For the purpose of this Ordinance, the City of Woodstock, Georgia, is divided into the following districts:

CV Civic District

This district is intended for government-owned properties outside the Downtown District. All government-owned properties not otherwise zoned are deemed Civic District; and shall continue to be zoned Civic District upon any transfer to any private person or entity.

DT Downtown District

This district is intended to allow continuation of traditional development patterns. The uses allowed in this district are those that will benefit from close proximity of uses and foster a pedestrian oriented environment. There are several zoning classifications within the Downtown District.

DT-CBD Central Business District

Permits a mix of retail, office, and residential uses in mixed-use buildings. Maximum of twelve (12) dwelling units per acre. Some permitted uses in this district have maximum square footage limits as listed in Section 7.506, Additional Development Regulations Required.

DT-CV Downtown Civic

This district is intended for government-owned properties in the Downtown District.

DT-CMU Commercial Mixed-Use

Permits a mix of retail, office, and residential uses in mixed-use buildings at a scale and intensity greater than that permitted in the DT-CBD.

DT-GC General Commercial

Permits a mix of uses that are a scale and character compatible with regional serving and highway-oriented developments.

DT-LR Low-density Residential

Permits single-family residential uses and accessory dwelling units. No dwelling units shall be located above or below another dwelling unit. Maximum of six (6) residential lots per acre. Minimum lot size of three thousand five hundred (3,500) square feet.

DT-VLR Very Low-density Residential

Permits single-family residential uses and accessory dwelling units. No dwelling units shall be located above or below another dwelling unit. Maximum of two (2) residential lots per acre. Minimum lot size of seven thousand five hundred (7,500) square feet.

DT-MR-A Medium-density Residential A

Permits single-family and multi-family residential uses and limited uses. Maximum of nine (9) dwelling units or single-family lots per acre. Minimum lot size of one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet.

DT-MR-B Medium-density Residential B

Permits single-family and multi-family residential uses and limited uses. Maximum of twelve (12) dwelling units or single-family lots per acre. Minimum lot size of one thousand (1,000) square feet.

DT-OS Downtown Open Space

This district is intended for property dedicated to recreational and passive open space in the Downtown District. No commercial or residential uses are permitted other than parking.

DT-RO Residential/Office

Permits primarily office and residential uses. Maximum of eight (8) dwelling units per acre. Some permitted uses in this district have maximum square footage limits as listed in Section 7.506, Additional Development Regulations Required. Uses located within historic residential structures within the historic zone are exempt from size limits requirements.

GC General Commercial District

This district is intended to provide suitable areas for a variety of commercial sales and service activities which generally serve the wide area uses, located along the major thoroughfares to concentrate commercial activities. Strip development is discouraged.

GC-VMU General Commercial—Vertical Mixed-Use District

This district is intended for the Regional Activity Center and similar areas in Woodstock where ground-floor commercial and multifamily residential occupy the same area.

HI Heavy Industrial District

Industrial operations of all types that do not pose a liability for the community are permitted. This district should be accessible to railroads and major highways. Residential and retail uses are prohibited. Natural barriers or buffers are required to separate these uses from residential districts.

LI Light Industrial District

Light industrial operations, limited to business parks and warehouses, but prohibiting residential uses. Limited manufacturing establishments that do not use large quantities of water or emit excessive noise, odors, dust, vibrations, or fumes may be permitted.

OS Open Space

This district is intended for property to be used for recreational and passive open space outside the Downtown District. No commercial or residential uses are permitted.

NC Neighborhood Commercial District

Limited retail activities, personal services and professional offices are encouraged to serve the general needs of a residential neighborhood. Development in this zone is regulated for compatibility with surrounding residential areas. Strip development is discouraged.

OSI Office Space and Institutional District

Office parks, including medical or professional buildings and institutions, such as a college or university are permitted. Limited related retail business and service activities may be permitted. Residential, industrial and manufacturing uses are prohibited.

PUD Planned Unit Development

This zone classification has been discontinued for future rezonings.

R-1 Single-family Residential District

Single-family detached residential development at the lowest density and moderately high minimum heated area requirements with or without central sewer.

R-2 Single-family Residential District

Single-family residential development, at a low density and moderately low minimum heated area requirements. Central sewer system is required.

R-3 Medium Density Residential District

Residential development at moderate density and moderately low minimum heated area requirements. Central sewer system is required.

R-4 Modern Medium Density Residential District

Residential development at moderate density with smaller lot standards and setbacks to allow for a more current market demand.

R-5 High Density Residential District

Residential development at high density and moderately low minimum heated area requirements. Central sewer system is required.

RR Railroad District

This district includes all of the railroad right-of-way. The only allowable uses within this district are railroad infrastructure and signage, which signage is required by Federal, State or City law or regulation, utility infrastructure and easements and transportation infrastructure.

RD Rural District

This district is intended to protect existing agricultural, farming and forestry uses and to preserve the peace and quiet. Any uses which would bring frequent patrons or traffic are prohibited. Very low residential use, limited to one (1) dwelling unit per five (5) acres.

SL Senior Living

This district is intended to allow for the development of detached, attached and multi-family dwelling units and associated services limited to those persons age fifty-five (55) and older. The district includes SL-A, SL-B and SL-C zoning classifications.

SL-A Senior Living A

Permits single-family detached residential units with a base density of no more than four (4) dwelling units per acre.

SL-B Senior Living B

Permits single-family attached residential units with a base density of no more than six (6) dwelling units per acre.

SL-C Senior Living C

Permits multi-family residential units and limited uses with a base density of no more than twelve (12) dwelling units per acre.

(Ord. No. 5840-2019, § 1(Exh. A), 6-10-2019; Ord. No. 7205-2021, § 1(Exh. A), 6-14-2021)

The boundaries of the districts established in Section 7.301 of this article are hereby established as shown on the "Official City of Woodstock Zoning Map." The "Official Woodstock Zoning Map" shall be signed by the Mayor of the City of Woodstock, Georgia, and certified by the City Clerk as being the official copy and shall be kept on display in City Hall. Maps and descriptions of approved amendments to the Official Map shall be displayed adjacent to the official copy until such time as the official copy is updated.

(Ord. No. 5840-2019, § 1(Exh. A), 6-10-2019)

Where, due to the scale, lack of detail, or illegibility of the Zoning Map accompanying this Ordinance, there is uncertainty contradiction, or conflict as to the intended location of any zoning district boundary as shown thereon, interpretation concerning the exact location of the zoning district boundary line shall be determined by the City Council.

(Ord. No. 5840-2019, § 1(Exh. A), 6-10-2019)

The following general development standards shall apply to all districts outlined in this Ordinance:

1.

Minimum Acreage Requirement. New residential developments outside the Downtown District shall have a minimum acreage/assemblage requirement of eight (8) acres.

a.

Projects which involve an annexation are exempt from this requirement.

b.

For projects proposed on less than eight (8) acres, including the addition of phases to existing developments, the applicant may pursue a conditional use permit in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Land Development Ordinance.

c.

For acreage requirements inside the Downtown District, see Section 7.721.

2.

Critical Mass for Redevelopment Requirement. Redevelopment of more than two (2) existing lots in a platted subdivision on the same land disturbance permit is prohibited unless a critical mass of eighty (80) percent or more contiguous lots in the subdivision are acquired and assembled, leaving the remaining twenty (20) percent of the lots as one (1) intact subdivision. For the purposes of this section, lots are considered contiguous if they share more than half of the length of the adjoining property line for each adjacent parcel that is to be considered contiguous. The phasing of redevelopment over several LDPs as a way to subvert this section is prohibited. For the purposes of this Ordinance, a platted subdivision is a subdivision of residential lots for which a subdivision plat has been recorded in the Superior Court Clerk's Office of Cherokee County.

3.

Buildings Under Construction. Nothing in this Ordinance shall require any change in the construction or intended use of a building, which is legally under construction or for which a building permit has been issued at the effective date of this Ordinance.

4.

Use of Land. No land shall be used for a purpose which is not permitted in the district in which it is located. Outdoor display of goods for sale at retail establishments is prohibited, except for Retail - Outdoor, Consumer Fireworks Retail Stands - Temporary, and Junk/Salvage Yard uses, where permitted. Properties within the DT-CBD zoning district are exempt from this requirement concerning items displayed in Sidewalk Supplemental Zones.

5.

Use of Structure. No structure shall be erected, use converted, enlarged, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered, except in conformance with this Ordinance.

6.

Lot Reduction Prohibited. No parcel of land existing at the time of passage of this Ordinance shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements of the zone district in which said lot lies.

7.

Use of Substandard Lots. Where the owner of a lot at the time of the adoption of this Ordinance does not own sufficient land to enable him to conform to the dimensional requirements of this Ordinance, such lot may nonetheless be used as a building site provided that said lot requirements are not reduced below the minimum specified in this Ordinance by more than twenty (20) percent. If, however, the owner of two (2) or more adjoining lots with insufficient land dimensions decides to build on or to sell off these lots, he must first combine said lots to comply with the dimensional requirements of the Ordinance. Any lot requiring dimensional waivers below the twenty (20) percent minimum set forth in this section may be approved by the City Council provided that further decreased dimensional requirements shall conform as closely as possible to the required dimensions.

8.

Vision Clearance. In all districts no fence, wall, shrubbery, or other obstruction to vision between the heights of two and one-half (2½) feet and ten (10) feet above the finished grade of streets shall be erected, permitted, or maintained within twenty (20) feet of the intersection of the right-of-way lines of streets or railroads.

9.

Joint Open Space Not Permitted. No part of a yard, or other open space, or off-street parking or loading required about or in connection with any building for the purposes of complying with this Ordinance, shall be included as part of a yard, open space, or off-street parking or loading space similarly required for any other building. Nor shall right-of-way easements for streets and roads be considered a part of a tot or open space, or front rear, or side yard for the purpose of meeting yard requirements.

10.

Homeowners Association. Any new residential subdivision of more than three (3) residential units shall be required to have an incorporated homeowners association.

11.

Condominium Owner's Association. Any new residential—multi-family, fee simple development must create and be governed by an association formed in accordance with the Georgia Condominium Act, O.C.G.A. § 44-3-70 et seq., now and as amended.

12.

Corner Lots. A lot of which at least two (2) adjoining sides abut their full lengths on a public street. Said corner lot shall provide the minimum front yard setback for each street for the district in which the lot is situated. Rear setbacks for corner lots may be reduced to no less than the minimum side yard setback for the district in which the lot is situated.

13.

Double Frontage Lots. This provision relates to lots having frontage on two (2) streets, but not located on a corner. This type of lot is not permitted in new subdivisions. However, if the lot was in existence prior to the adoption of this Ordinance, the minimum front yard shall be provided on each street in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance.

14.

Average Front Yard Requirements. The setback requirements of this Ordinance shall not apply to any lot where the average setback on already built upon lots located wholly or in part within two hundred (200) feet on each side of such lot and within the block and zoning district and fronting on the same street as such lot is less than the minimum required setback. In such cases, the setback of such a lot may be less than the requirement setback, but not less than the average of the existing setbacks on the developed lots. However, in no case shall setbacks be less than twelve (12) feet outside the Downtown District.

15.

Code Requirements. All structures shall meet the requirements of all adopted codes in effect including, but not limited to, Building Code, Plumbing Code, Electrical Code, Fire Prevention Code, and Housing Code. Where such codes exceed the minimum requirements of this Ordinance, the stricter provisions shall apply.

16.

Fire Safety Requirements. Accessibility for firefighting equipment on an all-weather surface shall be maintained throughout all stages of construction. Fire hydrants shall be installed in accordance with Standards for Water and Sewer in Chapter VIII of the Land Development Ordinance.

17.

Zoning to Apply When Lot is Divided by Zoning District Boundary Line. In the event that a district boundary line on the Zoning Map divides a lot of record held in one (1) ownership on the date of passage of this Ordinance, each part of the lot so divided shall be used in conformity with the regulations established by this Ordinance for the district in which each such parcel is located; however, that if the property owner of such a lot so desires, he may extend a use allowed on the greatest portion of said lot one hundred (100) feet beyond the district boundary line in accordance with setbacks and yard requirements.

18.

Side and Rear Yards May Not Be Required Next to Railroad. Within any non-residential district, the Development Process Committee in its review of the site plan may waive the side and rear yard requirements when adjacent to the railroad rights-of-way if they determine the waiver will not adversely affect the area.

19.

Permitted Encroachment of Yards and Setbacks. Architectural features such as cornices, eaves, steps, chimneys, gutters, and fire escapes may project no more than three (3) feet beyond any required setback line, except where such projections would obstruct driveways, which are or may be used for access for service and/or emergency vehicles; provided, however, that in the case of automobile service stations, motels, and similar uses which service the motoring public canopies shall be allowed over a driveway or walkway within the front yard not to extend from the principal building to a point any closer than fifteen (15) feet from the street right-of-way line.

20.

State Department of Transportation Approval. All entrances or exits of any street or drive from or to any State highway shall be approved by the State Department of Transportation prior to the construction of such street or drive, or in the issuance of any building permit for any improvement to be served by such street or drive.

21.

Accessory Use Requirements. The following requirements apply to accessory uses and structures regarding yard requirements.

a.

Such structures shall not be permitted in any required front yard.

b.

Where a corner lot adjoins in the rear of residential use, no accessory building shall be located closer to the side street right-of-way line than the principal building or closer than five (5) feet to the rear property line.

c.

No garage nor other accessory building shall be located closer than five (5) feet to a side or rear lot line.

d.

When an accessory building is attached to the principal building by a breezeway, passageway or similar means, it shall comply with the yard requirements of the principal building to which it is accessory.

e.

Filling station pumps and pump islands, where permitted, may occupy the required yards, provided that they are not less than fifteen (15) feet from the street right-of-way.

f.

Accessory uses and structures in an apartment development may include, but shall not be limited to, fitness centers and laundry facilities for the convenience of residents. All accessory structures in an apartment development shall be of construction equal to and compatible with the principal use structures and shall meet principal use setback requirements.

g.

Swimming pools shall be enclosed by a fence of a minimum height of five (5) feet with all gates containing a self-closing, positive latch device to ensure that the pool is enclosed at all times.

h.

Satellite dish antennas shall be prohibited on the roofs of structures and in the front yards. When the dishes are placed in the side yard they shall meet the side yard setback requirements of the respective zoning districts.

i.

For Accessory Dwelling Unit Requirements, see Section 7.523.

22.

Lighting Strips. Lighting strips, lighting injection modules, LEDs or other continuous or connected series of lights shall not be used to outline individual windows, glass curtain walls, large glass sheets, doors, signs, or other architectural features of the building exterior. Rope or other connected series of lights intended for use as temporary holiday decoration shall be exempt from this section between the months of October and January.

(Ord. No. 5840-2019, § 1(Exh. A), 6-10-2019; Ord. No. 7205-2021, § 1(Exh. A), 6-14-2021; Ord. No. 990-2024, § 3, 6-10-2024)