Atlanta › Land Development Code — Part III
Part 16, Chapter 16 — I-1 Light Industrial District Regulations
§ 16-16.001
Scope of provisions.
Sec. 16-16.001. Scope of provisions.
The regulations set forth in this chapter, or set forth elsewhere in this part when referred to in this chapter, are the regulations in the I-1 Light Industrial District. (Code 1977, § 16-16.001)
§ 16-16.002
Statement of intent.
Sec. 16-16.002. Statement of intent.
The intent of this chapter in establishing the I-1 Industrial District is as follows:
(1)To provide locations for wholesaling, warehousing, storage, light manufacturing, processing, repair services, and sales lots, in addition to other retail and service establishments.
(2)To create, expand or extend such districts only where there is adequate and direct access to major transportation facilities and where there is minimal conflict with residential districts.
(3)To permit dwellings or lodging units as accessory to permitted principal uses.
(4)To permit the conversion of industrial buildings which are 50 years of age or older to multi-family dwellings so as to promote the city's policy of permitting combined living and work space in suitable locations.
(Code 1977, § 16-16.002; Ord. No. 1996-39, § 1.B, C, 6-24-96)
§ 16-16.003
Permitted principal uses and structures.
Sec. 16-16.003. Permitted principal uses and structures.
A building or premises shall be used only for the following principal purposes:
(1)Adult businesses as defined in section 16-29.001(3). See section 16-28.016 for locational requirements.
(2)Conversion of existing industrial buildings which are 50 years of age or older to banks, savings and loan associations, and similar financial institutions.
(3)Broadcasting towers, line-of-sight relay devices for telephonic, radio or television communications when located 200 feet or more from any off-site residential districts or residential use not located within an industrial district, and when such towers or devices are greater than 200 feet in height, when located a distance which is greater than or equal to the height of the tower or device from a residential district or residential use which is not in an industrial district.
(4)Business service establishments, including those providing duplicating, printing, maintenance, communications, addressing, mailing, bookkeeping, or guard services.
(5)Clubs and lodges, union halls, hiring halls.
(6)Places of worship.
(7)Conversion of existing industrial buildings which are 50 years of age or older to eating and drinking establishments, including those licensed for the onpremises consumption of malt beverages, wine and/or distilled spirits and those with drive-in service; catering establishments, delicatessens, bakeries.
(8)Manufacturing, wholesaling, repairing, compounding, assembly, processing, preparation, packaging or treatment of articles, components, products, clothing, machines and appliances and the like, where character of operations, emissions and by-products do not create adverse effects beyond the boundaries of the property. This use does not include the preparation, processing, canning or packaging of food products as contemplated by the definitions of commercial food preparation or deliverybased commercial kitchens. Use of heavy drop hammers, punch presses or other machinery; or processing methods creating excessive noise or vibration is prohibited in this district.
(9)Offices, clinics (including veterinary), laboratories, studios.
(10)Parking surface and structures.
(11)Professional and personal service establishments.
(12)Conversion of existing industrial buildings which are 50 years of age or older to recreational establishments.
(13)Repair garages, paint and body shops, welding shops.
(14)Conversion of existing industrial buildings which are 50 years of age or older to retail establishments, including those with sales or display lots or storage lots.
(15)Sales and leasing agencies for new and used passenger automobiles, bicycles, mopeds and commercial vehicles.
(16)Service stations, battery exchange stations and car washes, provided that no service station may be located within 1,500 feet of another service station.
(17)General advertising signs subject to the limitations contained in section 16-16.006(1) in chapter 28A of this part.
(18)Structures and uses required for operation of MARTA or a public utility, including uses involving extensive storage and railway rights-of-way and yards.
(19)Trade schools, colleges and universities.
(20)Warehousing, self-storage facilities, distribution centers, facilities except when any part of the property is within 500 feet of the beltline corridor as defined in City Code section 16-36.007. An existing self-storage facility within 500 feet of the beltline corridor may be redeveloped at its existing floor area ratio and consistent with the requirements of this part.
(21)Yards for storage of contractor's equipment; sand and gravel; lumber and the like but specifically excluding junkyards, salvage yards and scrap metal processors.
(22)Conversion of existing industrial buildings which are 50 years of age or older to hotels.
(23)Conversion of existing industrial buildings which are 50 years of age or older to one-family, two-family, or multi-family dwellings.
(24)Conversion of existing industrial buildings which are 50 years of age or older to supportive housing.
(25)Urban gardens.
(26)Market gardens.
(27)The use of a building or premises as a party house is expressly prohibited.
(28)Short-term rentals, subject to the regulations in Atlanta City Code section 20-1001.
(29)Commercial food preparation. Provided, however, that use of heavy drop hammers, punch presses or other machinery; or processing methods creating excessive noise or vibration is prohibited in this district.
(30)Vape shop provided that no vape shop may be located within 1,000 feet of another vape shop, nor may a vape shop be located within 1,000 feet of any elementary or secondary schools, child care nurseries, day care centers, prekindergartens, kindergartens, play and other special schools or day care facilities for young children.
(Code 1977, § 16-16.003; Ord. No. 1995-69, § 5, 11-13-95; Ord. No. 1996-39, § 1.A, 6-24-96; Ord. No. 2001-96, § XXXVI, 12-12-01; Ord. No. 200521, §§ 1, 2, 3-25-05; Ord. No. 2005-41(06-O0381), § 19, 7-12-05; Ord. No. 2009-24(08-O1251), § 2I, 6-9-09; Ord. No. 2009-61(09-O-1076), § 1(2), 10-13-09; Ord. No. 2014-53(14-O-1278), § 2(Attach. B), 12-10-14; Ord. No. 2014-22(14-O1092), § 2-S, 6-11-14; Ord. No. 2017-68(17-O1159), § 4, 11-29-17; Ord. No. 2019-09(18-O1581), § 3.A, 1-31-19; Ord. No. 2019-20(18-O1679), § 6, 3-13-19; Ord. No. 2020-58(19-O1393), § 22, 10-28-20; Ord. No. 2021-60(21-O0682), § 20, 12-15-21; Ord. No. 2023-01(22-O-
1209), §§ 3a, 3b, 1-26-23; Ord. No. 2023-18(23O-1058), § 1, 6-14-23; Ord. No. 2025-26 (25-O1098), § 8, 7-7-25)
§ 16-16.004
Permitted accessory uses and structures.
Sec. 16-16.004. Permitted accessory uses and structures.
Structures and uses which are customarily accessory and clearly incidental to permitted principal uses and structures subject to general or specific limitations applying within the district.
(1)Devices for the generation of energy such as solar panels, wind generators and similar devices including electric vehicle charging stations equipped with Level 1 Level 2 and/or DC Fast Charge EVSE.
(2)Dwelling or lodging units for watchmen or caretakers requiring living quarters on the premises shall be permitted only as accessory uses. This provision does not apply to those dwellings specifically authorized in this district as a permitted principal use or structure.
(3)Eating and drinking establishments provided they are integrated into the permitted principal use and structure of which they are accessory and are not physically separated from said use and structure except by interior walls or partitions.
(4)Retail establishments provided they are integrated into the permitted principal use and structure of which they are accessory and are not physically separated from said use and structure except by interior walls or partitions.
(Code 1977, § 16-16.004; Ord. No. 2014-53(14-O1278), § 2(Attach. B), 12-10-14; Ord. No. 201909(18-O-1581), § 3.B, 1-31-19)
§ 16-16.005
Special permits.
Sec. 16-16.005. Special permits.
The following uses are permissible only by special permits of the kinds indicated, subject to limitations and requirements set forth herein or elsewhere in this part:
(1)Special use permits:
(a)Cemetery and mausoleum.
(b)Extraction or removal of sand, gravel, topsoil, clay, dirt or other natural resources.
(c)Outdoor amusement enterprises, exhibits, entertainments, meetings, displays or sales areas or outdoor areas for religious ceremonies of 90 days' or more duration.
(d)Sanitary landfills.
(e)Terminals, freight, rail, bus or truck, when erected or operated by other than a governmental agency.
(f)Truck stops: Provided that no truck stop shall be located within 1,000 feet of any other truck stop nor within 1,000 feet of any public or private school, any public or private park or recreation facility, any public or private hospital or mental health care facility, any church or similar place of religious worship, any cemetery, any child care or day care facility or any residential districts.
(g)Bingo parlors.
(h)Broadcasting towers, line-of-sight relay devices for telephonic, radio or television communications when located within 200 feet of any offsite residential districts or residential use not located within an industrial district, and when such towers or devices are greater than 200 feet in height, when located a distance which is less than or equal to the height of the tower or device from a residential district or residential use which is not in an industrial district in accordance with the provisions of sections 16-25.002 and 16-25.003.
(i)Single-room occupancy residences (SROs).
(j)Roominghouses.
(k)Compost facility.
(l)Materials recovery facility.
(m)Municipal solid waste disposal facility.
(n)Processing operation facility.
(o)Solid waste handling facility.
(p)Shelter.
(q)Recovered materials processing facility.
(r)ATV parks. ATV parks shall have at least 10 acres of land. No ATV park shall be located within 3000 feet of any residential district. Distance shall be measured in a straight line from the nearest lot line of the ATV park to the nearest lot line of a residential district.
(2)Special administrative permits:
(a)Outdoor amusement enterprises, exhibits, entertainments, meetings, displays or sales areas, or outdoor areas for religious ceremonies of less than 90 days' duration.
(b)New or additional uses of existing broadcasting towers and line-ofsight relay devices for telephonic, radio, or television communications that are required to get a special use permit as contemplated by section 16-16.005(1)(h).
(c)Farmers' markets.
(d)Reduction of parking requirements may be permitted by the director of the office of zoning and development subject to a shared parking arrangement under the following criteria:
i.The arrangement shall avoid conflicting parking demands and provide for safe pedestrian circulation and access;
ii.All shared parking spaces shall be clearly marked; and
iii.An applicant shall submit the following information as part of the application to reduce parking requirements and avoid conflicting parking demands: a. A to-scale map indicating location of proposed parking spaces;
b.Hours of business operation of nonresidential parking users;
c.Written consent of property owners agreeing to the shared parking arrangement;
d.Copies of parking leases. Renewed leases shall be filed with the bureau of planning. Lapse of a required lease agreement shall terminate the special administrative permit for shared parking.
(3)Special exceptions: None. (Code 1977, § 16-16.005; Ord. No. 1993-54, § 1, 12-13-93; Ord. No. 1995-02, § 1, 1-11-95; Ord. No. 1995-69, § 6, 11-13-95; Ord. No. 1996-19, § 4, 5-13-96; Ord. No. 1996-39, § 1.E, G, 6-24-96; Ord. No. 1999-80, § 1, 11-9-99; Ord. No. 200196, § XXXIV, 12-12-01; Ord. No. 2008-62(06-O0038), § 6G, 7-7-08; Ord. No. 2009-24(08-O1251), § 2I(2), 6-9-09; Ord. No. 2011-39(10-O1773), § 3S, 9-15-11; Ord. No. 2015-59(15-O1302), § 2, 11-25-15; Ord. No. 2017-05(16-O1428), § 2, 1-26-17; Ord. No. 2019-09(18-O1581), § 7.G, 1-31-19)
§ 16-16.006
Transitional uses, structures, requirements.
Sec. 16-16.006. Transitional uses, structures, requirements.
(1)Transitional uses: Where a lot in this district abuts a lot in any R-1 through R-G district at the side along the same street frontage, and without an intervening street, the first lot within this district, or the first 100 feet of such lot if it is wider than 100 feet, shall not be used for any drive-in facility, service station, mortuary or funeral home, sales lot for automobiles, or general advertising sign, repair garage, or paint or body shop.
(2)Transitional height planes.
(a)No portion of any structure shall protrude through a height limiting plane beginning the specified number of feet above the point set forth in subsection 16-16.006(2)(b) below and extending inward over the I-1 district at an angle of 45 degrees. The following districts shall be considered "protected districts" for purposes of this section 16-16.006(2):
i.R-1 through R-5;
ii.RG-1 and RG-2;
iii.MR-1, MR-2, and MR-MU; and
iv.Landmark, Historic, PD, and SPI districts and district subareas having uses and densities predominantly similar to those permitted in the district classifications listed in subsections (i) through (iii) above.
(b)Proximity to districts and measurement applications:
i.For parcels in an I-1 district that are contiguous to a protected district, the transitional height plane shall be measured beginning 35 feet above the required I-1 setback or transitional yard adjoining the common property line with such protected district.
ii.For parcels in an I-1 district that are not contiguous to but are within 150 feet of a protected district, the transitional height plane shall be measured beginning 15 feet above the nearest lot line of the protected district, provided this transitional height plane shall not extend more than 150 linear feet (measured along the ground) from the protected district up to and into the I-1 district. (See diagrams at section 16-29.001(62).)
(c)The purpose and intent of this provision is to provide protection for the named protected districts from nearby looming structures regardless of the presence of an intervening public right-of-way or park or space, public or private street or alley, or any lot or parcel remnant.
(d)Transitional height plane measurements shall be applied to parcels on a point-bypoint basis and not average grade.
(3)Transitional yards:
(a)Side yard: Adjacent to an R district without an intervening street, 20 feet is required which shall not be paved or used for parking or servicing.
(b)Rear yard: There shall be a rear yard of 20 feet adjacent to an R district which shall not be paved or used for parking or servicing.
(c)Screening: Where a lot in this district abuts a lot in an R-1 through R-G district on the rear or side yard lot line without an intervening street, opaque fencing or screening not less than six feet in height shall be provided and maintained in sightly condition. See section 16-28.008(9). (Code 1977, § 16-16.006; Ord. No. 2019-09(18-O1581), § 10.7, 1-31-19)
§ 16-16.007
Development controls.
Sec. 16-16.007. Development controls.
These requirements shall apply to all uses approved by special permits as well as permitted uses:
(1)Bulk limitations: Floor area shall not exceed an amount equal to 2.0 times net land area.
(2)Minimum lot width, area, all uses: No fixed minimum lot widths or areas are established for these districts, but lot dimensions shall be sufficient to meet other requirements set forth herein.
(3)Minimum yard requirements:
(a)Front: 40 feet.
(b)Side: Adjacent to a street, half the required front yard, as generally provided. If a building is not built to the lot line, it shall be set back from the lot line at least five feet. For uses adjacent to residential districts, see transitional uses and structures, section 16-16.006.
(4)Minimum open space requirements: The standard ratios for total open space (TOSR) and usable open space (UOSR) on Table 1 "Land Use Intensity Ratios" shall apply to multi-family dwellings, boarding houses containing quarters for five or more persons, and single-room occupancy (SRO) residences according to the nearest floor area ratio (FAR) shown on Table 1 to the actual floor area ratio (FAR) for the development.
(Code 1977, § 16-16.007; Ord. No. 1996-39, § 1.F, 6-24-96)
§ 16-16.008
Maximum height limitations.
Sec. 16-16.008. Maximum height limitations.
None, except as required in section 16-16.006. (Code 1977, § 16-16.008)
§ 16-16.009
Off-street parking minimum requirements.
Sec. 16-16.009. Off-street parking minimum requirements.
The following parking requirements shall apply to all uses approved by special permits as well as permitted uses (see section 16-28.014 and also section 16-28.015 for loading requirements):
(1)Banks, savings and loan associations, and similar financial institutions: One space per 200 square feet.
(2)Business service establishments: One space per 200 square feet.
(3)Clubs, lodges, union halls, hiring halls: One space per 300 square feet.
(4)Eating and drinking establishments, delicatessens, retail sales: One space for each 100 square feet of floor area. Where an eating and drinking establishment derives more than 60 percent of its gross income from the sale of malt beverages, wine and/or distilled spirits, it shall be required to have one space for each 75 square feet of floor area. Floor area shall include, in addition to those areas defined in section 16-29.001(13)(b), areas within the existing building footprint where walls have been removed and a permanent roof remains.
(5)Manufacturing, warehousing and distribution centers: One space per 600 square feet or each two employees on the peak working shift whichever is greater.
(6)Office, clinics (other than veterinary), laboratories, studios: One space per 300 square feet.
(7)Veterinary clinics: One space per 600 square feet.
(8)Bowling alleys, pool halls, billiard parlors, amusement arcades, peep shows: One space per 100 square feet.
(9)Repair garages, paint and body shops, welding shops: One (1) space per 200 square feet.
(10)Retail establishments, except as otherwise specifically classified: One space per 200 square feet.
(11)Car washes: See section 16-28.021.
(12)Wholesaling: One space per 400 square feet.
(13)Schools, colleges, churches, recreational or community centers and other places of assembly: One space for each four fixed seats, with 18 inches of bench length counted as one seat, or one space for each 35 square feet of enclosed floor area for the accommodation of movable seats in the largest assembly room, whichever is greater, plus the following:
(a)Public or private elementary or middle school: Two spaces for each classroom.
(b)High school: Four spaces for each classroom.
(c)Colleges and universities: Eight spaces for each classroom.
(d)Trade schools: One space for each 200 square feet.
(14)Repair establishments: One space per 200 square feet.
(15)Hotels and motels: One space per rental unit plus one-half space per employee; one space per 100 square feet of restaurant/lounge gross leasable area; one space per 300 square feet of other convention facilities (GLA).
(16)Multi-family dwellings: One space per dwelling unit.
(17)Roominghouses: One space per dwelling unit.
(18)Single-room occupancy residences: One space for each two dwelling units one space for each employee.
(19)Accessory outdoor dining: Limited to 25 percent of the total gross floor area of the building or business with no parking requirements; over 25 percent must provide one space per 200 s.f. of the total accessory outdoor dining area including the 25 percent non-exempt floor area. Where an establishment derives more than 60 percent of its gross income from the sale of malt beverages, wine and/or distilled spirits, it shall be required to have one space for each 150 s.f. of the total accessory outdoor dining area including the 25 percent non-exempt floor area.
(20)Shelter: One parking space for each on duty staff member, whether paid or unpaid. In addition to staff parking, a space of sufficient size is required for each van, bus or other vehicle used by the facility and one additional parking space shall be provided for each 2,000 square feet of the facility.
(21)Self-storage facilities: One space per 50 individual units/compartments plus one space for each employee on the peak working shift.
(22)Commercial food preparation: One space per 600 square feet or each two employees on the peak working shift whichever is greater.
(Code 1977, § 16-16.009; Ord. No. 1996-39, § 1.D, 6-24-96; Ord. No. 1996-59, § 8, 8-26-96; Ord. No. 2002-26, § 8, 3-14-02; Ord. No. 2005-41(06-O0381), §§ 20, 21, 7-12-05; Ord. No. 2008-62(06O-0038), § 6G(1), 7-7-08; Ord. No. 2009-24(08-O1251), § 2I(3), 6-9-09; Ord. No. 2009-61(09-O1076), §§ 1(3), (4), 10-13-09; Ord. No. 2023-01(22O-1209), § 3c, 1-26-23)
§ 16-16.010
Sidewalks.
Sec. 16-16.010. Sidewalks.
(1)Public sidewalks shall be located along all public streets and shall consist of two zones: an amenity zone and a walk zone.
(2)Amenity zone requirements: The amenity zone shall be located immediately adjacent to the curb. Width shall be measured from back (building side) of curb to the walk zone. Minimum width shall be five feet. This zone is reserved for the placement of street trees and street furniture including utility and light poles, public art, waste receptacles, fire hydrants, traffic signs, traffic control boxes, newspaper boxes, transit shelters and similar elements in a manner that does not obstruct pedestrian access or motorist visibility. Such elements, where installed, shall be of a type specified by the director in accordance with uniform design standards for placement of such objects in the public right-of-way.
(3)Walk zone requirements: The walk zone shall be located immediately contiguous to the amenity zone and shall be a continuous hardscape for a minimum width of 10 feet for arterial and collector streets and six feet for all other streets. Said zones shall contain a consistent cross-slope not exceeding two percent. No fixed elements, including pole mounted signage, traffic control boxes or other utility structures, shall be placed above ground in the walk zone for a minimum height of eight feet.
(4)Paving: All sidewalk paving shall be of a type specified in accordance with uniform design standards for placement of such objects in the public right-of-way. Any existing decorative hardscape treatment of sidewalks, including amenity zone and sidewalk walk zone areas, shall be retained as part of any new development or replaced with materials that match in size, shape, and color.
(5)Street tree planting requirements: Street trees are required and shall be planted in the ground within the amenity zone and spaced equidistance and on-center between street lights a maximum of 40 feet apart. All newly planted trees shall be single-stemmed at a minimum of three inches in caliper (measured 36 inches above ground), shall be a minimum of 12 feet in height at the time of planting and shall be limbed up to a minimum height of seven feet. Trees shall be planted with a minimum of 40 square feet of evergreen ground cover such as mondo grass or liriope spicata. All tree plantings, replacement and removal shall be approved by the city arborist.
(6)Pedestrian and street lights shall be placed equidistant and on-center between required street trees within the amenity zone.
(7)Where property within the district abuts an R district without an intervening street, the sidewalk area within 20 feet of such districts shall taper when necessary to provide a smooth transition to the existing R districts sidewalk. In the event that the abutting R district has no existing sidewalk the sidewalk shall taper to a width of six feet, measured from the street curb, or as approved by the Director of the Office of Zoning and Development.
(8)Adjustments to the sidewalk requirements may be permitted by the Director of the Office of Zoning and Development upon a finding that one or more of the site conditions set forth in subsections (8)(a) through (8)(f) below are present on the site. The applicant requesting the adjustment must provide documentation establishing the presence of the site condition(s) relied upon. If the adjustment results in the waiver of the sidewalk requirement on the site, the applicant shall construct sidewalks of equal or greater length along adjoining streets in a specific location approved by the Director.
a.Trees exist within the proposed sidewalk zone having a diameter at breast height (DBH) of six inches or more;
b.Topographic conditions exist that would locate the proposed sidewalk walk zone 12 or more inches above or below the top surface of the finished curb;
c.Topographic conditions exist that would prevent driveway access to the property upon completion of the proposed sidewalk;
d.Physical conditions exist such as existing structures, existing utility devices, or rock outcroppings that obstruct the installation of the proposed sidewalk;
e.The existence of an overlay zoning district pursuant to chapter 20 of part 16, an Overlay SPI District, or the BeltLine Overlay District; or
f.Sidewalk improvements for the proposed sidewalk zone that are planned, approved, and publicly-funded by the City of Atlanta.
(Ord. No. 2018-11(18-O-1023), § 12.M, 5-16-18)
§ 16-16.011
Off-street loading requirements.
Sec. 16-16.011. Off-street loading requirements.
The off-street loading requirements for this district are as shown in table of loading requirements, chapter 28, section 16-28.015. (Code 1977, § 16-16.011)
CHAPTER 16A. I-MIX INDUSTIAL MIXED USE DISTRICT REGULATIONS