Gainesville › Unified Land Development Code

Article 11 — Subdivisions and Land Development, Chapter 11-7 — IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS GENERALLY

current as of 2025-12-16verified current · checked 2026-08-24Officialofficial source ↗10 sections · full chapter

§ 11-7-1

Applicability

The improvements specified in this chapter shall be provided by the subdivider or developer or at the subdivider's or developer's expense in every subdivision or land development in accordance with the standards contained in this article and Code.

§ 11-7-2

Survey Monumentation

Survey monumentation of the public streets and lot lines in a subdivision shall be provided, where applicable. See also Section 11-3-10 of this Code.

§ 11-7-3

Streets

Streets, whether public or private, shall provide access to a development and to all lots in a subdivision, including the extension of streets required to provide access to adjoining properties.

(a)Streets contained wholly within a subdivision shall be improved to the full standards contained in Chapter 11-8. Streets that adjoin a development shall be improved to the minimum standards of a local street from the center line of the street along the development's frontage.

(b)Streets in nonresidential areas or serving a multi-family development shall be improved to "collector" street standards. In residential subdivisions, streets that serve 100 dwelling units or more shall be improved to "collector" street standards, while those serving fewer than 100 dwelling units shall be improved to "local" street standards.

(c)The city may participate in sharing the costs of construction and installation to the extent that improvements are needed to bring an existing public street to a higher level of classification than required to exclusively serve the subdivision or development.

(d)Curb and gutter shall be required along all streets and internal roadways, unless stormwater is directed to a stormwater best management practice via a curb cut or other means, and approval has been given by the Department of Water Resources.

Stormwater Facilities

Stormwater drainage and detention facilities shall be provided as required by the Public Works Director and in accordance with Chapter 11-11 and other provisions contained in this code.

§ 11-7-5

Sidewalks

Minimum five-foot wide sidewalks shall be provided along each side of any street within or adjacent to the development, in accordance with Section 11-8-26.

§ 11-7-6

Traffic Control Devices

Street name signs, traffic control signs, and all pavement markings shall be installed by the developer at the developer’s expense. See also Section 11-8-25.

§ 11-7-7

Water Service

(a)Water service shall be provided to every lot in a subdivision and to every development for both domestic use and fire protection, as more specifically provided in Chapter 11-10.

(b)Water mains shall be connected to the existing city water system and extended past each lot. A contractor approved by the city shall install all elements of the water system, including mains, valves and hydrants at the developer's expense. The governing body may elect to participate in sharing the costs of construction and installation to the extent that pipe sizes are needed in excess of that size required to exclusively serve the subdivision or development.

§ 11-7-8

Fire Hydrants

Fire hydrants shall be located along the streets in every subdivision and within every development project, as approved by the city fire department and the Department of Water Resources.

§ 11-7-9

Sanitary Sewerage

(a)Every lot in a subdivision and every development shall be connected to the city's public sanitary sewerage system unless on-site disposal is approved by the Department of Water Resources and the Hall County Environmental Health Department. Sewer lines shall be connected to the existing sanitary sewerage system and extended past each lot, as more specifically provided in Chapter 11-10.

(b)Every element of the sanitary sewer system, including mains, lift stations, outfalls, and laterals, shall be installed at the developer's expense by a contractor approved by the city. The governing body may elect to participate in sharing the costs of construction and installation to the extent that sewer mains or related improvements are needed in excess of the facilities required to exclusively serve the subdivision or development.

§ 11-7-10

Design Variance

The Director of Community and Economic Development, Director of Public Works, Director of Water Resources and other department Directors as appropriate are authorized to, upon application, approve variances to the design requirements of this article, for design elements under each department’s purview, and for good cause shown. Such application for variance shall be processed in conjunction with a preliminary plat application or land development permit application as appropriate. The applicant may be required to secure approval of variance from other agencies if they are affected by (or have jurisdiction over) the improvements. Possible agencies are listed in Section 11-6-16.