Paulding County › Unified Development Ordinance

Title 2 — Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 200 — General Provisions.

current as of 2026-04-14verified current · checked 2026-08-24Officialofficial source ↗8 sections · full chapter

§ 200-10

Purpose

This Title 2 is intended to implement the purposes set forth in Section 100-20, and further is enacted for the purposes of regulating within the County of Paulding the location, height, bulk, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures; the sizes of yards, courts, and other open spaces; the density and distribution of population; and the uses of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, recreation, mining, agriculture, forestry, conservation, sanitation, protection against floods, public activities, and boundaries thereof; defining certain terms used herein; providing for the method of administration and amendment; defining the powers and duties of the Zoning Board of Appeals; providing penalties for violations, repealing conflicting ordinances; and for other purposes.

§ 200-20

Authority

This Title 2 is enacted pursuant to Paulding County’s authority to adopt plans and exercise the power of zoning granted by the Constitution of the State of Georgia, Article 9, Section 2; pursuant to Chapters 66 and 70 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated; by the Georgia Planning Act of 1989; by Paulding County’s authority to enact regulations and exercise powers granted by local laws and by the County’s general police powers; and by other powers and authority provided by applicable federal, state, and local laws.

§ 200-30

Incorporation of Official Zoning Map

200-30.01 The location and boundaries of the Zoning Districts are hereby established as

shown on the set of maps entitled "Official Paulding County Zoning Map" which are hereby made a part of this UDO. The Official Paulding County Zoning Map may be amended from time to time and shall be kept in the office of the Paulding County Community Development Department, Planning and Zoning Division where they shall be maintained and made available for public inspection.

200-30.02 Certified copies of said maps shall be prepared by the Paulding County Community

Development Department, Planning and Zoning Division.

§ 200-40

Division of County into Zoning Districts

200-40.01 For the purpose of this ordinance, Paulding County is divided into the following

zoning districts designated as follows:

A-1 Agricultural District ER Estate Residential District R-1 Rural Residential District R-2 Suburban Residential District R-3 Sewered Suburban Residential District MPR Master Planned Residential OSRD Open Space Residential District RD Duplex District MHP Manufactured Home Park District R-55 Active Adult Residential District LRO Low Rise Office District O-I Office-Institutional District NB Neighborhood Business District B-1 General Business District PSC Planned Shopping Center District B-2 Highway Business District ECR E-Commerce Retail District ECBP E-Commerce Business Park District B2CL Business to Consumer Logistics District AML Advanced Manufacturing Logistics District I-1 Light Industrial District I-2 Heavy Industrial District AB Agricultural Business District

§ 200-50

Rules for Determining Boundaries

200-50.01 Where uncertainty exists with respect to the location of the boundaries of any

zoning district as shown on the Official Zoning Map of Paulding County, Georgia, the following rules shall apply:

A.Where a zoning district boundary line is shown as approximately following a corporate limits line, a militia district line, a land lot line, a lot line, or the center line of a street, a county road, a state highway, an interstate highway, or a railroad right-of-way or such lines extended, then such lines shall be construed to be the zoning district boundary lines.

B.Where a zoning district boundary line is shown as being set back from a street, a county road, a state highway, an interstate highway, or a railroad right-of-way, and approximately parallel thereto, then such zoning district boundary line shall be construed as being at the scaled distance from the center line of the street, county road, state highway, interstate highway, or railroad right-of-way and as being parallel thereto.

C.Where a zoning district boundary line divides a lot, the location of the line shall be the scaled distance from the lot lines. In this situation, the requirements of the zoning district in which the greater portion of the lot lies shall apply to the balance of the lot except that such extension shall not include any part of a lot that lies more than 50 feet beyond the zoning district boundary line.

D.In the case of a through lot fronting on two approximately parallel streets that is divided by a zoning district boundary line paralleling the streets, the restrictions of the zoning district in which each frontage of the through lot lies shall apply to that portion of the through lot.

§ 200-60

Relationship to Comprehensive Plan

200-60.01 Role of the Comprehensive Plan.

The Paulding County 2017 Comprehensive Plan, consisting of its Future Development Map and related policies, as may be amended from time to time, is hereby established as the official policy of the County concerning designated future land uses, and as a guide to decisions regarding the appropriate manner in which property shall be zoned in the unincorporated area of Paulding County.

200-60.02 Relationship between Comprehensive Plan and Zoning.

The Paulding County 2017 Comprehensive Plan does not change the existing zoning districts in Paulding County, does not effectuate an amendment to the Paulding County Official Zoning Map, and does not itself permit or prohibit any existing land uses. Instead, the Comprehensive Plan establishes a broad planning policy for current and future land uses and should be consulted as a guideline for making decisions about applications to amend the Paulding County Official Zoning Map and text of the UDO.

§ 200-70

Zoning Certification

Upon request, the Director or his or her designee shall have authority to issue written zoning certifications stating the existing zoning of a particular parcel of property. Requests to the Director or the Director’s designee shall be in writing, accurately identify the subject property, and be accompanied by a fee established by the Board of Commissioners.

§ 200-80

Zoning Classification of De-Annexed Property or

Abandoned Right-of-Way.

Undeveloped property which has been de-annexed from any municipality or other county will be subject to the same zoning district, including any conditions established prior to annexation.

However, if the zoning district within Paulding County cannot be determined from existing records or by the Director, a public hearing, as specified in Section 280-60 will be conducted to establish the appropriate zoning classification for the property. Any lawfully developed, de-annexed property shall be zoned to the nearest compatible zoning district in which the use is permitted.

Any non-conforming use may continue to operate for a period not to exceed five years from the date of de-annexation.