This document is entitled "the Zoning Ordinance of Lamar County, Georgia." It may also be known by and cited by the short title of "Lamar County Zoning Ordinance."

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10)

The power of a local government to enact an ordinance such as this, which is intended to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, is provided by the Home Rule provisions of the Constitution and Laws of the State of Georgia.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10)

These regulations apply to all land within the unincorporated areas of Lamar County, Georgia.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10)

(a)

The zoning ordinance of Lamar County, Georgia seeks to encourage the development of desirable land use patterns within Lamar County in accordance with the Lamar County Land Use Plan. The promotion of sound land use patterns is intended to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of certain conditions which can threaten the general health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Lamar County. These regulations should serve the following purposes:

(1)

Reduce the occurrence of hazardous traffic patterns and general congestion.

(2)

Secure safety from fire, panic, and other dangers.

(3)

Assure that adequate light and air are provided.

(4)

Prevent the overcrowding of land and undue concentration of population.

(5)

Facilitate the adequate provision of public utilities and facilities.

(6)

Promote adequate living conditions and sustained suitability of neighborhoods.

(7)

Protect property against blight and depreciation.

(8)

Promote health, safety, morals, convenience, aesthetics and general welfare.

(9)

Eliminate or minimize as much as possible adverse impact on adjacent properties from the development of a piece of property.

(b)

Additional benefits to the public interest which can accrue from the development of sound land use patterns are as follows:

(1)

Efficient development and use of community utility networks.

(2)

Economy in governmental expenditures.

(3)

A higher level of convenience, order, prosperity, and aesthetics.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10)

These regulations provide for the following:

(a)

Defines certain terms used in these regulations.

(b)

Establishes certain land use districts and specifies the boundaries of those districts.

(c)

Provides procedures for administering and amending the ordinance.

(d)

Regulates the erection alteration, and use of buildings and structures.

(e)

Provides penalties for violation of these regulations.

(f)

Defines the powers and duties, as they relate to these regulations, of the Lamar County Board of Commissioners, as well as such administrative officers, bodies, and agencies as the Lamar County Board of Commissioners may establish for the efficient exercise of the zoning powers of Lamar County under provisions specified in the Zoning Procedures law (O.C.G.A. § 36-66-1, enacted by Ga. L. 1985, p. 1139, 1.). This includes at a minimum the administrative officer, the planning commission, and the board of appeals.

(g)

Repeals conflicting ordinances.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10)

(a)

Uniform development standards adopted by reference. The following uniform development standards are referred to frequently in the Lamar County Zoning Ordinance and are included as appendixes in the complete book of unified development ordinances of Lamar County. This adopts them by reference as part of these regulations.

(1)

Standards for Off-Street Parking and Service Facilities. (Appendix I. contains uniform standards for design and minimum required number of off-street parking and services facilities.)

(2)

Antennas and Towers (See Appendix K).

(3)

Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes (as amended). (Not included as an Appendix — administrative officer's copy may be reviewed in his office, or copy may be purchased from Georgia Department of Community Affairs.)

(4)

Georgia Housing Code (as amended). (Not included as an appendix — administrative officer's copy may be reviewed in his office, or copy may be purchased from Georgia Department of Community Affairs.)

(b)

Uniform development ordinances related to zoning ordinance. The following uniform development ordinances are referred to frequently in the Lamar County Zoning Ordinance. Although they are adopted as separate ordinances, they are closely related to the zoning ordinance and are included as appendixes in the complete book of unified development ordinances of Lamar County. These ordinances are as follows:

(1)

Lamar County Development Ordinance. (See Appendix A.)

(2)

Ordinance establishing the Lamar County Planning Commission. (See Appendix B.)

(3)

Ordinance establishing the Lamar County Board of Appeals. (See Appendix C.)

(4)

Lamar County Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance. (See Chapter 2-7 of Lamar County Code.)

(5)

Lamar County Sign Ordinance. (See Appendix F.)

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10)