Article 9 — Use Provisions, Chapter 9-1 — GENERAL

Residential Uses
All household
living, as listed
below:
Occupancy of a dwelling by a household.
A site-built residential building, or a single-
family residential industrialized building,
designed for occupancy by one household.
Each dwelling shall be located on its own lot.
This term does not include manufactured
homes or mobile homes.
Section 9-4-1(a)
A building containing three or more attached
dwelling units under fee simple or
condominium ownership.
Section 9-4-1(b)
Live-work SU SU SU P
A dwelling unit that includes nonresidential
activity conducted wholly within the unit that
allows employees, customers, clients, or
patrons to visit.
Section 9-4-1(c)
Multi-family
dwelling P P SU SU P
A building or lot occupied exclusively by three
or more households with separate facilities for
each household. This term includes attached
residential condominiums and apartments.
Section 9-4-1(d)
Two-family
dwelling P P SU SU
A building designed or arranged to be
occupied by two households living
independently of each other. Includes two
dwellings on one lot or attached dwellings.
Section 9-4-1(e)
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A detached, site-built single-family dwelling or
single-family residential industrialized building
that is moved or disassembled into more than
one structure and moved to another site,
whether temporarily or permanently.
Section 9-4-2
All group living,
as listed below:
Residential occupancy of a structure by a
group of people which does not meet the
definition of household living. Generally,
group living facilities have a common eating
area for residents, and residents may receive
care or training.
A residential facility providing multiple,
comprehensive services to older adults. Such
facilities normally contain a combination of
independent living units, assisted living, and
skilled nursing care units.
Section 9-4-3(a)
Crisis center SU SU SU SU SU SU P P P
A facility, or portion thereof, and premises that
are used for the purposes of emergency
shelter or crisis intervention, including
counseling, referral, hotline response, and
similar human social service functions. Said
facility may include meal preparation,
distribution, or service for residents of the
center as well as nonresidents, merchandise
distribution, or shelter, including boarding,
lodging, or residential care. This term includes
domestic violence centers, homeless shelters,
and halfway houses.
Group living officially affiliated with but not
operated by an accredited college or
university, private school, or religious
institution.
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A single household of five or more unrelated
persons with or without disabilities, regardless
of whether they are under the supervision of a
resident manager.
Section 9-4-
3(b)
An umbrella term that encompasses the
following uses: assisted living facility,
convalescent home, personal care home,
intermediate care home, nursing home, and
skilled nursing care facility.
Section 9-4-3(c)
A residential home holding a valid registration
certificate from the State of Georgia as a
maternity supportive housing residence that
houses, on behalf of a non-profit organization,
up to 6 pregnant women aged 18 years or
older and their minor children at any one time
during the woman’s pregnancy and up to 18
months after childbirth, provided, however,
that no medical services may be provided.
This term does not include:
i. A child welfare agency as defined in
O.C.G.A. § 49-5-12;
ii. The residential home of a relative in which
a woman receives maternity care; or
iii. A general or special hospital.
Rooming
house SU SU SU SU SU SU P
A site-built single-family dwelling unit or
single-family residential industrialized building
within which a resident family or manager
offers lodging or lodging and meals to two or
more unrelated adults in exchange for
monetary compensation or other
consideration.
Section 9-4-
3(d)
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
Public and Institutional Uses
Place of worship P P P P P P P P P P P P
A building or structure, or group of buildings
or structures, which by design and
construction are primarily intended for
conducting organized religious services. This
term includes churches, synagogues, temples,
and other places of worship.
Section 9-5-1
Club or lodge,
private SU SU SU SU SU P P P P P P P
A building or premises, used for associations
or organizations of an educational, fraternal,
or social character, not operated or
maintained for profit. Includes places of
assembly for organizations like Elks, Kiwanis,
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Rotary Clubs, and
for youth activities. The term does not include
casinos, nightclubs, bottle clubs, or other
establishments operated or maintained for
profit.
Section 9-5-2
A privately owned facility having significance
by reason of its architecture or former use or
occupancy, or a building serving as a
repository for a collection of books, natural,
scientific, literary curiosities or objects of
interest, or works of art, and arranged,
intended and designed to be viewed by
members of the public, with or without an
admission fee, and which may include as an
accessory use the sale of goods to the public
or as gifts or for their own use.
Parks and open
space, as listed
below
Uses focusing on natural areas for use by the
public for passive or active outdoor
recreation.
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
The use of property as a burial place for
human or animal remains. Does not include
cremation services.
Conservation
area P P P P P P P P P P P P Any area set aside for conservation of the land
in its natural state.
Golf course SU SU SU SU
A tract of land laid out with at least 9 holes for
playing golf and improved with tees, greens,
fairways, and hazards. May include a country
club or driving range as an accessory use.
Does not include miniature golf.
Marina SU P P
A facility for the mooring, berthing, storing, or
securing of watercraft. May include boat sales,
boat fuel sales, boat construction, boat repair,
marine equipment sales, boat and jet ski
rental, and other uses clearly incidental to
watercraft activities.
Park, plaza, or
square P P P P P P P P P P P P
A property used for noncommercial outdoor
assembly, enjoyment, play, recreation, or
natural resource protection. Often includes
seating, walking paths, trails, recreational
equipment, fields and courts used for sports,
and swimming pools. Such uses may include
food or recreational sales accessory to the
primary use.
Privately owned and operated facility that
provides educational services to students.
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A private educational use for students at the
pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle, or high
school level, which has a curriculum at least
equal to a public school within the state of
Georgia.
A private education use that provides post-
secondary education to students. Typical
examples include colleges or universities,
community colleges, seminaries, and artistic
or vocational schools.
Commercial
school P P P P P P P
A private educational institution that is
affiliated with a commercial or industrial use
and teaches skills using heavy machinery;
conducts a commercial enterprise, such as a
driving school; or a similar school that does
not offer a complete education curriculum.
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
Any building, structure, or use owned or
operated by the federal government, state of
Georgia, Hall County or other County, the City
of Gainesville, another municipality, or any
authority, agency, board, or commission of the
above governments, that is necessary to serve
a public purpose, including but not limited to
the following: government administrative
buildings; public colleges or universities; trade
school; public schools; post offices; police and
fire stations; publicly operated libraries and
museums; public health facilities and public
hospitals; public works facilities; parks and
community centers; airports; water and
sanitary sewerage intake, collection, pumping,
treatment, storage facilities; emergency
medical facilities; and public jail or
correctional facilities.
Utilities P P P P P P P P P P P P
Uses that distribute utility services such as
electricity, gas, sewer, water, cable and
internet.
Section 9-5-3
A structure, facility or location designed or
intended to be used as, or used to support,
antennas or other transmitting or receiving
devices. This includes new and existing
support structures, replacement support
structures, collocations on existing support
structures, attached wireless
telecommunications facilities and concealed
wireless telecommunications facilities.
Chapter 9-6
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
Commercial Uses
Any establishment or use of land or a structure
for an Adult Entertainment Establishment as
regulated and defined under Chapter 6-10 of
the Code of Ordinances of Gainesville.
Section 9-7-1
A facility where activity occurs within an
enclosed building that involves the provision
of sports, entertainment, and leisure activities
to the public for a fee. Typical examples
include arcades, billiards, bowling alleys,
concert halls or auditoriums, games rooms,
skating rinks, theaters, and play centers or
trampoline parks.
Section 9-7-2
Health or
fitness club P P P P P P
An establishment which for profit or gain
provides as one of its primary purposes,
services or facilities which are purported to
assist patrons improve their physical condition
or appearance through change in weight,
weight control, treatment, dieting, or exercise,
through facilities for exercise including but not
limited to running and jogging tracks, exercise
equipment, game courts, gymnasium, or
swimming facilities. The term includes
establishments designated as “reducing
salons,” “exercise gyms,” “health studios,”
“health clubs,” “fitness studios,” “day spa,” and
other terms of similar import. This term may
include other ancillary uses within the
establishment such as massage therapy,
tanning salons, nail salons, fitness apparel and
prepackaged food.
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
An educational facility not operated by a
governmental agency that offers or provides
instruction in dance, singing, music, painting,
sculpting, fine arts, or martial arts.
An entertainment or recreational use that
involves the provision of sports and leisure
activities to the general public for a fee, and
which all or part of the activities occur outside
of a building or structure. Typical examples
include amusement or water parks, stadiums,
amphitheaters, fairgrounds, drive-in theaters,
golf driving ranges, miniature golf courses,
batting cages, racetracks for animals or
motor-driven vehicles, archery ranges,
outdoor shooting ranges, fish ponds, botanical
and zoological gardens, camps or
campgrounds, and recreational vehicle parks.
Section 9-7-3
Camp or
campground P P P P
Any place established or maintained for two
or more individual spaces or sites for
temporary occupancy in cabins or similar
structures or tents for a fee. Some facilities
may offer temporary access to utilities such as
water, sewage disposal, electricity, or other
services for use by recreation vehicles.
Accessory uses or facilities may be provided
on site including management offices,
community facilities for sanitation or
recreation, and commercial uses for essential
goods or services for exclusive use by patrons.
Does not include camps or campgrounds in
which recreational vehicle spaces are
provided.
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
shooting range SU SU An outdoor facility where the firing of firearms
is permitted to practice marksmanship. Section 9-7-3(i)
Racetrack SU SU SU SU An outdoor facility used for the racing of
vehicles or animals. Section 9-7-3(j)
Recreational
vehicle park SU SU SU
Any facility for which two or more individual
spaces or sites for temporary occupancy in
recreational vehicles for a fee. Facilities
generally offer temporary access to utilities
such as water, sewage disposal, electricity, or
other services for use by recreation vehicles.
Accessory uses or facilities may be provided
on site including management offices,
community facilities for sanitation or
recreation, and commercial uses for essential
goods or services for exclusive use by patrons.
Includes any camp or campgrounds in which
recreational vehicle spaces are provided.
Commercial
Parking SU SU P P P P P
A use providing vehicle storage and parking
as a principal use, regardless of whether a fee
is charged. Commercial parking may occur in
a parking structure or surface lot.
Section 9-7-4
Day care center SU SU P P P P P P P
A facility that regularly provides care services
to 7 or more children or adults away from their
residence for less than 24 hours a day.
Includes childcare center, pre-kindergarten,
preschool, play school, nursery school, drop-
in center, and adult day care center. This does
not include other public or private education
uses or group living uses.
Section 9-7-5
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A facility that prepares and sells food and
drink for on- or off-premise consumption.
Typical examples include bars, taverns or
pubs, brewpubs, coffee, tea or juice shops,
drive-in restaurants, restaurants, and yogurt
or ice cream shops.
Brewpub SU P P P P P
An eating or drinking establishment, subject
to the barrel production limitation prescribed
in O.C.G.A. § 3-5-36, in which beer or malt
beverages are manufactured or brewed for
on-site retail consumption in draft form.
Section 9-7-6(a)
Drive-in
restaurant SU P P P P
An otherwise allowed eating and drinking use
where customers park and remain in their
vehicles while receiving service by an
employee of the establishment. Does not
include a facility which provides dedicated
parking spaces for customers to receive a
single pick-up order which does not involve
continual service.
An independent facility, assembly hall, or
restaurant event space with an occupancy
load of 100 patrons or more leased for the
purpose of holding private parties or special
events including but not limited to weddings,
birthdays, conferences, and similar events.
This term excludes an accessary special event
facility that is part of a religious institution,
educational facility, hotel, community
recreation facility, or nonprofit club or lodge.
Section 9-7-7
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A facility used for professional, educational, or
religious meetings, conferences, or seminars
and which may provide meals in a single
building, lodging, and recreation for
participants during the period of the retreat or
program only. Such facility may not be utilized
for the public for meals or overnight
accommodation. Housing is usually in lodges,
dormitories, sleeping cabins or other such
temporary quarters, which do not contain
kitchens.
Lodging, as
listed below:
A facility offering overnight accommodation
to the public for a fee for stays of less than 30
days.
Bed and
breakfast inn SU P P P P P P P
A business establishment operated within a
dwelling by the owner-occupant, offering
temporary lodging and one or more meals to
the traveling public.
Section 9-7-8(a)
Hotel or motel P P P P P
A facility offering overnight accommodation
to the public for a fee on a daily basis for stays
of less than 15 days.
Section 9-7-8(b)
Hotel or motel,
extended stay SU
A facility offering overnight accommodations
to the public for a fee for stays of more than
15 but less than 30 days in one or more rooms
within the same facility, with provisions for
living, sanitation, sleeping and fixed cooking
appliances.
Section 9-7-8(c)
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
The occupancy of all or a portion of a
residential structure, rented to the public for a
fee for the purpose of overnight lodging for a
period not more than 15 days. Includes Airbnb,
VRBO, and similar lodging accommodation
platforms.
Medical, as
listed below:
A facility providing medical, surgical, or dental
care to patients. Some facilities may include
overnight care.
General
medical SU P P P P P P P
Medical uses that administer human health
care in a non-hospital, outpatient setting.
Typical examples include medical office or
clinic, dental office or clinic, acute care facility,
ambulatory care facilities, optometrist,
orthodontist, physical therapy office, surgical
outpatient facility, urgent care, dialysis center,
and blood bank.
Hospital P SU SU SU P P P
An institution licensed by the state and
providing primary in-patient health services
and medical or surgical care to persons and
including as an integral part of the institution
related facilities such as emergency care,
laboratories, outpatient facilities, or training
A use that conducts medical research or
testing and examining of materials derived
from the human body for the purpose of
providing information on diagnosis,
treatment, mitigation, cure or prevention of
disease. Includes dental laboratories.
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A building designed, planned and constructed
as a unit, used partially for residential use and
partially for office, personal service, retail,
entertainment or public uses.
All office, except
as listed below: P P P P P P P P
A use in a private or co-working setting
wherein business, professional, or financial
services are conducted without on premise
retail sales. Typical examples include
engineering, consulting, and CPA
establishments.
A business that accepts money for deposit
into accounts from the general public or other
financial institutions, and which may include
personal or business loans, wire transfers and
safe deposit boxes. Such uses include but are
not limited to banks, savings and loan
institutions and credit unions, and security and
commodity exchanges. This use does not
include alternative financial services.
A facility in which video, radio or sound
production takes place, either for live
broadcasting or for the acquisition of raw
footage for postproduction.
A facility or establishment involved in the
provision of personal service or repair services
to the public. Typical examples include barber,
beauty, hair, or nail shop or salon, catering
service, laundry and dry cleaning facilities,
massage therapy, tailor, milliner or
upholsterer, and repair of consumer goods
such as appliances, jewelry or watches,
computers, televisions or similar items.
Section 9-7-9
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A facility designed or arranged for the care of
animals without any outdoor activity, except
for pet elimination areas. Includes grooming,
animal hospitals, veterinary clinics, boarding,
shelter, and doggy day care. May include
accessory sale of products such as pet foods,
leashes, collars, and similar animal care
products.
Section 9-7-9(a)
Animal care,
outdoor SU SU SU P P P P
A facility designed or arranged for the care of
animals and includes outdoor activity or
outdoor activity areas. Includes grooming,
animal hospitals, veterinary clinics, boarding,
shelter, and doggy day care. May include
accessory sale of products such as pet foods,
leashes, collars, and similar animal care
products.
Section 9-7-9(b)
Body art
studio SU P P P P P
Any establishment whose principal business
activity is performing the practice of physical
body adornment by using the techniques of
body piercing or tattooing. Does not include
ear piercing or body painting with pigments
that are temporary in nature.
A building or facility used for human funeral
services. May contain a chapel and facilities for
embalming and the performance of other
services used in the preparation of the dead
for burial or cremation, the performance of
autopsies and other surgical procedures, the
indoor storage of caskets, funeral urns, and
other related funeral supplies, or the indoor
storage of funeral vehicles.
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
Any establishment involved in the practice of
fortune telling, astrology, phrenology,
palmistry, clairvoyance, or related practices
for a fee or donation.
A facility offering goods and products for sale,
lease, or rental to the public for personal or
household consumption.
A retail use offering high interest short-term
loans or check cashing services. Also includes
establishments which offer, in the regular
course of business, a “pawn transaction” as
defined in O.C.G.A. § 44-12-139 as it exists or
as it may be amended. Includes check cashing,
pawnshop, payday lending, precious metal
and gem dealers, and title loan centers.
Artisan
Workshop SU P P P P P P
A retail facility or use which provides
workspaces for artists or artisans and may
include the production of handcrafted
products manufactured without the use of
heavy machinery. Includes art studios; ceramic
manufacturing; glass blowing; jewelry
manufacturing; metalwork; musical
instrument manufacturing; leatherwork;
cabinetry or furniture manufacturing; and
similar uses.
Section 9-7-
10(a)
Consumer
fireworks sales P P
Shall have the same meaning as provided for
by the National Fire Protection Association
Standard 1124, Code for the Manufacture,
Transportation, Storage, and Retail Sales of
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles, latest
edition (NFPA 1124).
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
Retail sales of all alternative nicotine products
and non-traditional tobacco paraphernalia
including but not limited to hookah, vapes,
vape pens, e-liquids, e-cigarettes, and bongs.
Does not include the retail sale of such
products when accessory to a convenience
store or other retail establishment. For the
purposes of this definition, “alternative
nicotine products” shall mean any product or
device that employs an electronic heating
element, electronic circuit, power source,
battery, or other electronic, chemical, or
mechanical means to produce a vapor that
delivers nicotine to the person inhaling from
the device, including electronic cigarettes,
electronic cigars, electronic pipes, electronic
bongs, and electronic hookahs and, whether
manufactured, distributed, marketed, or sold
as an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, or
electronic pipe.
Any use involving the sale and on-premise
consumption of alternative nicotine products,
vape juice, or both.
Section 9-7-
10(b)
An automated commercial ice vending
machine designed to produce, store and
dispense ice to customers on demand, usually
in public or commercial locations. The
machine operates 24/7 and allows users to
purchase ice in various quantities.
Section 9-7-
10(c)
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
Any commercial establishment with the
principal use of displaying products in an area
exposed to open air on three or more sides,
including but not limited to rock yards,
nurseries and garden centers and garden
supply stores, landscaping companies, lumber
and building material yards, outdoor flea
markets, statuaries and monument sales
establishments, petroleum dealers and tank
A facility which offers secure self-storage for
goods in individual rooms, compartments,
lockers, or containers, and which are leased or
rented on an individual basis to businesses
and residents for temporary storage needs.
No commercial transactions or activities take
place other than the incidental sales of
products associated with the use of the facility
such as boxes, packaging supplies, and similar
products. Includes mini-warehouse and
climate-controlled storage facilities.
Section 9-7-11
Vehicular, as
listed below:
A use or facility that sells, rents, leases,
services, or repairs motorcycles, passenger
vehicles, commercial vehicles, recreational
vehicles, and heavy equipment.
Car wash SU P P P P An establishment or facility that cleans and
details vehicles.
Fuel sales SU P P P P
A facility for the dispensing and distribution of
vehicle fuels, with or without a retail
convenience store.
Section 9-7-
12(a)
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
An establishment engaged primarily in the
fueling, servicing, repair, or parking of heavy
trucks or similar heavy commercial vehicles,
including the sale of accessories and
equipment for such vehicles. A truck stop may
also include overnight accommodations,
showers, or restaurant facilities primarily for
the use of truck drivers.
Section 9-7-
12(b)
Vehicle rental,
truck or trailer SU P P P
An establishment offering, for rental, the
temporary use of a commercial truck or trailer
for moving or hauling. Including but not
limited to U-Haul, Ryder, Budget, and Penske
truck and trailer rentals.
Vehicle sales
or leasing, new SU P P P
A facility where a manufacturer-authorized
business or dealer engages in the sale or lease
of new and used automobiles, trucks, tractors,
trailers, boats, recreational vehicles, campers,
motorcycles, and other motorized vehicles
where most of the sales inventory is new.
Includes agricultural implements and
equipment.
Section 9-7-
12(c)
A facility that sells or leases used vehicles
where a majority of the inventory is pre-
owned, leased, or second-hand vehicles.
Section 9-7-
12(d)
A facility where minor vehicle repair and
service is conducted, including alarm
installation, custom accessories, emissions
testing, oil and lubrication service, minor
scratch and dent repair, and glass repair or
replacement.
Section 9-7-
12(e)
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A facility used for the major servicing and
repair of vehicles including body repair and
paint shops, transmission and engine repair,
and tires sales and repair.
Section 9-7-12(f)
Industrial Uses
Aircraft landing
area SU SU SU
Any landing area, runway, or other facility
designed, used, or intended to be used for the
departure or arrival of aircraft and which may
include aircraft storage, tie-down areas,
hangars, and other necessary buildings and
appurtenances. Includes private use heliports.
May be a principal or accessory use.
Section 9-8-1
Industrial and manufacturing uses which
primarily occur outdoors and which typically
result in significant heat, noise, sound,
vibration, odors or particulates. Often includes
the use of dangerous or harmful chemicals,
highly combustible or flammable materials,
liquids, or gas, and the use of hazardous,
radioactive, or explosive materials. Typical
examples include borrow sites, bulk storage,
food processing plants, resource extraction
including mining or quarrying, and sawmills.
Borrow site P P
A site used for the extraction of earthen
materials such as sand, gravel, rock, dirt, etc.
where the material is removed from the site.
Includes the leveling, scraping, or reducing of
a hill or rise of land, as well as the digging of a
pit, hole, depression or valley.
Section 9-8-2(a)
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A manufacturing establishment producing or
processing foods and food by-products for
human or animal consumption, including but
not limited to the following products: sugar,
dairy, fruit and vegetable (including canning,
preserving and processing), grain mill
products and by-products, meat, poultry and
seafood, and miscellaneous food preparation
from raw products. Does not include the
slaughtering of animals.
Section 9-8-2(b)
The extraction of minerals or solid materials
from the ground. Such materials may be
stored on site or transported to another
location. This term includes gravel pits; mines
or quarries; and similar operations.
Section 9-8-2(c)
Sawmill SU P
A facility where logs or partially processed
wood are sawn, split, shaved, stripped,
chipped, or otherwise processed to produce
wood products. This term does not apply to
the processing of timber for use on the same
lot by the owner or occupant of that lot.
A facility used for manufacturing, processing,
fabrication, packaging or assembly of
prefabricated parts, consumer electronics,
computers, appliances, optical devices or
instruments, medical or surgical instruments,
non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, clothing
or shoes, printed or photographic materials,
signs, or small automotive parts; welding or
machine shops; industry laundries;
exterminators; cold storage; and similar uses
as determined by the Director.
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A facility where beer, malt beverages, distilled
spirits, or wine are produced on the premises
and then sold or distributed for off-premise
consumption. The retail sale of beverages
manufactured on site is permitted. May
include accessory uses such as event facilities
and restaurants.
Section 9-8-3(a)
Research and
development P P
A facility used for the research and
development of new products or for scientific
research intended for manufacture,
production, or sale of products elsewhere.
Includes laboratories, offices and other
facilities used for research and development;
prototype production facilities which
manufacture a limited amount of product for
investigation into the merits of such product;
or pilot plants used to test manufacturing
processes to be utilized in production
elsewhere.
A facility used for the outdoor storage of
material, equipment, or vehicles for a period
exceeding 24 hours, and any structures
associated with the outdoor storage. Typical
examples include construction storage yard,
lumberyard, equipment yard, vehicle storage
lot, and wholesale greenhouse or nursery. May
involve the sale or rental of items stored.
Impound lot SU P
A facility used for the secure, temporary
storage of vehicles which have been removed
from private property for reasons of
trespassing or abandonment. May include
wrecked motor vehicle compounds.
Section 9-8-
4(b)
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
Truck yard SU P A facility for the temporary parking or storage
of heavy trucks which are in active use. Section 9-8-4(c)
A facility or use involved in the storage or
movement of goods, products, supplies, and
equipment for themselves or other entities.
There is little or no on-site sales activity when
customers are present. Office uses are
customarily provided as accessory to the
warehouse and distribution use.
Data center SU SU
A facility used primarily for the storage,
management, processing, and transmission of
digital data, housing computer and network
equipment, systems, servers, appliances, and
other associated components related to
digital data operations. May include accessory
utility infrastructure such as air handlers,
power generators, water cooling and storage
facilities, utility substations, and similar
infrastructure necessary to the operation as a
data center.
Section 9-8-5(a)
A facility which receives solid or liquid waste
from others for disposal on the site or for
transfer to another location, uses that collect
waste, or uses that manufacture or produce
goods or energy from the composting of
organic material.
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A facility where compost or organic matter
that is derived primarily from off-site is
processed by composting and processed for
commercial purposes. Activities of a
composting facility may include management,
collection, transportation, staging,
composting, curing, storage, marketing, or use
of compost.
Junk or
salvage yard P
A place of business primarily engaged in the
storage, sale, dismantling or other processing
of uses or waste materials which are not
intended for reuse in their original forms.
Typical uses include paper and metal salvage
yards, used tire storage yards, or retail and/or
wholesale sales of used automobile parts and
supplies.
Section 9-8-6(a)
A facility that accepts waste building
materials and rubble resulting from
construction, remodeling, repair and
demolition operations on pavements, houses,
commercial buildings, and other structures.
Such wastes include but are not limited to
wood, bricks, metal, concrete, wall board,
paper, cardboard, inert waste landfill material
and other inert wastes which have a low
potential for groundwater contamination.
Section 9-8-
6(b)
Recycling
center P P
Any facility utilized for the purpose of
collecting, sorting and processing materials to
be recycled, including but not limited to,
plastics, glass, paper and aluminum materials.
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A fixed facility where solid waste from
collection vehicles is consolidated and
temporarily stored for subsequent transport
to a permanent disposal site.
Wholesale trade P P P
An establishment engaged in the selling or
distribution of merchandise to retailers, to
industrial, commercial, institutional or
professional business users, or to other
wholesalers for resale, rather than end
consumers for direct consumption.
Agricultural Uses
Agriculture SU
Farming, including plowing, tilling, cropping,
utilization of best management practices,
seeding, cultivating or harvesting for the
production of food and fiber products;
aquaculture; sod production; orchards;
Christmas tree plantations; nurseries used
primarily to cultivate trees, shrubs, flowers or
other plants; and the cultivation of products as
part of a recognized commercial enterprise.
This term specifically includes “horticulture,”
or the growing of fruits, vegetables, herbs,
flowers or ornamental plants. Does not include
the keeping of horses or livestock.
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
Any building or structure which surrounds or
is used to raise, breed (husbandry), house,
shelter, care for, feed, exercise, train, exhibit,
display, or show any animals or livestock other
than domestic pets. This is not intended to
apply to non-structural, fenced land for
grazing. This includes the term “barn” when
used to shelter livestock or other animals.
Forestry P
An operation involved in the growing,
conserving, and managing of forests and
forest lands. Forestry operations or practices
include the raising and harvesting of timber,
pulp woods and other forestry products for
commercial purposes, insect and disease
control, fire protection, and may include the
temporary operation of a sawmill or chipper to
process the timber.
Equestrian
center SU P P P
An establishment where horses or equines are
kept for riding, competition, or educational
purposes incidental to a club, association,
ranch, educational institution or similar
establishment but which does not involve
commercial sales and is not open to the public
for a fee.
Riding stable SU P P P
An establishment where horses, equines or
other animals that can be ridden by humans
are kept for riding and which offers the public
rides for a fee.
Accessory Uses
Accessory
structure P P P P P P P P P P P P Section 9-10-1
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A second dwelling unit that is added to an
existing accessory structure (e.g., residential
space above a detached garage), or as a new
freestanding accessory building, for use as a
complete, independent living facility for a
single household, with provision within the
accessory apartment for cooking, eating,
sanitation and sleeping. Such a dwelling is
considered an accessory use to the principal
dwelling. Includes the term garage apartment.
Section 9-10-2
Accessory
parking P P P P P P P P P
Vehicular storage or parking required or
provided on-site for one or more on-site uses,
but not exceeding any applicable parking
maximums. Accessory parking may be
provided in a parking structure or parking lot.
Section 9-10-3
A mechanized consumer banking device
offered by a bank, whether outside or in an
access-controlled facility, operated by walk-
up customers only and not accessible to
customers in vehicles.
Caretaker
residence SU P P
A dwelling unit within a principal building, or
any freestanding accessory building or
structure, which is used for occupancy as a
dwelling by an owner, security agent, or
caretaker.
Section 9-10-4
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
A private recreational facility for use solely by
the residents and guests of a particular
residential development and located within
the boundaries of such development. Includes
indoor facilities such as community meeting
rooms and outdoor facilities such as
swimming pools, athletic courts, pavilions or
picnic structures, and playgrounds.
Section 9-10-5
Golf course SU SU SU SU See “golf course” in public and institutional
uses
Drive-through
facility P P P P P P
A facility where customers remain in their
vehicles while driving through a dedicated
lane to conduct a transaction at an area
designated as a drive-through or service
window.
Section 9-10-6
Family day care
home P P P P P SU SU
A private residence in which a business,
registered by the State of Georgia, is operated
by any person who receives pay for the
supervision and care for less than 24 hours per
day for 3 to not more than 6 children under 18
years of age who are not residents in the same
private residence.
Section 9-10-7
Guest house P P P P P SU SU
An accessory use to a dwelling designed and
intended for the occasional housing of visitors
to a property.
Section 9-10-8
Home
occupation P P P P P SU SU P
Any use, occupation or activity conducted
entirely within a dwelling by the residents
thereof, which is clearly incidental and
secondary to the use of the dwelling for
residential purposes.
Section 9-10-9
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
The keeping of horses or other members of
the equine family when not associated with a
principal agricultural use.
Section 9-10-10
Outdoor dining SU P P P P P P
An accessory outdoor dining area on the
property of a permitted nonresidential use.
Typically, outdoor dining occurs in an
unenclosed area with tables, chairs, and other
furnishings used for the purpose of drinking or
eating food and beverages.
Section 9-10-11
Outdoor display
areas P P P P P
The accessory outdoor display of products
actively available for sale on the property of a
permitted principal nonresidential use.
Section 9-10-12
Outdoor storage P P P P
An accessory outdoor storage on the property
of a permitted principal nonresidential use.
Includes the storage of merchandise, goods,
inventory, materials or equipment, or other
items which are not intended for immediate
sale or use.
Section 9-10-13
Poultry raising P P P P P The keeping of any chicken, fowl, hen and
bantam hen for personal purposes. Section 9-10-14
Private
swimming pool P P P P P
A recreational facility designed and intended
for water contact activities and serving a
single detached dwelling. This definition
includes hot tubs or spas intended for
residential use.
Section 9-10-15
Accessory uses in office, institutional, or
lodging facilities with a gross floor area of
10,000 square feet or more. Includes barber
shops, beauty shops, dry cleaning, drug
stores, book stores, florists, gift shops,
convenience food stores, newsstands, and
eating and drinking uses.
Section 9-10-16
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards
Temporary Uses
Construction
field office P P P P P P P P P P P P
A building or structure located temporarily on
a site under development or construction, and
which houses offices of the construction
contractor. Includes the term construction
trailer.
Section 9-11-1
A principal residential building, temporarily
open to viewing by prospective homebuyers,
on property containing or proposed to contain
a residential subdivision, and which may also
be used temporarily as real estate sales office
for lots in the residential subdivision.
Section 9-11-2
A temporary outdoor amusement enterprise,
exhibit, entertainment, music venue, meeting,
display or sales area, or outdoor area for
religious ceremonies.
Section 9-11-3
Temporary
classroom P P P P P P P P P P P P
A structure or building, designed to be
moveable form one location to another, used
as temporary setting for instruction to
students and associated with a permitted
educational or religious facility or use.
Section 9-11-4
A portable, weather resistant container or
tailer of at least 200 cubic feet which is
designed and used for the temporary storage
or shipment of materials, goods, equipment,
household furniture, clothing, or other
household goods for a limited period of time
before they are moved, used or disposed of.
Such containers are typically transported to
and from a site by truck or trailer.
Section 9-11-5
KEY: P = Permitted Use SU = Special Use Empty Cell = Not permitted
Use Category Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts Definition Standards