ZONING                                                                                                            

 

Zoning laws are created to protect the health, safety and general welfare of people as it relates to land use. Enjoyment and value of property is protected by creating land use laws by and for the people who reside in a community. 

 

 

OUR CITY ZONING LAW REVISED AND ADOPTED DECEMBER 8, 2020

 

After more than a year, the City of South Fulton revised the city’s zoning ordinance (law). The City’s goal was to develop a clear and user-friendly Zoning Ordinance consistent with adopted plans and policies and reflects the changing environment. Emphasis was placed on providing a more predictable set of land use regulations and improving the efficiency of the land development process.

​It is up to you, our constituents, to read the revision and determine if the goal was achieved, the same as you should for anything that your elected officials vote on, bring to the table and champion.  You have to know what you’re reading and how important it is. Hold us accountable!  I asked you to hold me accountable when I ran for office.

ATTEND ZONING AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SESSIONS HELD BY THE CITY AND/OR DISTRICT 4.  I WILL INFORM YOU.  REMEMBER ZONING DETERMINES WHAT GOES ON LAND AN WHERE.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CANNOT BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT KNOWING AND USING ZONING.  ZONING NEEDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO BE USEFUL

 

Attached is the link to the revised zoning law:

https://www.cityofsouthfultonga.gov/2658/Zoning-Ordinance-Rewrite

 

ZONING ARTICLES IN THE ORDINANCE (LAW) – A SUMMARY

Article 1 is an intro to the Zoning Ordinance. It describes the purpose and establishes specific exemptions in the regulations including legal nonconformities. This article also outlines the structure for administering and interpreting the Zoning Ordinance.

 

Article 2 includes all the zoning districts in the Zoning Ordinance and identifies the principal uses allowed in each district by law, approved by City Council as a special use, or are prohibited.  It also includes additional restrictions for certain uses. Accessory and temporary uses allowed in zoning districts are also included.

 

Article 3 has specific use and development regulations that apply to certain land uses (principal, accessory and temporary). These uses are allowed either by-right or upon approval by City Council as a special use and are included in use tables in Article 2.

 

Article 4 organizes and updates standards for lot sizes, density, dimensions, setbacks and similar standards currently in the Zoning Ordinance.  It also includes specific reference to South Fulton Subdivision Regulations which shall no longer be included in the zoning ordinance but shall remain in effect as a separate regulations document, allowing modifications to Subdivision Regulations outside of the zoning process.

 

Article 5 consolidates all current overlay district standards including: the existing overlay district provisions, enhancements such as overlay district area maps, and revisions where warranted.  During the Zoning Ordinance Revision, technical analysis and stakeholder input resulted in slight modifications to respond to technical issues and facilitate desired quality of development.  Standards are being made citywide.

 

Article 6 organizes detailed standards and requirements that regulate the location, design and quantity of off-street parking and loading facilities for every use located in the city.

 

Article 7 provides the types of signs that may be placed on a property, and regulates their size, number, and placement.  Both permanent and temporary signs are addressed.

 

Article 8 organizes requirements applicants must follow to request a rezoning, special use approval and variance. Associated processes for use and development of a property are also addressed including the issuance of administrative permits and building permits.

 

Article 9 presents definitions applicable to the entire Zoning Ordinance.

Article 10 focuses on land use and development standards for individual zoning districts that are not active but continue to apply to properties zoned in those classifications. No additional parcels will be rezoned here.

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Article 10 focuses on land use and development standards for individual zoning districts that are not active but continue to apply to properties zoned in those classifications. No additional parcels will be rezoned here.