The requirements and regulations set forth in this Ordinance shall be subject to the following exceptions and modifications:

Section 7.1.1 Existing Lots of Record: Any lot or parcel of land in any district which was on record in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court of Quitman County at the date of adoption of this Ordinance, or amendment thereof, which does not adjoin undeveloped land (or land which has been subdivided but a building permit has not been issued for the site) under the same ownership may be used as a building site even though such lot or parcel fails to meet the minimum requirements for lot area, lot width, or both. With respect to such lots or parcels, yard and other requirements shall be subject to the following:

1.

Meet applicable setback requirements.

2.

Not to exceed the maximum lot coverage requirements.

3.

A septic tank must be issued before a building permit may be issued.

7.1.2 Front Yard: The front yard requirements of this Ordinance shall not apply on lots where the average depth of existing front yards on developed lots located within 100 feet on each side thereof and within the same block and zoning district is greater or less than the minimum required front yard depth. In such case, the depth of the front yard on such lot shall be not less than the average front yard depth on such developed lots. On through lots, the required front yard shall be provided on each street. Corner lots shall meet the minimum front yard requirements on the sides adjacent to both streets and remaining yards shall be considered side yard requirements.

7.1.3 Side Yard: The minimum width of side yards for schools, libraries, churches, and other public and semi-public buildings in residential districts shall be 20 feet. (For the purpose of side yard regulations, a group of commercial buildings separated by common or party walls shall be considered as one building occupying one lot.)

7.1.4 Fences and Walls: No fence or freestanding wall in a required yard other than a retaining wall shall be more than eight (8) feet in height or be constructed in a public right-of-way unless otherwise specified.

7.1.5 Height Limits: Height limitations do not apply to the following: chimneys, church steeples, flag poles, grain elevators, distribution lines, towers, poles, radio and television antennas, water towers and similar structures.

On a corner lot in any zoning district, except the C-1 General Commercial District, no sign fence, wall, hedge, planting, or other visual obstruction shall be erected, placed, planted, or allowed to grow in such a manner as materially to impede vision between a height of two and a half (2½) and ten (10) feet above the centerline grades of the intersecting streets in the area bounded by the street lines of such corner lots and a line joining points along said street lines 50 feet from the point of the intersection.

7.3.1 Location: All cemeteries hereafter established shall have direct access to major thoroughfares so designed to minimize traffic congestion.

7.3.2 Size: Any new cemetery shall be located on a site containing not less than 10 acres. Structure setback shall conform to the district regulations in which the site is located. All burial lots shall be set back not less than 25 feet from any lot line.

The following regulations shall apply to all gasoline service stations:

1.

There shall be a building setback from all street right-of-way lines a distance of not less than 50 feet. Other yard setbacks shall conform to the zone in which the station is located.

2.

Gasoline pump islands shall not be located closer than 15 feet to any street right-of-way line; however, when pump islands are constructed perpendicular to the pavement edge, the pump island shall be located not less than 30 feet from the right-of-way line.

7.5.1 Location: No operation shall be located nearer than 300 feet from any established residential district or residential use.

7.5.2 Screening: All outdoor storage of salvage and wrecking operations shall be conducted within an enclosed solid opaque fence or solid opaque wall not less than six (6) feet in height, nor more than ten (10) feet in height (only solid wood or brick fences unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission). No chainlink fences or fences with plastic slats will be allowed. Additional screening shall be required to screen view of stored items. Any fence or wall erected for screening purposes shall be properly painted or otherwise maintained in good condition.

7.5.3 Storage of Materials or Vehicles: The storage of salvaged materials, junk materials, or vehicles shall not exceed six (6) feet in height. Vehicles awaiting repair shall not be stored outside of the business establishment's fenced area more than forty-eight (48) hours.

An accessory building may be erected either attached or unattached to a principal building on the same lot. An attached accessory building shall be considered a part of the principal building and shall comply with the requirements of the district in which it is located. Residential accessory buildings such as garages, greenhouses, or workshops shall not be rented or occupied for commercial purposes.

An unattached accessory building shall be located in the rear yard of the principal building; shall not occupy more than 30% of the area of the rear yard; shall not be located closer than 15 feet to the principal building on an adjoining lot; shall not be located closer than 10 feet to any rear or interior side lot line; and shall not project into any required front or street side yard. On corner lots, the accessory building may not be located closer to the road right-of-way than the minimum setback requirement.

The following regulations shall apply to swimming pools:

1.

Private swimming pools may be established in agricultural and residential zoning districts provided they are to be used solely by the occupants of the property on which they are located and their guests. No part of the swimming pool may extend into any required front yard in an agricultural zone or residential zone. All noncommercial pools within a residential zone shall be enclosed by a fence or wall adjacent to the pool decking not less than four (4) feet in height and must be lockable.

2.

Swimming pools may be established in any zoning district upon approval of the Planning Commission. All commercial pools shall be enclosed by a fence or wall adjacent to the pool decking and not less than six (6) feet in height to prevent uncontrolled access. Commercial swimming pools must be locked when not in use.

The following regulations shall apply to all condominium and townhouse development:

1.

The applicant shall submit a site plan, front elevation, and typical floor plan of the proposed units.

2.

Each unit shall be independently served by separate utilities and services and, if multistoried, shall be served by interior stairways.

3.

Accessory structures shall be located in the rear yard only.

4.

No vehicular entrance or curb cut shall be permitted to the front of any individual townhouse or condominium unit.

5.

A permit for the construction of condominium or townhouse development shall be issued in accordance with the regulations set forth after evidence had been presented in the form of proposed deed covenants and restrictions requiring the maintenance of jointly owned areas.

Customary home occupations in those districts where permitted shall be subject to the following conditions:

1.

A home occupation is subordinated to the use of a dwelling unit for residential purposes. Collectively, all home occupations shall not occupy more than 25% of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit nor shall such use exceed 500 square feet.

2.

A home occupation shall be limited to the gainful occupation or profession conducted by residents of the property and not more than four (4) additional people.

3.

No internal or external alterations shall be made which are not customary to dwellings.

4.

The entrance of the space devoted to a customary home occupation may be from within the building or a private outside entrance.

5.

No display shall be permitted of goods or services which are visible from the outside of the structure except for one (1) nonilluminated sign having an area of not more than two (2) square feet which may be placed flat on a door, wall or window.

6.

Customary home occupations will be limited to goods and services provided to individuals or groups not exceeding, at any given time, five (5) in number.

7.

There shall not be any product stored in plain view or in the yard of the residence and there shall not be any parking of commercial vehicles at said property over 24 hours.

8.

A home occupation shall produce no noise or obnoxious odors, vibrations, glare, fumes, or electrical interference detectable to normal sensory perception outside the structure.

9.

Telephone Service: Home occupation for telephone service only is permitted but shall be restricted to that use only.

Temporary buildings used in conjunction with construction work may only be permitted thirty (30) days prior to construction work. Such temporary building(s) shall be removed no later than fifteen (15) days upon completion of the construction work. Manufactured housing units may be permitted in any zone if a natural disaster has occurred.

No building shall be erected on a lot which does not abut for at least twenty-five (25) feet on a public street.

The purpose of this section is to provide for sound and healthy residential environments sufficient to meet the unique needs of inhabitants living in manufactured housing units, to protect manufactured housing unit groups from encroachment by incompatible land uses, and to encourage the consolidation of manufactured housing unit parks. In districts where manufactured housing unit parks are permitted, the following minimum standards shall apply:

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1.

Survey site plan required shall include the following: name and address of owner, vicinity map, with a minimum scale - 1" = 100', north arrow, numbered lots, lot numbers, size of lots, street layout, trash container(s) location, location of all utilities including sewage, unless originally approved with site plans. No accessory building or additions to manufactured housing units allowed.

2.

Access roads within manufactured housing unit parks shall not be less than twenty (20) feet and shall be paved with a hard surface treatment.

3.

There shall be established and maintained guest parking facilities at a ratio of one (1) space per three (3) manufactured housing unit spaces. If access roads are paved to a width of thirty-two (32) feet, guest off-street parking spaces shall not be required.

4.

Each manufactured housing unit space shall be equipped with a pad ten (10) feet for a single-wide, twenty (20) feet for a double-wide by forty-five (45) feet long of six (6) inches of compacted gravel or other similar material.

5.

Each manufactured housing unit space shall be furnished with connections to water, sewer or septic (tank), and electricity utilities; and all will be approved by the appropriate department/agency.

6.

Manufactured housing units may not be used for residential use within manufactured housing unit park except for the manufactured housing unit park office.

7.

Standards for manufactured housing unit shall also apply to the latest edition of the Council of American Building Officials (CABO) One- and Two-Family Dwellings (Code).

8.

No owner of a manufactured housing park shall allow a manufactured housing unit to locate or relocate within the park without a location placement permit from the county inspector's office and proof of tax paid.

9.

An approved trash container(s), to be compatible with the Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County's sanitation service or its agent, shall be located within one hundred fifty (150) feet of any manufactured housing unit park and shall be screened by a solid opaque fence of adequate height to screen from view any material in the container. Such trash containers shall be provided by the manufactured housing unit park owner/operator.

10.

All owners, operators of said manufactured housing park shall be responsible for the upkeep of all drives (access roads) within the confines of said park; and the grounds shall be clear of all litter, trash, garbage, inoperable automobiles, trucks, etc. as well as maintaining grounds (cutting of grass, maintenance of other landscaping), and drainage to assure a clean, habitable and sanitary environment.

11.

It shall be the responsibility of the owner/manager of said manufactured housing to not rent, lease, or otherwise convey the use of property within confined said manufactured housing park unit proper permits have been issued by the Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County's Building Official for said location. A registration shall be required to be kept on-premises of all lots rented, leased, or otherwise conveyed to include data, name, address, phone lot number, size and model.

12.

A buffer evergreen strip of at least 25 feet in width and ten (10) feet in height shall be planted along the side and rear yard lines of the manufactured housing unit park.

13.

Skirting: All manufactured housing units shall have suitable skirting between the base of the unit and the ground. This skirting shall be made of either concrete block, brick, wood, other materials intended for such use. Openings in the skirting shall not be more than two (2) inches square.

14.

Access doors: All units shall have a minimum of an 18" x 24" latchable access door and required crawl space venting.

15.

Anchors: All units shall be provided with anchors as required by the latest published edition of the International Building Code or Minimum State Code.

16.

Inspection: Before electrical service is given to any manufactured housing unit, the unit and the lot upon which it is located shall be inspected by the county's building official after the necessary permits are approved, and all other requirements of this Ordinance and other laws, and codes, affecting said location.

17.

Travel trailers: Manufactured housing unit space shall not be used for the permanent accommodation of travel trailers or recreational vehicles under any circumstances.

18.

Age of units: The manufactured housing unit to be placed must be certified under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and as applicable by the Georgia State Fire Marshal's Office and manufactured after June 15, 1976 prior to issuance of a permit.

In all zoning districts there shall be provided at the time any permitted use is established, enlarged or increased in capacity, off-street parking spaces for automobiles in accordance with the schedule set forth n Article 6, Section 3, and as set forth herein.

1.

For the purpose of applying the off-street parking requirements set forth in Article 6, Section 3, "Floor Area" is defined as the gross floor area used or intended to be used by the public for the purchase of goods and services shall include areas occupied by fixtures and equipment for display or sale of merchandise. "Lot Area" is defined as the area or portion of a lot actually used for display or sale of goods and services to the public.

2.

Joint off-street parking facilities for two or more uses will be established so long as the required number of off-street parking spaces shall not be equal to less than the sum of the requirements of the individual uses computed separately.

3.

Fractional off-street parking space requirements shall be counted as a whole space if the fraction is greater than one-half.

4.

Off-street parking area shall not be considered as loading or unloading areas. No off-street parking facility in existence at the effective date of these regulations shall be reduced to an amount less than required for a similar use.

Whenever off-street parking is required for the development of a lot, it shall be established and maintained as follows:

1.

Each off-street parking space shall consist of a designated and defined area of at least ten (10) feet in width and twenty (20) feet in length exclusive of access drives and aisles.

2.

Except for lots devoted to single and two dwelling units per structure uses, all areas established for off-street parking shall be designed and be of such size that a vehicle is not required to back into a public street to obtain egress.

3.

All area devoted to off-street parking space shall have clearly defined access drives of ingress and egress not to exceed twenty-five (25) feet to include curbs.

4.

All areas devoted to permanent off-street parking shall be of a hard surface or in such a manner that no dust will result from continuous use. Each off-street parking space shall be clearly marked or otherwise defined. Gravel or plan mix is also acceptable.

5.

No off-street parking space shall extend beyond any lot line and where an off-street parking space abuts a residential lot line, a setback line of five (5) feet shall be established.

6.

All areas devoted to ingress or egress in a commercial, industrial or multifamily zone shall be denoted by curbing.

7.14.1 Off-Street Loading and Unloading: In all zoning districts where permitted uses require the receipt or distribution of materials or merchandise by truck or similar vehicle, off street loading and unloading space shall be provided. Such requirements will apply to new structures or that portion of existing structures which are altered or expanded after the effective date of this Ordinance.

Requirements for Off-Street Loading and Unloading Space:

1.

One (1) space shall be required for the first twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of floor area, plus one (1) additional space for each twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of floor area up to one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet and one (1) space for each additional forty thousand (40,000) square feet thereafter.

2.

The minimum size of an off-street loading and unloading space shall be ten (10) feet by fifty (50) feet exclusive of driveway maneuvering space.

3.

No street or alley shall be considered as part of the off-street loading or unloading area.

4.

All areas for loading or unloading shall be so designed and located to permit traffic to exit facing a street or alley.

5.

Off-street loading and unloading and unloading spaces may occupy all or any part or any required yard area.

The following restrictions apply to the Conservation District:

1.

Several uses are not allowed, including hazardous waste and solid waste landfills.

2.

A single-family dwelling required two acres, and septic tank drainfills may not be located within one hundred (100) feet of Lake Walter F. George Reservoir and the Tobannee Creek.

3.

An undisturbed vegetative buffer must be maintained within one hundred (100) feet of Lake Walter F. George Reservoir and the Tobannee Creek bands.

4.

Industrial development is prohibited in the district.

The following uses are permitted in the Conservation District:

1.

Timber production and harvesting. All forestry activity shall be consistent with the Georgia Forestry Commission Best Management Practices.

2.

Wildlife and fisheries management activities consistent with Georgia State Law.

3.

Passive recreational usage, i.e., boat ramp, trails and pathways in a natural state.

4.

Agricultural production and management consistent with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Best Management Practices. Agricultural activity shall be consistent with all state and federal laws, and all laws promulgated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

5.

All uses except for those expressly permitted by this Ordinance must be approved by the Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County.

The purposes of these regulations are to encourage the appropriate development of tracts of land in all zoning districts sufficiently large enough to allow comprehensive planning and to provide flexibility in the application of certain regulations in a manner consistent with the general purposes of the Zoning Ordinance, thereby promoting a harmonious variety of uses, the economy of shared services and facilities, compatibility with surrounding area, and the creation of attractive, healthful, efficient and stable environments for living.

Ownership: To qualify as a planned unit development (PUD) the tract or tracts of land included in such development must be under one ownership or control or must be the subject of a joint application by the owners of all the property included. The holder of a written option to purchase or any governmental agency shall be deemed to be the owner of such land for purposes of satisfying this requirement. Unless otherwise provided as a condition for approval of a planned unit development, the applicant may divide and transfer units of any development for which approval has been granted, provided that the transferee shall complete each such unit, and use, and maintain it, in strict conformance with the approved development plan.

Review Criteria: A PUD may be approved only when the following review criteria are met:

1.

The proposal shall produce a functional, enduring and desirable environment, with no significant adverse impacts to adjacent properties.

2.

The proposal shall be consistent with the plans of the Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County.

3.

The design and site planning shall insure compatibility and harmony with existing and planned uses on adjacent properties. Design elements to be considered include, but shall not be limited to, architectural style, placement of buildings upon land, building heights and bulk, off-street parking, open space, privacy and landscaping.

4.

The proposal shall insure compatibility and harmony with natural features of the site and adjoining properties. Natural features to be considered include, but shall not be limited to, topography, native vegetation, wildlife habitats and watercourses.

5.

The location, design and size of the proposal are such that occupants will be adequately served by existing or proposed facilities and services.

6.

The proposal shall provide adequate common open space areas free of buildings, street, driveways, or parking areas. The common open space shall be so designed and located that it is easily accessible to all occupants of the project and is usable for open space and recreational purposes.

7.

Off-street parking facilities shall provide parking sufficient for occupants of the development and their guests and shall be a planned part of the development to minimize exposure and impact on surroundings.

8.

Perpetual maintenance of all common land and facilities through means acceptable to the county shall be ensured.

9.

The location, design and size of the proposal are such that the traffic generated by the development can be accommodated safely, without causing congestion on major streets and without requiring the unnecessary traversing of other local streets.

Performance Bonds: The Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County may, as a condition of approval, require a cash bond or surety bond for completion of all or specified parts of the development. The bond shall be in a sum of 100 percent of the estimated cost of the work and conditioned upon the faithful performance of the work specified within the time specified.

Development Standards: The maximum allowable density shall be based on the overall land area, excluding public streets, rights-of-way and lands devoted to nonresidential facilities, and shall not exceed the overall density permitted by the applicable zoning district in which the PUD is proposed.

Distribution of Facilities: All facilities including off-street parking and loading facilities, usable open space and landscaping, buffering and screening may be located within the development without reference to lot lines or blocks, except the required parking spaces that serve residential development shall be located within 200 feet of the building containing the living units served.

Waiver of Dimensional Requirements: The minimum lot area, width, frontage and yard requirements and maximum height requirements otherwise applying may be waived or modified for purpose of promoting a unified site plan.

Coordination with Other Requirements and Procedures: The requirements prescribed in the Planned Unit Development Regulations are intended to be supplementary to and coordinated with those of other sections of this Ordinance and to the requirements of the Subdivision Regulations, which shall also apply to all planned unit developments which require subdivision review. Subdivision review under the Subdivision Regulations shall be carried out simultaneously with the Planned Unit Development Procedures prescribed hereinafter. The development plans shall be submitted in a form to satisfy requirements of the Subdivision Regulations for preliminary and final maps.

General Procedures: Application for a planned unit development shall be made by the owner of the subject or by his authorized agent on a form prescribed by the County Manager, County Clerk or other appointee and Building Inspector and shall be filed with said person. The application shall be accompanied but such information as is required under this procedure and submitted in a quantity specified by the Inspector or said person. The Planned Unit Development Procedure shall comprise a two-part process: a development plan review and a final review.

Development Plan Review: The Development Plan Review shall provide an opportunity for detailed review of proposed developments by the Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County officials and the general public.

1.

Elements of the Process. The development plan review process includes the following elements: Submission of a detailed Development Plan by the applicant, a Development Plan review by various county departments and other public and private agencies and departments as appropriate, public review of a response to the Development Plan through one or more public hearings, and formal action by the Planning Commission on the Development Plan.

2.

Application. All applicants submitting proposals for a planned unit development shall prepare and submit to the Building Inspector a Development Plan within one year from the date of the informational review conference.

3.

Content. The Development Plan shall be based on the generalized Development Plan presented in the information review. All elements required within the Development Plan shall be sufficiently detailed to indicate intent and impact. The following shall be included in the Development Plan:

a.

An overall development scheme stating the development intentions of the landowner, including, but not limited to the following: a statement of location and intensity of proposed uses and activities, a physical description of proposed facilities accommodating such uses, a statement of location and general configuration of lands to be dedicated for public open space and other public use, a general designation of utilities, and a general statement of form of site management proposed for common open spaces and facilities.

b.

A set of drawings of the entire development, accompanied by narratives as appropriate, indicating: perimeter boundaries of the site: streets and driveways, sidewalks and pedestrian ways and off-street parking and loading areas; location and approximate dimension of buildings and other structures, including activities and the number of living units; reservations for public uses and open spaces; major landscaping proposals; and renderings clearly establishing the scale, character and relationship of buildings, streets and open spaces.

c.

A set of maps and statements providing information on the character and use of the surrounding area within 300 feet of the limits of the proposed development.

4.

Development Plan Review Conference. Within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the completed Development Plan, a conference will be held between the applicant, the Planning commission, the Public Works Department, the building inspector and other departments or agencies deemed appropriate in order to review the Development Plan regarding compliance of carious elements proposed with applicable planning and zoning regulations of the county.

5.

Planning Commission Public Hearing. Within forty (40) days but not less than 15 days following the Development Plan review conference, a public hearing shall be held before the Planning Commission for formal action on the proposed development. As appropriate, this hearing may include and incorporate any hearing required for compliance with the Subdivision Regulations. Within forty (40) days following said hearing, the Planning Commission shall render a decision. Action taken by the Planning Commission may be a recommendation of any of the following:

a.

Approval.

b.

Conditional Approval, wherein certain changes are required or certain conditions of approval have been imposed, as deemed necessary and desirable in the judgment of the Planning Commission to ensure conformity to applicable criteria and standards.

c.

Denial, when the Planning Commission finds that the proposed development does not meet applicable criteria and standards.

6.

County Commission of the Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County Public Hearing. The Planned Unit Development recommendation shall then go before the County Commission of the Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County following the applicable procedures of this Ordinance. Action taken by the Commission of the Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County shall be deemed final and may be any one of the following:

a.

Approval.

b.

Conditional Approval, either as recommended by the Planning Commission or with other conditions.

c.

Denial.

If approved, such change shall be noted on the Zoning Map(s) as "PUD" and the development plan shall be on file in the Building Inspector's office.

Final Review: Final review enables involved county departments to review the Final Development Plan prior to issuance of applicable permits.

1.

Elements of the Process. Final review includes submission of the Final Development Plan by the applicant to the Building Inspectors office for compliance with applicable regulations and codes, and any conditions of approval as appropriate.

2.

Required Submission. Within eighteen (18) months of approval of the development Plan by the Planning Commission, the applicant shall file with the Building Inspector a Final Development Plan for the entire development or, when submission in stages has been authorized by the Planning Commission pursuant to its review of the Development Plan, for the first unit or stage of development.

3.

Contents. The Final Development Plan shall conform in all major respects with the approved Development Plan. In addition to all elements specified in this Ordinance for the development Plan, the Final Development Plan shall include, in maps and narratives as appropriate, the following elements:

a.

The location of water, sewerage and drainage facilities.

b.

Detailed building and landscaping plans and elevations.

c.

Character and location of signs.

d.

Plans for street improvements.

e.

Grading or earth moving plans.

f.

Application for any permits required by the Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County.

g.

Legal documents required for the dedication or reservation of group or common open spaces, for the creation of a nonprofit owners association, and/or for performance bonds.

h.

Changes, if any, as required by the County Commission of the Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County as conditions for approval.

i.

As appropriate, the Final Development Plan may be submitted concurrently with a final subdivision map and a zone change application.

4.

Noncompliance. In cases where the Building Inspector or other official individually or jointly find any major departure from applicable criteria or standards or from the approved Development Plan, the Final Development Plan shall be found in noncompliance and shall be denied.

Appeals: An appeal from the decision of the Building Inspector as to noncompliance may be made to the Planning Commission pursuant to their appeal procedure. In considering such appeal, the Planning Commission shall determine whether the proposal conforms to the requirements for compliance and may approve or disapprove the application or require such changes as noted by the Building Inspector or impose such conditions of approval as are in its judgment necessary to ensure compliance to the Development Plan and such other standards, criteria and regulations considered applicable.