Located in White County are several areas which contain soils highly suitable for the cultivation and operation of agricultural activities. These areas of prime agricultural lands are located in several communities throughout the county.

Land designated for the Agriculture Forestry Protection Land Use District constitutes a valuable natural resource whose protection is in the public interest. Agriculture is a major component of White County's economy, and it remains a viable economic enterprise in that land is held in relatively large tracts and land values are sufficiently low to support exclusively agricultural uses.

The White County Board of Commissioners realize that there are times where capital is required to continue operations related to agricultural purposes, therefore, the board authorizes the subdividing of said classified properties for the benefit of the farming operations. The purchaser of said subdivision may request that this property be reclassified if he or she wishes. The continuation of agriculture as a viable land use and component of the location economy is threatened by suburban and urban development land subdivision and land uses. When land is subdivided into smaller tracts, it becomes less suitable for agriculture because the assembly of enough acreage for a farm of minimum efficient size becomes difficult. Smaller tracts generally sell for a higher price per acre, and subdivision of large agricultural tracts generally results in the increase of per-acre land values. The availability of smaller tracts at lower costs attracts suburban and non-farm buyers into the market, thereby increasing adjacent land values for residential uses and decreasing land values for agricultural uses. The cumulative impact of the subdivision of farm land into small lots increases the level of conflict between farmers and non-farmers, makes farming more difficult, and eventually leads to dissolution of the agricultural economy.

Forestry has been an important industry for White County for many decades. In regards [to] complete removal of trees from a property, White County will encourage replanting of this renewable resource. We want to see continued green space so that we are not only good stewards of the lands entrusted to us but it also provides cleaner air and a healthier environment for us to raise our children.

Therefore, pursuant to the many goals, objectives, policies and recommendations of the comprehensive plan for White County, an Agriculture Forestry Land Use District is hereby established with the purposes of maintaining the agricultural land resources in a form amenable to the continuation of agriculture, restricting the division of farmland so that it does not become broken up into small parcels, thereby avoiding the accelerated conversion of land residential uses and discouraging the shift of the land market from rural to suburban/urban. An additional purpose of this land use district is [to] keep open enough land so that agriculture remains functionally viable, through the application of use restrictions which promote the preservation of prime agricultural lands. While the intent of this district is to promote maximum use of such areas for crop cultivation, the district regulations permit other active agricultural uses. Another purpose of this district is to hereby establish and promote the best use of forested land and to discourage and manage the division and development of forest land through use restrictions and various development requirements. This district may, in some very limited cases, serve as a transition from intensive agricultural operations to extremely low residential uses.

This district also includes a number of businesses and establishments uses that require a special use permit (SUP) from the White County Commission. Uses requiring special use permits are those that would not be appropriate without restrictions and is not permitted by right or conditionally, but allowed through regulations as to the number, area, location, relation to neighborhoods, operations or other pertinent considerations and specification/criteria as specified in this Code.

(Res. No. 2019-09, 6-4-19)

1.

Accessory uses and structures normally incidental and subordinate to one or more permitted uses.

2.

Agricultural uses including the production of field crops, fruits, nuts, vegetables and forestry products. Heavy commercial agricultural uses such as livestock, feedlots and swine and poultry raising are permitted uses provided that such houses are located a minimum of 100 feet from the boundary of any residential land use district.

3.

Farm structures, including barns, grain storage facilities, implement sheds and other structures accessory to agricultural uses are allowed with a setback of 15 feet from all property lines.

4.

Residences, single-family detached, provided that such dwelling is farm-related and subordinate to the principal use of the property for agricultural uses or for intrafamily uses.

5.

Non-farm residences, single-family detached, provided such residences are located on a minimum lot size of ten acres, and provided said residences are located on permitted and available non-farm development lots, and, provided that they are placed in accordance with all other White County environmental codes and within any conservation use covenant with the State of Georgia and White County. Such residences are allowed to have backyard farm plots or gardens.

6.

Cemeteries, churches, temples, synagogues and places of worship set back 50 feet from all property lines.

7.

Agri-tourism, heritage tourism, wedding tourism, event facilities and attractions, as defined by this resolution, with required driveway access improvements and parking facilities and provided that all structures and activity areas are buffered and located a minimum of 100 feet from the boundary of any other land use district.

8.

Public, semi-public, and utility buildings, structures and uses.

9.

Forest uses associated with the management, production and harvesting of raw timber, provided such uses are included within a forest management plan consistent with the Georgia Forestry Commission's Best Management Practices (BMPs) for forestry and timber harvesting, and the White County Code, chapter 30, article II, soil erosion, sedimentation, pollution control.

10.

Mineral resource extraction uses provided that they are permitted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and they are consistent [with] the appropriate mineral land use plan as required by Georgia DNR. In-stream dredging/hobby mining/panning activities are allowed provided a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit or exemption has been granted for the proposed activity.

11.

Public and private conservation areas and customary structures and other dwellings for the protection of water, soil, open space, forest and wildlife resources, including nature preserves, wilderness and wildlife management areas.

12.

Child caring institutions that provide traditional care or BASE care - base watchful oversite (BWO) in a home-like setting, and are licensed by the State of Georgia for providing such services. This setting shall be limited to a group care capacity of no more than 12 children, including the biological or adopted children of any host family serving the child caring institution.

13.

Home occupations as defined and limited by this ordinance.

14.

Single-family residences, not in a platted subdivision, placed with vacation rental cabin agencies or placed in a short term rental program provided that the owner obtains an occupational tax certificate, a host license, and a certificate of taxing authority.

(Res. No. 2019-09, 6-4-19; Res. No. 2023-01, 1-19-23; Res. No. 2024-02, 1-8-24)

1.

Radio and communication towers, transmission or communication substations.

2.

Child caring institutions providing other types of residential care and room, board and watchful oversight.

3.

Outdoor recreation uses and campgrounds uses provided that all structures and activity areas are buffered and located a minimum of 100 feet from the boundary of any other land use district.

(Res. No. 2019-09, 6-4-19; Res. No. 2023-01, 1-19-23; Res. No. 2024-02, 1-8-24)

1.

Amusement parks, related attractions and performance entertainment facilities.

2.

Animal mills or pet breeding facilities.

3.

Auto or motorsports tracks or related facilities.

4.

Meat processing and slaughter yards.

5.

Rooming, boarding or group housing, and group recovery/homes/centers.

6.

Shooting ranges (outdoor or indoor).

7.

Substance abuse and treatment facilities.

(Res. No. 2019-09, 6-4-19)