11.00.01   Purpose.

The goals of the architectural standards are to encourage the development of the character areas of the Greater Tift County Comprehensive Plan of the City of Tifton, to preserve the context and character of the City of Tifton, to stimulate neighborhoods and to protect and enhance aesthetic attractions to residents, tourists and others, and thereby promote and stimulate business, to protect and enhance the attractiveness of the city to home buyers, tourists, visitors and shoppers, and thereby support and promote business, commerce, and industry, and provide economic benefit to the city, and to encourage creativity and high quality design and construction. In order to be consistent with local architectural character, building designs are encouraged to reflect local, unique, and traditional designs to help avoid a common generic appearance.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)

11.00.02   Applicability.

All development activity within the zoning districts, GB, WLI, NC, MR, and RP, with the exception of single family dwellings, within the City of Tifton, shall be reviewed for compliance with Section 11.01.00, and all subsections therein, of the Land Development Code along with any other portion of the City of Tifton Code of Ordinances.

The design standards for single family residences within the zoning districts R8, R10, R12, R14, R20, MR, RP, and NC shall conform to Section 11.02.00, and all subsections therein, of this Chapter, and any other applicable codes and ordinances.

Development activity means all new construction, modification, addition, alteration, moving, destruction or demolition which would affect the exterior appearance of any structure, building, land, site or other object, including, but not limited to, the following:

A.

The demolition of any building, structure or object.

B.

The moving or relocation of any building, structure or object.

C.

Except for housecleaning, any material work on the exterior appearance of existing buildings by additions, reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration or any maintenance, or any exterior material changes.

D.

Any new construction of a principal building or accessory building or structure subject to view from a street or public way.

E.

Changes in existing walls, fences, steps, sidewalks, streets and paving or construction of new walls, fences, steps, sidewalks, streets and paving, if along street rights-of-way, public lanes or public alleys.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)

11.01.01   Ratios and amounts of allowed building materials.

A.

With the exception of accent/trim materials, there shall be no more than three (3) primary building materials used. The allowed facade materials shall not apply to entry doors and/or roll-up doors.

B.

Buildings over five thousand (5,000) square feet shall be broken up to look like multiple buildings rather than one (1) large box.

C.

The amount of permitted material shall be calculated using the gross square footage of wall area per façade that is visible from the street and shall be no more than fifty (50) percent of any one (1) approved material. For example, a building has a front facade with a gross facade area of one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet with four hundred (400) square feet consisting of windows and doors. Begin with one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet for required building material calculations. A wall area of one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet shall have no more than six hundred (600) square feet of stucco on the front facade [e.g. (1,200 × 50% = 600)]. The balance shall be brick or other allowed material. Trim or accent material may account for up to ten (10) percent or one hundred twenty (120) square feet.

D.

Blank wall facades. The length of a blank wall (no windows, doors, or offsets in the horizontal plane) shall not exceed fifty (50) feet for building facades which are visible from public streets or parking lots.

E.

Pronounced entries. Principal building entrances must be oriented for convenient pedestrian access and provide cover from sun and rain. This may be accomplished by recessing the entry way, placing it within an arcade, under a projecting canopy, or within a mass or tower projecting from the primary façade.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)

11.01.02   Building materials.

Types of building materials shall be limited as follows:

A.

Preferred materials for exterior walls:

1.

Brick.

2.

Glass, including glass storefront construction.

3.

Stone.

4.

Split-face block/concrete masonry units (CMU) may be used if limited to fifty (50) percent of the surface area of the façade.

5.

Finished precast concrete limited to fifty (50) percent of exterior wall surfaces.

6.

Stucco.

7.

Natural wood and/or cement-based siding.

B.

Materials prohibited in exterior walls:

1.

Unfinished concrete and precast "T's".

2.

Unfinished concrete block.

3.

Reflective exterior materials shall not be used.

4.

Vinyl siding.

5.

Steel gates, burglar bars and steel roll-down curtains. Interior security measures are not regulated.

C.

Roofs.

1.

Materials for pitched roofs shall be limited to architectural grade composition shingles, natural slate, natural terra cotta, copper or factory finished sheet metal.

2.

Mansard type roofs are prohibited.

3.

Roof penetrations and equipment (except chimneys) shall be screened by parapet, located on the rear slope, or otherwise configured to have as minimal visual impact as practicable from the public street or space.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)

11.01.03   Site.

A.

When any parcel of land within the corporate limits of the city abutting existing public streets is developed with new construction, or over half of an existing structure is remodeled or renovated, the owner or developer shall install the following:

1.

A four-foot-wide sidewalk along the entire length of any road frontage.

2.

Provide paved pedestrian connections from public sidewalks to the site interior (may not be located within a required tree island). These pedestrian pathways shall be ADA compliant. Incorporation of pedestrian-friendly features and amenities wherever possible. Pedestrian paths (e.g., sidewalks, mulched paths) should encourage pedestrian travel throughout an entire project. Pedestrian paths connecting adjacent properties and projects are also strongly encouraged.

3.

Sites should include a minimum of any two (2) of the following and shall meet all accessibility codes:

a.

One (1) bicycle rack.

b.

One (1) bench.

c.

One (1) trash receptacle.

B.

Off-street loading areas required in Land Development Code shall be located in the rear of buildings and screened from view from adjacent property or streets.

C.

Care should be taken to locate stormwater detention or retention areas in the least conspicuous areas of the project site or design them as a water feature. Additional care should be taken to mitigate the visual intrusion of detention or retention areas through the use of heavy landscaping, or concealing these areas underground. Utilization of the retention or detention pond as an attractive site feature is the preferred alternative.

D.

Fence Screening required in other portions of this Land Development Code shall be of a permanent material such as wood slates or decorative metals. Materials such as plastics, tarps, PVC, and any other type of temporary materials are not permitted.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)

11.01.04   Accessory structures and other features.

A.

Accessory structures shall be of the same general style and materials as the principle structure and shall be anchored on a permanent foundation. For mobile buildings, care should be taken to ensure the foundation and accessory structure blend so as to not look like a mobile building.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)

11.02.01   Architectural elements.

There are various architectural elements that may be found on a home such as transoms, trim detail, porch, shutters, window mullions/casings, brick detail, cornice detailing, masonry exterior veneer. Also, a variety of architectural styles are present in the City of Tifton; therefore, no specific style or theme will be required.

The City of Tifton's intent is to establish standards for:

A.

New development that incorporates an architectural style or architectural elements consistent with the desired style of development in the surrounding neighborhood, and

B.

New development that complements the architectural heritage of the district in which it is located, and

C.

Multiple residences within a single development that relate architecturally with each other and the elements of the surrounding neighborhood.

Items that are considered inappropriate are no architectural elements, use of an architectural style that does not complement the fabric of the surrounding neighborhood, and exact replication of each residence.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)

11.02.02   Front side of residence.

All new homes shall have the front of the residence facing the street. The front of a residence is the most highly designed side utilizing the following elements:

A.

Appropriate:

1.

A change in plane, building wall projection or recess.

2.

Architectural details.

3.

Variety in material and texture.

4.

Ornamental doors.

5.

Porch.

6.

Shutters.

7.

Primary entrance emphasized using a gable or stoop.

8.

Arches, columns, cornices.

B.

Inappropriate:

1.

Facades without articulation or other architectural detail to provide visual interest and variety on the facade.

2.

Exact replication of each residence.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)

11.02.03   Side and Rear of Residences.

A.

Appropriate:

1.

An overall design of the side or rear façade(s) of the residence should be consistent with that of the primary façade regarding architectural style, materials, finish, color and detail.

2.

Architectural embellishments, decking, awnings, and landscaping are used to identify the rear entrance.

B.

Inappropriate:

1.

A rear or side façade that does not enhance or support the architectural style of the building.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)

11.02.04   Materials.

A.

Appropriate:

1.

Materials compatible with the existing and/or desired context of the surrounding area.

2.

The use of high-quality materials which result in residences that will be as maintenance free as possible and long-term components of the urban fabric.

3.

Residential building materials consistent with and relating to the architectural style of the surrounding residences.

4.

Building materials appropriate to the scale of the residence.

5.

Use of the following durable materials: brick, stucco, stone or fiber cement siding.

B.

Inappropriate:

1.

Exterior walls designed and/or constructed of materials with a limited life expectancy.

2.

Materials incompatible with the architectural style of the residence.

3.

The use of the following materials on building exteriors:

a.

Poorly crafted woodworking and finishing techniques.

b.

Mill finish aluminum extrusions for windows and doorways.

c.

Unfinished cinder block walls.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)

11.02.05   Roofing.

A.

Appropriate:

1.

Roofing materials and style, which are compatible with existing and/or desired context of the surrounding neighborhood.

B.

Inappropriate:

1.

Differing roofing materials, especially for additions and porches.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)

11.02.06   Other architectural features.

A.

Appropriate:

1.

Shutters and awnings the shapes, materials, proportions, and design of which are in character with the style of the residence.

2.

The inclusion of other architectural details and elements (railings, flower boxes, etc.) as appropriate to the style and function of the residence.

3.

Gutters, downspouts, utility boxes, meters, etc. located as visually unobtrusively as possible. Where feasible, they should not be visible from the street.

4.

The location of central air conditioning components as far away from the street as possible and/or out of public view.

5.

Light fixtures that are designed to respect, enhance and contribute to the architectural style, detailing and elements of a residence.

6.

Light fixtures that reinforce the overall composition of the façade with regard to material, size, scale and shape.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)

11.02.07   Accessory structures.

A.

Accessory structures shall be of the same general style, materials, and roofing as the principle structure and shall be anchored on a permanent foundation. For mobile buildings, care should be taken to ensure the foundation and accessory structure blend so as to not look like a mobile building.

B.

Accessory structures that are not required to have a permit to construct or move, one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided that the floor area is not greater than two hundred (200) square feet, are not subject to the design guidelines of this section. However, setbacks and Historic Preservation Guidelines must be followed.

(Ord. No. 2020-07, 6-15-2020)