R-4 (general residential) zoning districts are intended to establish and preserve well organized, high-density neighborhoods with a variety of types of dwellings, as well as some nonresidential uses which are compatible, if proper design controls are maintained. These districts are free from other uses which are incompatible with or would detract from permitted uses. When permitted uses are developed within a R-4 district, they are protected from the detrimental effects of intrusion by incompatible land uses. Diverse neighborhoods that are both stable and attractive may therefore be established and preserved.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10; Ord. No. 2020-07, § 1, 11-17-20)

The factors contained in section 410 of these regulations must be thoroughly considered by the planning commission as well as the Lamar County Board of Commissioners when determining in which zoning district an area of land is to be placed. This will assure that rational comprehensive planning principles are the basis upon which the decision is made. Land use decisions which are based on sound planning principles encourage the development and preservation of land use patterns that provide healthful and safe living conditions of the residents of Lamar County.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10; Ord. No. 2020-07, § 1, 11-17-20)

The official zoning map (section 2301 of these regulations) shows the boundaries of all R-4 districts within Lamar County. Article 23 also contains additional information concerning interpreting district boundaries, amending boundaries, etc.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10; Ord. No. 2020-07, § 1, 11-17-20)

(a)

The following principal uses are permitted in R-4 districts:

(1)

Site-built single-family detached dwelling with a floor area of at least eight hundred (800) square feet.

(2)

Two-family dwelling with a floor area per dwelling unit of at least eight hundred (800) square feet.

(3)

Multi-family dwelling with a floor area per dwelling unity of at least eight hundred (800) square feet with no more than four (4) attached units.

(4)

Industrialized/modular home with a floor area of at least eight hundred (800) square feet.

(5)

Local, state, or federal government building.

(6)

Club or lodge meeting the following development standards:

a.

Must be located on an arterial street/road.

b.

All buildings must be placed at least fifty (50) feet from any property lines.

c.

A buffer must be maintained along the side and rear property lines.

(7)

Boarding or rooming house.

(8)

Nursery school or kindergarten meeting the following development standards:

a.

Must have at least one hundred fifty (150) square feet of outdoor play area for each child.

b.

The outdoor play area must be enclosed by a woven wire fence at least four (4) feet high, the bottom of which must be either flush with the ground or with a masonry footing.

(9)

Clinic.

(10)

School, public or private.

(11)

Local, state, or federal government building.

(12)

Publicly owned and operated park or recreation area.

(13)

Subdivision recreation area owned, operated, and maintained by a homeowner's association exclusively for the use of residents and their guests.

(14)

Utility substation meeting the following development standards:

a.

Structures must be placed at least thirty (30) feet from all property lines.

b.

Structures must be enclosed by a woven wire fence at least eight (8) feet high with bottom of fence either flush with the ground or with a masonry footing.

c.

No vehicle or equipment may be stored on the lot.

d.

A buffer must be maintained along the side and rear property lines.

(b)

The following principal uses are permitted as special exceptions in R-4 districts:

(1)

Personal care home meeting the following development standards:

a.

Home must be inspected by county inspector to ensure compliance with state mandated sizing and material conditions requirements for the number of residents requested in the special exception request before a business license is issued.

b.

A state permit and county business license must be obtained and renewed annually for the operation of the home.

c.

An annual inspection by the county inspector shall be conducted at the time of the renewal of the business license to ensure continued compliance with state capacity, material conditions and safety requirements.

(2)

Nursing home meeting the following development standards:

a.

Must be located on an arterial street/road.

b.

All buildings must be placed at least fifty (50) feet from any property lines.

c.

A buffer must be maintained along the side and rear property lines.

(3)

Small scale commercial use with a floor area of no more than one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet that meets the needs of the neighborhood. Examples include laundry services and food services such as small markets or restaurants.

(c)

The following accessory uses are permitted in R-4 districts:

(1)

Private garage or carport not to exceed the storage capacity of three (3) automobiles per dwelling unit.

(2)

Structure for the storage of equipment and supplies used in maintaining the principal building and its grounds.

(3)

Structure for a children's playhouse and the storage of children's play equipment.

(4)

Private swimming pool and bath house, or cabana meeting the following development standards:

a.

All such swimming pools which are at least three (3) feet deep must be completely enclosed by a fence that is at least four (4) feet high.

(5)

Private tennis court and/or basketball facilities; if lighted, lights must be designed so that they do not intrude upon adjacent lots. Such a court may be surrounded by a fence up to ten (10) feet in height.

(6)

Noncommercial garden, including a greenhouse and other customary garden structures not over eight (8) feet in height. Community gardens are also allowed.

(7)

Deck, patio, barbecue grill, or other such facility.

(8)

Fence, wall, exterior lighting fixture, or other general landscaping and site development facility.

(9)

Antenna — Satellite, television, radio, etc.

(10)

Temporary building for storage of materials, during construction, meeting the following development standards:

a.

Permitted only in conjunction with construction of a building.

b.

Allowed either on the same lot where construction is taking place or on an adjacent lot.

c.

Such a use must be terminated upon completion of construction.

(11)

The off street parking of unoccupied travel trailers, motor coaches, or pleasure boats.

(12)

Sign as permitted by the Lamar County Sign Ordinance (Appendix F).

(13)

Home occupation, as defined in section 202.

(d)

The following accessory uses are permitted as special exceptions in R-4 districts:

(1)

Refer to section 504(d) for other accessory uses permitted as special exceptions.

(e)

All accessory uses must meet the standards set forth in section 504(e).

(f)

Any similar use may be applied for as a special exception.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10; Res. No. 2012-08, 8-21-12; Ord. No. 2019-09, 6-18-19; Ord. No. 2020-07, § 1, 11-17-20)

In addition to the development standards contained in article 4 of these regulations, the following standards are required within R-4 districts:

(a)

Minimum floor area per dwelling unit (for residential) or for buildings (for nonresidential): Eight hundred (800) square feet.

(b)

Minimum lot area:

(1)

Unsewered areas without public water: Not allowed; however, a lot of record lawfully zoned R4 existing at the time of passage of these regulations may nevertheless be developed for a single-family dwelling only if approved by the Lamar County Health Department.

(2)

Sewered areas: With or without jointly-owned common areas: Ten thousand eight hundred ninety (10,890) square feet; however, a lot of record lawfully existing at the time of passage of these regulations may nevertheless be developed with a use which is permitted within a R-4 district if approved by the Lamar County Health Department.

(3)

Unsewered areas with public water: Not allowed; however, a lot of record lawfully zoned R4 existing at the time of passage of these regulations may nevertheless be developed with a use which is permitted within an R-4 district only if approved by the Lamar County Health Department.

(c)

Minimum lot width:

(1)

Unsewered areas: One hundred fifty (150) feet.

(2)

Sewered areas: Sixty (60) feet.

(d)

Minimum front yard:

(1)

Arterial streets/roads: Seventy-five (75) feet from the property line.

(2)

Collector streets and other streets/roads: Forty (40) feet from the property line.

(e)

Minimum side yard: Total for both side yards of at least twenty (20) feet, with the minimum for either side of five (5) feet. A fire wall is required for side yards of ten (10) feet or less. A side lot adjoining a differently zoned district must be at least twenty (20) feet.

(f)

Minimum rear yard: Five (5) feet. A fire wall is required for rear yards of ten (10) feet or less. If rear lot line adjoins a differently zoned district, minimum required yard is forty (40) feet, regardless of the type of dwelling unit on the lot.

(g)

Maximum lot coverage by impervious surfaces: Forty (40) percent.

(h)—(x)

Development standards common to most districts are listed under subsections 505(h)—(x).

(y)

Fire walls: All side and rear walls of attached dwelling units which are less than ten (10) feet from the lot line must be fire walls. (See Georgia Building Code for construction standards.)

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10; Ord. No. 2020-07, § 1, 11-17-20)