dimensional requirements.

a.

The maximum residential density shall be 0.625 units per acre. Density calculations shall be performed by multiplying the net development acreage, as defined in this ordinance, by the maximum allowable density of 0.625, and rounding down to the nearest whole number. This density cap shall be the maximum number of residential units allowed, provided that all other requirements of this ordinance are met, including, but not limited to, the standards contained in Article 23 and Article 24.

b.

Development area credit for lakes: Property dedicated to newly constructed lakes may be counted towards the total calculation for developable density if the body of water meets the standards set forth in the Georgia Environmental Protection Division Regulations to allow for it to be used for potable water within the county or elsewhere.

(2)

Infrastructure requirements.

a.

Water: Public water system.

b.

Wastewater: Individual septic systems.

c.

Roads:

1.

Private: Ingress/egress/utility easements shall comply with the standards set forth in Section 246.2.3(2) Access.

2.

Public: Local, collector, or arterial.

(3)

Design and other requirements.

a.

Rural design open space (RDOS) shall be required along all existing public roadways. Appeals to the requirements of the rural design open space may be made in accordance with Article 24, Section 240.6(2).

1.

The average depth of the RDOS shall be 150 feet, with no area measuring less than 125 feet in depth from the existing right-of-way to the boundary of a lot. No lots shall encroach into the rural design open space.

2.

The rural design open space shall be maintained in its natural, pre-developed state to the maximum extent practical. Additional features related to the aesthetics of the rural design open space, including, but not limited to, specific styles of fencing, berms, and evergreen plantings may be required by the community development director.

3.

Subdivision entrance roads shall have a curvilinear alignment meeting the horizontal and vertical sight distance requirements specified in the manual on uniform traffic control devices (MUTCD). Curvilinear entrance designs may incorporate a reverse curve with a centerline horizontal geometry relaxed from the typical county street geometry requirements to promote the preservation of rural vistas from the existing roadway. The combination of horizontal and vertical geometry may be taken into account to create the desired effects.

4.

Entrance landscaping, with a minimum width of 25 feet and extending the length of the required Rural Design Open Space, shall be required along both sides of entrance road(s) to the development and shall contain landscaping meeting the Street Planting requirements of Article 26, Section 261 Quality eevelopment corridor overlay district, including, but not limited to, spacing requirements, types of plant materials, and sizes.

5.

Subdivision entrance signs may be placed within the rural design open space in accordance with the requirements of the Coweta County Code of Ordinances, chapter 58 Signs.

6.

The rural design open space shall be counted toward the required open space (35 percent of the development tract), as required in Article 23. Dimensional requirements.

b.

Greenway donations for any portion of the development tract identified on the Greenway Master Plan shall be processed alongside the final plat; and these donations shall be counted toward the minimum required open space, as well as the depth of the rural design open space.

(Ord. No. 035-08, 11-18-08; Ord. No. 011-16, 4-12-16; Ord. 010-18, 5-8-18; Ord. No. 015-20, 3-3-20)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 015-20, adopted March 3, 2020, changed the title of App. A, § 73.2 from "RCSD—Rural conservation subdivision" to read as herein set out.

This single-family residential development type provides for a conventional lot layout, with a minimum lot size of 2 acres.

(1)

Density, and dimensional requirements.

a.

The minimum lot size shall be two acres, which is equivalent to a maximum density of 0.5 units per acre, provided that all other requirements of this Article are met, including, but not limited to, the standards contained in Article 23 and Article 24.

(2)

Infrastructure requirements.

a.

Water: Public water system or private wells.

b.

Wastewater: Individual septic systems.

c.

Roads:

1.

Private: Ingress/egress/utility easements shall comply with the standards set forth in Section 246.2.3(2) Access.

2.

Public: Local, collector, or arterial.

(3)

Design and other requirements.

a.

This development type may qualify for a streamlined platting process, pursuant to Article 24, Section 244.1.4.

b.

All other requirements of this ordinance, including, but not limited to, those contained in Article 23 and Article 24 shall be met.

(Ord. No. 015-20, 3-3-20)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 015-20, adopted March 3, 2020, repealed App. A, § 73.3, and enacted a new § 73.3 as set out herein. The former § 73.3 pertained to RI-A Single-family residential infill district. See the Code Comparative Table for complete derivation.

This single-family residential development type provides for a conventional lot layout, with varying lot sizes and substantial front setbacks from existing streets.

(1)

Density, and dimensional requirements.

a.

The average lot size within the development must be equal to or greater than seven and one-half acres, with no lot being less than three acres.

b.

The minimum tract size for this development type shall be 20 acres.

c.

Once the development obtains final plat approval, no additional subdivision of the lots contained therein shall be permitted.

d.

The minimum front setback shall be 300 feet as measured from the right-of-way line OR as stated in Article 23, Note (O), whichever is greater. This additional setback requirement is intended to provide a rural aesthetic. Where the development review committee finds that, due to special circumstances of a particular lot, extraordinary and unnecessary hardships will result from strict compliance with the required 300 feet setback, the development review committee may reduce the setback requirement up to a maximum of 50 percent. However, in no case, shall the setback be less than the requirements of Article 23, Note (O) - unless a variance is approved through the variance procedures contained in Article 28.

e.

All other requirements of this ordinance must be met, including, but not limited to, the additional standards contained in Article 23 and Article 24.

(2)

Infrastructure requirements.

a.

Water: Public water system or private wells.

b.

Wastewater: Individual septic systems.

c.

Roads:

1.

Private: Ingress/egress/utility easements shall comply with the standards set forth in Section 246.2.3(2) Access - except as noted below in Subsection 3b.

2.

Public: Local, collector, or arterial.

(3)

Design and other requirements.

a.

This development type may qualify for a streamlined platting process, pursuant to Article 24, Section 244.1.4.

b.

The EL-A development type shall qualify for multiple drive easements and may serve up to six lots with an easement, provided all other provisions of Article 24, Section 246.2.3(2) are met. For any private drive easement serving four or more lots, a private street name shall be approved through the normal street naming process.

c.

This development type shall be prohibited from further subdivision of the lots. Future homestead lot divisions shall also be prohibited. The instrument used to prohibit further divisions, which must be approved by the county's legal counsel, shall be a method which will uphold the integrity of the development type, as well as documenting the provision in such a way as to be apparent to future purchasers.

d.

All other requirements of this ordinance, including, but not limited to, those contained in Article 23 and Article 24 shall be met.

(Ord. No. 015-20, 3-3-20)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 015-20, adopted March 3, 2020, repealed App. A, § 73.4, and enacted a new § 73.4 as set out herein. The former § 73.4 pertained to RE—Rural estate subdivision and derived from Ord. 010-18, adopted May 8, 2018.

This single-family residential development type provides for a conventional lot layout, with a minimum lot size of five acres. Additionally, the front setbacks within this development type shall be varied to create a rural aesthetic with staggered house locations.

(1)

Density, and dimensional requirements.

a.

The minimum lot size shall be five acres, which is equivalent to a maximum density of 0.2 units per acre, provided that all other requirements of this ordinance are met, including, but not limited to, the standards contained in Article 23 and Article 24.

b.

There shall be a varied front setback from the existing right-of-way of no less than 30 percent of the average depth of each lot and which shall further be established by the front setback delineation on the approved subdivision plat. This additional setback requirement is intended to provide a rural aesthetic. Where the development review committee finds that, due to special circumstances of a particular lot, extraordinary and unnecessary hardships will result from strict compliance with the required 30 percent setback, the development review committee may reduce the setback requirement up to a maximum of 50 percent. However, in no case, shall the setback be less than the requirements of Article 23, Note (O) - unless a variance is approved through the variance procedures contained in Article 28.

c.

All other requirements of this ordinance must be met, including, but not limited to, the additional standards contained in Article 23 and Article 24.

(2)

Infrastructure requirements.

a.

Water: Public water system or private wells.

b.

Wastewater: Individual septic systems.

c.

Roads:

1.

Private: Ingress/egress/utility easements shall comply with the standards set forth in Section 246.2.3(2) Access - except as noted below in Subsection 3b.

2.

Public: Local, collector, or arterial.

(3)

Design requirements.

a.

This development type may qualify for a streamlined platting process, pursuant to Article 24, Section 244.1.4.

b.

The EL-5 development type shall qualify for multiple drive easements, provided all other provisions of Article 24, Section 246.2.3(2) are met.

c.

All other requirements of this ordinance, including, but not limited to, those contained in Article 23 and Article 24 shall be met.

(Ord. No. 015-20, 3-3-20)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 015-20, adopted March 3, 2020, repealed App. A, § 74, which pertained to exemptions. See Code Comparative Table for complete derivation.

The following conditional uses may be permitted, subject to approval of a conditional use permit by the Board of Commissioners, after receiving the recommendation of the Board of Zoning Appeals as provided in Article 28.

1.

Privately operated schools, day nurseries, preschools, and kindergartens.

2.

Charitable or philanthropic institutions with 501c3 status, excluding the following:

a.

Transitional housing shelters;

b.

Nursing homes;

c.

Assisted living facilities.

3.

Public and private golf and country clubs, and other similar recreational enterprises with the exception of those amenity areas within a residential neighborhood when located on less than five acres or is under the operation of an HOA.

Hunting and fishing clubs open for membership to the general public.

Hunting clubs that also include gun or shooting ranges or archery ranges.

4.

Clubs, private and public, including golf and country clubs, fishing and hunting clubs and similar enterprises, when located on at least five acres.

5.

Athletic fields or stadiums and other recreational areas for public use, including golf driving rangers, swimming pools, fishing lakes and similar recreational uses, when located at least 200 feet from any property line.

6.

Commercial kennels and the raising or boarding or other small animals, provided that no portion of a building, structure, outdoor run or pen used to house or exercise such animals shall be closer than 200 feet to any property line.

7.

Churches or other places of worship.

8.

Cemeteries.

9.

Large animal clinics, provided that buildings, pens, or corrals used for housing animals, storing grain, feed or equipment, or for similar purposes shall not be closer than 200 feet to any property line, and when located on at least ten acres.

10.

Neighborhood agribusiness.

a.

Neighborhood agribusinesses must meet, at a minimum, all of the following requirements:

i.

Property must be five acres or larger;

ii.

All agribusiness buildings must be set back a minimum of 100 feet from any property line and a minimum of 200 feet from any off-site dwelling;

iii.

Large animal slaughter including, but not limited to, pigs, cows, and goats, shall be prohibited; and

iv.

Applicant must provide a completed neighborhood agribusiness conditional use application for review, along with applicable fees and supporting documents requested.

b.

During the conditional use permit review, the intensity of the proposed use, the potential impact on the surrounding neighborhood, and the applicability of agricultural aesthetics on the rural character shall be considered. This consideration shall, in turn, govern the applicability of the following development standards:

i.

Paved drives;

ii.

Paved parking areas;

iii.

Building design criteria; and

iv.

Landscaping requirements.

Unless otherwise noted as a requirement of the conditional use permit, the above standards shall be waived.

(Ord. No. 013-08, 3-13-08; Ord. No. 045-09, 12-15-09; Ord. No. 022-10, 7-20-10; Ord. No. 003-15, 1-22-15; Ord. No. 020-20, 5-19-20)

Required parking, loading and other supplemental regulations applicable to this district are set forth in article 24, development regulations.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 015-20, adopted March 3, 2020, repealed App. A, § 77, which pertained to miscellaneous provisions. See Code Comparative Table for complete derivation.