LandCode
Paulding CountyUnified Development Ordinance

Title 2 — Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 240 — Standards Applying to All Districts.

current as of 2026-04-14verified current · checked 2026-08-24Officialofficial source20 sections · full chapter
§ 240-10

Dimensional Standards of Zoning Districts

When developing under any zoning classification, the provisions listed in Tables 240.1, 240.2 and 240.3 and any additional standards or requirements listed in Chapters 210, and 220 must be met. When a standard in Tables 240.1, 240.2, or 240.3 conflict with a standard in Chapters 210 or 220, the standards in Chapters 210 and 220 shall have precedence.

Table 240.1 — Dimensional Standards for Residential Zoning Districts
DistrictMin. Lot SizeMin. Road FrontageMin. Lot WidthMin. Front SetbackMin. Side SetbackMin. Rear SetbackMin. Heated Living AreaMax. Building Height
A-1217,800 sq ft30 ft125 ft50 ft25 ft30 ft1,100 sq ft45 ft
ER108,900 sq ft100 ft125 ft50 ft25 ft30 ft1,600 sq ft45 ft
R-143,560 sq ft100 ft125 ft40 ft20 ft; 25 ft corner lot25 ft1,600 sq ft45 ft
R-220,000 sq ft (public sewer & water) / 21,780 sq ft (on-site sewage, public water) / 43,560 sq ft (on-site sewage, individual water)30 ft100 ft; 75 ft on curve35 ft15 ft; 25 ft corner lot25 ft1,100 sq ft45 ft
R-315,000 sq ft30 ft85 ft; 75 ft on curve30 ft12 ft; 25 ft corner lot25 ft1,800 sq ft45 ft
MPR12,000 sq ftNA75 ft35 ft12 ft20 ft2,400 sq ft45 ft
OSRD12,000 sq ft30 ft80 ft25 ft12 ft; 25 ft corner lot25 ft2,000 sq ft45 ft
RD43,560 sq ft30 ft100 ft40 ft20 ft; 25 ft corner lot25 ft1,100 sq ft/unit45 ft
MHP15 acres400 ft400 ft40 ft40 ft40 ftNA45 ft
R-5510,000 sq ftNA75 ft35 ft12 ft20 ft1,100 sq ft30 ft

Table 240.2 Reserved

Table 240.3 — Dimensional Standards for Non-Residential and MPR Zoning Districts
DistrictMin. Lot SizeMin. Road FrontageMin. Lot WidthMin. Front SetbackMin. Side SetbackMin. Rear SetbackMax. Building Height
MPR20,000 sq ft30 ft.75 ft40 ft.0 ft between units; 25 ft between buildings15 ft.; 50 ft. if abutting res.45 ft.
LRO20,000 sq ft (public sewer & water) / 21,780 sq ft (on-site sewage, public water) / 43,560 sq ft (on-site sewage, individual water)30 ft.100 ft.; 75 in curve30 ft.15 ft.; 25 ft. if corner lot25 ft.; 35 ft. if abutting residential30 ft.
O-I20,000 sq ft (public sewer & water) / 40,000 sq ft (on-site sewage, public water) / 43,560 sq ft (on-site sewage, individual water)30 ft.100 ft.; 75 in curve30 ft.15 ft.; 20 ft. if abutting res.; 25 ft. corner lot25 ft.; 35 ft. if abutting res.45 ft.
NB20,000 sq ft (public sewer & water) / 40,000 sq ft (on-site sewage, public water) / 43,560 sq ft (on-site sewage, individual water)30 ft.100 ft.; 85 in curve30 ft.15 ft.; 25 ft. if abutting res. or corner lot25 ft.; 35 ft. if abutting res.45 ft.
B-120,000 sq ft (public sewer & water) / 40,000 sq ft (on-site sewage, public water) / 43,560 sq ft (on-site sewage, individual water)30 ft.75 ft.; 60 in curve40 ft.10 ft.; 25 ft. if abutting res. or corner lot15 ft.; 40 ft. if abutting res.45 ft.
PSC5 acres100 ft.75 ft.; 60 in curve40 ft.10 ft.; 25 ft. if abutting res. or corner lot15 ft.; 40 ft. if abutting res.45 ft.
B-220,000 sq ft (public sewer & water) / 40,000 sq ft (on-site sewage, public water) / 43,560 sq ft (on-site sewage, individual water)30 ft.100 ft.; 85 in curve50 ft.10 ft.; 40 ft. if abutting res.; 25 ft. corner lot15 ft.; 40 ft. if abutting res.60 ft.
ECR21,780 sq ft (public sewer & water) / 43,560 sq ft (on-site sewage, public water)30 ft.75 ft.; 60 in curve40 ft.10 ft.; 25 ft. if abutting res. or corner lot15 ft.; 40 ft. if abutting res.45 ft.
ECBP43,560 sq ft50 ft.100 ft.; 85 in curve50 ft.25 ft.; 50 ft. if abutting res. or corner lot40 ft.; 50 ft. if abutting res.45 ft.
B2CL43,560 sq ft50 ft.100 ft.; 85 in curve50 ft.25 ft.; 50 ft. if abutting res. or corner lot40 ft.; 50 ft. if abutting res.45 ft.
AML43,560 sq ft50 ft.100 ft.; 85 in curve50 ft.25 ft.; 50 ft. if abutting res. or corner lot40 ft.; 50 ft. if abutting res.45 ft.
I-140,000 sq ft50 ft.100 ft.; 85 in curve50 ft.25 ft.; 50 ft. if abutting res. or corner lot40 ft.; 50 ft. if abutting res.45 ft.
I-240,000 sq ft50 ft.100 ft.; 85 in curve50 ft.25 ft.; 50 ft. if abutting res. or corner lot40 ft.; refer to Buffer Chart45 ft.
AB43,560 sq ft50 ft.100 ft.; 85 in curve50 ft.25 ft.; 50 ft. if abutting res. or corner lot40 ft.; 50 ft. if abutting res.45 ft.
TPOD50 acres150 ft.110 ft75 ft.75 ft.75 ft.75 ft.
Grid rebuilt from the published table · verbatim source (p. 230)
§ 240-20

Use

Except as hereinafter provided, no building, structure, or land shall be used or occupied, and no structure or part thereof shall be erected, constructed, subdivided, moved, altered, added to, or enlarged for any purpose or in any manner other than is set forth in Title 2 of this UDO or in amendments to this UDO.

§ 240-30

Height

Except as hereinafter provided, no building shall be erected, reconstructed or structurally altered, to exceed in height the limit established in Title 2 of this UDO or in amendments to this UDO.

§ 240-40

Only One Principal Building

Only one principal building and its customary accessory buildings may be erected on any one lot within agricultural and single-family residential in accordance with provisions of Title 2 of this UDO. Multi-family uses may be located on the same lot subject to area, yard, setback, and zoning requirements.

§ 240-50

Reduction of Lot Area

No lot, even though it may consist of one or more adjacent lots of record, shall be reduced in size.

The lot width or depth, front, side or rear yard, lot area per family, or other requirements of Title 2 of this UDO, must be maintained unless approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. This section shall not apply when a portion of a lot is acquired for public purposes.

§ 240-60

Lot Abutting Street

No building shall hereafter be erected on a lot which does not abut for a minimum of 30 feet on a publicly dedicated, publicly approved, or publicly maintained street, or on a dedicated easement (which has been recorded by the Clerk of Superior Court) connecting with a publicly dedicated, publicly approved or publicly maintained street which guarantees ingress and egress for perpetuity (also subject to requirements of the Title 3 of this UDO).

§ 240-70

Corner Lots

When the frontage of one street exceeds the frontage of the other, the one with the least frontage shall be deemed the front of the lot. The side yard setback for a corner lot adjacent to a local street shall be 25 feet in all zoning districts except where otherwise noted herein.

§ 240-80

Double Frontage Lots

If a building or accessory building is constructed or a use of a lot occurs on a lot having frontage on two roads, a setback from each road shall be provided equal to the front yard setback requirements in which the lot is located.

§ 240-90

Lots of Record

240-90.01 Substandard Size Lots.

Where the owner of a lot at the time of the adoption of this UDO or their successor in title thereto does not own sufficient land to enable him to conform to the dimensional requirements of this UDO, such lot may be used as a building site provided the yard and other space requirements of the district may be reduced by the smallest amount that will permit reasonable use of the property as a building site. However, in no case shall the setbacks be reduced to less than one-half of the least restrictive zoning district’s minimum area and yard requirements set forth within this ordinance unless approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

240-90.02 Adjoining Lots.

If two or more adjoining lots with continuous frontage are in a single ownership at any time after the adoption of this UDO and such lots individually are too small to meet the yard, width, and area requirements of the district in which they are located, such groups of lots shall be considered as a single lot or several lots of minimum permitted size and the lot or lots in one ownership shall be subject to the requirements of this ordinance. This does not apply to lots approved prior to the adoption of this ordinance.

§ 240-100

Unobstructed Yard

Every part of a required yard shall be open to the sky, unobstructed, except for accessory buildings in a rear yard, except for the ordinary projection of a cornice, eave, belt cornice, sill, canopy or other similar architectural feature projecting not to exceed 36 inches into said yard.

§ 240-110

Required Yard

No yard provided for about a building for the purposes of complying with the provisions of this ordinance or amendments thereto shall be considered as providing a yard for any other building, and no yard on one lot shall be considered as providing a yard for a building on any other lot.

§ 240-120

General Outdoor Storage

No outside storage of goods or materials shall be allowed except as hereinafter provided.

§ 240-130

Removal of Destroyed Buildings

Any dwelling which is damaged beyond repair by fire, natural or manmade disaster shall be removed and disposed of in accordance with provisions of the Standard Unsafe Building Abatement Code as adopted by the State of Georgia.

§ 240-140

Buffers between Dissimilar Districts

240-140.01 Objective.

The objective of providing buffers and landscaped areas for screening between dissimilar districts is to protect and preserve the appearance, character, and value of adjacent land uses.

240-140.02 Buffer Requirements.

The buffer area may be included within the required setbacks; however, in such case that the required buffer is greater than the required setback, the required buffer shall be adhered to.

240-140.03 Standards.

Buffers are subject to review and approval by County planning staff. The landscaping policies and standards listed in this section are the minimum policies and standards for buffers. The following are required standards for buffers and shall be used by the county planning staff in reviewing development applications.

A.Buffers shall be designated on the site plan as a permanent buffer strip.
B.Buffers shall be natural/undisturbed areas of existing mature trees which meet the intent of the definition of buffer. Where substantially devoid of existing trees, or where it is necessary to disturb the existing natural/undisturbed area, a planted/landscaped buffer shall be established in accordance with this section.
C.Buffers shall be established and maintained along required adjoining property to meet the minimum width requirements for dissimilar districts as shown in
Table 240.4 — Minimum Buffer Width Requirements (the minimum buffer width a new development in the listed ZONING DISTRICT must provide where it abuts an ABUTTING ZONING DISTRICT; an abutting district not listed for a given zoning district requires no buffer)
DistrictA-1ERR-1R-2R-3MPRLDQRDOSRDPRDR-4RDMHPR-7R-55LROO-INBB-1PSCB-2ECRECBPB2CLAMLI-1I-2AB
A-115 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.
ER15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.
R-115 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.
R-215 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.
R-350 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.
MPR50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.
OSRD25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.
RD15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.10 ft.10 ft.10 ft.10 ft.10 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.
MHP30 ft.30 ft.30 ft.30 ft.30 ft.30 ft.30 ft.30 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.10 ft.25 ft.10 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.
R-5550 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.
LRO15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.15 ft.
O-I20 ft.20 ft.20 ft.20 ft.20 ft.20 ft.20 ft.20 ft.20 ft.20 ft.20 ft.20 ft.20 ft.20 ft.
NB25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.
B-125 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.
PSC25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.15 ft.
B-240 ft.40 ft.40 ft.40 ft.40 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.40 ft.40 ft.40 ft.40 ft.40 ft.15 ft.
ECR40 ft.40 ft.40 ft.40 ft.40 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.40 ft.40 ft.40 ft.40 ft.40 ft.15 ft.
ECBP50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.
B2CL50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.
AML50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.
I-150 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.25 ft.
I-2100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.100 ft.50 ft.100 ft.
AB50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.50 ft.15 ft.25 ft.25 ft.

right-of-way unless approved by County planning staff.

E.Buffers shall provide year-round visual screening from the ground to a height of at least six feet.
F.Buffers that utilize trees and/or other vegetation shall be installed not only to provide visual screening but to allow for proper plant growth and maintenance.
G.Buffer design shall be integrated with the overall design concept for the project.
H.Existing tree cover and natural vegetation shall be undisturbed except for the addition of supplemental plantings or other approved screening devices, or for the provision of required access or utility crossings as approved by the county planning staff. Where a buffer is substantially devoid of trees or shrubbery, grading may be allowed within the buffer area prior to replanting or the provision of other screening devices as required.
I.Said buffer areas may not be used for any parking or for the erection of any permanent structure thereon except a fence.
J.No artificial plants, trees, or other artificial vegetation shall be installed.
K.All existing, healthy deciduous and hardwood trees with a caliper of five or more inches at a point four and one-half feet above the natural grade shall be retained, whenever feasible; if not feasible the tree shall be replaced with the same or similar type of tree in accordance with the intent of paragraph (L) below.
L.All planted trees are encouraged to be native to this region and, when planted, such replacement tree shall be a minimum height of six feet and be a species which will reach at least 20 feet in height at maturity or shall be a flowering tree with a minimum height of six feet at time of planting. All plantings shall be in staggered rows, with vegetation spaced a minimum of ten feet apart (measured trunk to trunk) with a minimum of two staggered rows of plantings for every ten feet of buffer width. Trees selected for planting shall be a species listed in Table
240.5. Standards for transplanting shall be in keeping with those established

by the International Society of Arboriculture, as included in the latest edition of the “Tree and Shrub Transplanting Manual”. Refer to the American Association of Nurserymen publication “American Standard for Nursery Stock”

(ANSI Z60, 1971) for plant material quality specifications. Refer to the “Manual of Woody Landscape Plants” (Michael Dirr, 1983, Castle Books) for information on tree species site requirements. (Ord. 22-14, 12/13/22)

Title 2: Chapter 240 211 Table 240.5 Recommended Tree Species Selections for Urban and Community Forest Sustainability The most current version of the Georgia Forestry Commission’s Recommended Tree Species Selections for Urban and Community Forest Sustainability can be found at the link shown below https://gatrees.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GFC-UCF-Species-Selection-List-2024.pdf

(Ord. 26-02, 4/14/26)
M.All areas required to be undisturbed shall have protective tree fencing installed along the limits of clearing or grading which adjoin existing trees in accordance with the provisions found in this section. These measures shall be in place prior to beginning of clearing or grading activities and shall be maintained until a Notice of Termination is filed with Georgia EPD. (Ord. 22-14, 12/13/22) and (Ord. 23-07, 6/13/23)
240-140.04 Maintenance.
A.All buffers shall be installed in a sound workmanship-like manner and according to accepted and proper planting procedures which meet the intent of the buffer requirements.
B.Once installed, the owner shall be responsible for maintenance of all buffers, which shall be maintained in good condition to as to present a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance which meet the intent of the buffer requirements.
C.Should the vegetation die or be removed such that the buffer no longer functions as required, that vegetation must be replaced by the owner.
D.The owner shall have 30 days to replace missing or damaged trees, or restore buffer areas to meet the intent of the buffer requirements.
240-140.05 Inspection of Required Buffers.

Screens, walls, fences, planted dividing strips, or any other type of buffer required by this UDO will be subject to periodic inspections by the Planning and Zoning Division to determine that such required walls, fences, planted dividing strips or any other type of buffers are being properly maintained. Failure to maintain such required walls, fences, planted dividing strips or buffers to an acceptable standard may be deemed a violation of this Section. (Ord. 22-14, 12/13/22)

Grid rebuilt from the published table · verbatim source (p. 235)
§ 240-150

Enlargement of Existing Buildings or Structures

No existing building or structure shall be enlarged unless the lot meets the minimum land area requirements of the zoning district in which said building is located.

§ 240-160

Fences and Walls

In all zoning districts, no fence, structure, planting, or other obstruction (above a height of three feet) shall be maintained within 15 feet of the intersection of the right-of-way lines extended of two streets, or of a street intersection with a railroad right-of-way.

§ 240-170

Septic Tank Approval Required

No residential or commercial building or any type residence including manufactured homes shall hereafter be erected or placed on a lot without prior application for an approved septic tank and nitrification field. No occupancy of such buildings or mobile homes is permitted until the approved septic tank and nitrification field have been completely installed. This shall not apply where public sewerage is used at the property, provided it is properly connected.

§ 240-180

Determination of Unclassified Uses

240-180.01 Procedure; Criteria.

In the event an applicant wishes to use property for a use which is not specifically identified under inherent uses, or uses allowed with the approval of a special use permit, and where such use is not specifically prohibited from the district, the following provisions shall apply:

A.The applicant shall submit to the Planning & Zoning Division Manager a written request for a determination of the unclassified use.
1.The Planning & Zoning Division Manager shall review the request as submitted and determine if the proposed use is of a similar character to the district in which it is proposed.
2.If the Planning & Zoning Division Manager determines that the use is of a similar character and meets the intent of the uses permitted inherently within the district, they shall instruct the county planner to allow said use.
3.In the event the Planning & Zoning Division Manager determines the proposed use in the district is consistent with the character and intent of a special use permit within the district, then the applicant shall apply for a special use permit subject to approval in the normal manner.
B.If the Planning & Zoning Division Manager is unable to make the determination within 14 days or the applicant chooses to appeal the staff decision, the following procedure shall apply:
1.The Planning & Zoning Division Manager shall submit to the Planning Commission and County Attorney a written request for a determination of the unclassified use at the next regular scheduled Planning Commission meeting.
2.The Planning Commission and County Attorney shall review the request as submitted and determine if the proposed use is of a similar character to the district in which it is proposed.
3.If the Planning Commission and County Attorney determine that the use is of a similar character and meets the intent of the uses permitted inherently within the district, they shall instruct Planning & Zoning Division Manager to allow said use.
4.In the event the Planning Commission and County Attorney determine the proposed use in the district is consistent with the character and intent of a Special Exception Use or Special Use Permit within the district, then the applicant shall apply for a Special Exception Use or Special Use Permit subject to approval in the normal manner.
5.In no event shall the provisions of this Section be used to allow an incompatible use or a use specifically prohibited by this ordinance within a certain zoning district.
6.Once a use has been allowed or disallowed by the Planning Commission and or planning staff, it shall then be considered classified under the appropriate category in the district.
§ 240-190

Yard Tree Requirements in Residential Districts

When planting required trees in residential districts the following regulations shall apply:

A.The required number of trees per lot shall be preserved or provided in the front or side yard provided trees are not located in utility easements, drainage easements, or septic drain fields.
B.The homebuilder shall be responsible for preserving or planting the individual lot trees prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
C.The required trees shall be selected from Table 240.5 as those designated as “Road Frontage Yard” and shall be at least 2-inch caliper DBH at time of planting.
D.Use of trees not referenced in Table 240.5 is subject to approval by Planning and Zoning Division. (Ord. 22-14, 12/13/22)
§ 240-200

Street Tree Requirements in Non-Residential Districts

The planting of street trees is required within nonresidential developments in order to enhance the appearance of such developments.

A.The minimum required tree planting is one tree for every 35 linear feet of road frontage.
B.The required trees shall be selected from Table 240.5 as those designated as “Road Frontage Street” and shall be at least 2-inch caliper DBH at time of planting.
C.Plantings may occur within parking lot islands instead of right-of-way and shall be selected from Table 240.5 as those designated for “Parking Lot Tree Islands” provided the tree count and caliper are maintained.
D.Use of trees not referenced in Table 240.5 is subject to approval by Planning and Zoning Division. (Ord. 22-14, 12/13/22)