Title 3 — Development Regulations, Chapter 300 — General Provisions.

These regulations are intended to serve the following purposes:

titles.

usable by the purchasers for their intended and permitted functions.

with the policies and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan of Paulding County.

to new land developments are in conformance with public improvement policies of the county.

both vehicular and pedestrian, in new land developments.

providing uniform procedures and standards for the developer.

development of any lands within the unincorporated area of Paulding County, or any other areas over which the Paulding County Board of Commissioners has authority pertaining to land development. These regulations apply to all land-disturbing activity and development activity, whether the development involves the subdivision of land for sale to individual users or pertains only to the construction of buildings or other improvements on a single parcel. These development standards and specifications have been revised to comply with federal, state, regional, and local criteria.

The purpose of this document adopted by the Paulding County Board of Commissioners is to encourage quality growth and development in the business sector of Paulding County while providing clear standards and procedures for all types of development. This was a cooperative effort the various departments as listed below.

All amendments and revisions to these regulations and specifications must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Commissioners.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Applicant: A person, either the owner or the bona fide representative of the owner of land or structures governed by these regulations, who seeks authority to use, develop, construct upon or otherwise enjoy the use of property through any of these procedures established under these regulations.

As-built Survey: A survey or other drawing based on a field survey which shows existing features or components and horizontal or vertical information (grades or location of improvements) as constructed.

Beginning point of a street or private drive: The end of a street or private drive designated as the beginning point as based on the street and private drive directionality rules.

Block: A piece or parcel of land entirely surrounded by public streets.

Board of Commissioners: The Board of Commissioners of Paulding County, Georgia.

Buffer (General): A barrier which is created by the use of evergreen trees or other acceptable plant or vegetative material alone or in combination with berms, fencing, or walls used to physically separate or screen one use or property from another so as to visually shield or block noise, lights, or dissimilar uses.

Buildable Lot of Record: A lot or parcel of land that existed as a single parcel of ownership, recorded as such in its entirety and present boundaries with the Clerk to Superior Court prior to June 2, 1970, or which is shown in its entirety and present boundaries on a final plat or exemption plat duly approved under these or any previously applicable regulations providing for the subdivision of land in Paulding County and recorded with the Clerk to Superior Court of Paulding County.

Building Setback Line: A line across a lot parallel to a street right-of-way or other property line establishing the minimum open space to be provided between any principal building and the street or other property line. All building setback lines shall be at least as restrictive as the corresponding minimum yard setbacks required in the International Residential Code as it pertains to Fire-Resistant Construction (See Section R302 Table R302.1(1) Exterior Walls) and Title 2: Zoning Ordinance. On corner lots, the terms of Section 240-70 shall apply.

Certificate of Completion (CC): Final approval by the Community Development Department for the use of a building not intended for immediate occupancy or to an existing building, which already possesses a Certificate of Occupancy, but has undergone improvements or a remodel, where the use or classification of the building has not changed for which a building permit was issued.

Certificate of Occupancy (CO): Final approval by the Community Development Department for the use or occupancy of a structure for which a building permit was issued.

Certificate of Occupancy, Limited: Approval by the Community Development Department for the use of a model home for sales and marketing purposes.

Certificate of Occupancy, Temporary: Approval by the Community Development Department issued before the completion of the entire work covered by the permit, provided that such portion or portions may be occupied safely. The temporary certificate of occupancy shall be issued in 30-day increments.

Clearing: The removal of trees or other vegetation, but not including grubbing activities.

Cluster Box Unit (CBU): A freestanding, pedestal-mounted box that consists of multiple mailbox compartments and parcel lockers that can lock individually. The United States Postal Service

Complex: A complex shall represent any grouping of buildings, with or without units, that is assigned a single structure (or complex) number to identify the entire grouping. A complex could represent apartments, an office park, a retail center or some other type of property.

Comprehensive Plan: Any plan by a county or municipality covering such county or municipality or any plan by a regional commission covering the center’s region proposed or prepared pursuant to the minimum standards and procedures for preparation of comprehensive plans and for implementation of comprehensive plans, established by the Department of Community Affairs in accordance with O.C.G.A § 50-8-1 and Chapter 110-12-1 of the Rules of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

Concept Plan: A drawing that shows the overall concept of a proposed development, and that may include lots and streets in a subdivision or the general location of buildings and improvements for a multi-family or nonresidential project, and that may be drawn to approximate dimensions in a freehand style. These drawings are for information purposes only and shall not be formally reviewed or approved by the county.

Condominium: A building, or group of buildings, in which dwelling units or floor area are owned individually, and the structure, common areas and facilities are owned by all the owners on a proportional, undivided basis, subject to all applicable provisions of Georgia law.

Construction Plans: A set of plans for development of a property that must be formally submitted to the Plan Review Committee for review and approval. Such plans shall include, but not be limited to, grading plans, soil erosion and sediment control plans, hydrology studies, transportation plans, water plans, sanitary sewerage plans, on-site sewer plans and public safety plans.

County. Unless otherwise stated, the term "county" shall mean Paulding County, Georgia.

Crosswalk: Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

Cut: A portion of land surface or area from which earth has been removed by excavation; also, the depth below original ground surface to excavated surface.

Developer: Any person, individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, estate, trust, or any other group or combination acting as a unit who directs the undertaking or proposes to undertake development activities as herein defined, whether the development involves the subdivision of the land for sale to individual users, the construction of buildings or other improvements on a single land ownership, or both.

Development (Noun): Any project or group of related projects constructed or planned for construction on a single parcel or on contiguous parcels under single ownership.

Development (Verb): All activities associated with the conversion of land or the expansion or replacement of an existing use to any new use intended for human operation, occupancy or habitation, other than for agricultural purposes devoted strictly to the cultivation of the land, dairying or animal husbandry. Such activities include land disturbance (clearing and grubbing the land of vegetation and stumps, and grading) and the construction of improvements such as but not limited to streets, driveways or parking areas, water or sewer mains, stormwater drainage facilities, sidewalks or other structures permanently placed on or in the property.

Development Permit: A permit issued by the Community Development Department authorizing clearing, grubbing, grading and construction of storm drainage facilities, access drives, streets, parking or other improvements exclusive of buildings.

Drainage Improvements: Those facilities and structures intended to control and direct the passage of stormwater and other surface water flows from and across a property; including, but not limited to, swales and ditches, cross drains and other piping systems, catch basins, detention ponds and velocity dissipation devices.

Driveway: A vehicular access way in private ownership, other than a private street, which provides access primarily to only one property, or to no more than two single-family detached residences.

Dwelling: Any building that contains one or two dwelling units used, intended, or designed to be built, used, rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied, or that are occupied for living purposes.

Dwelling Unit: A single unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.

Easement: A grant of one or more of the property rights by the property owner to and/or for use by the public, a corporation, or another person or entity, and recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court.

Fee Simple: A form of property ownership in which the buildings and surrounding lands are owned by the same person.

Fill: A portion of land surface to which soil or other solid material has been added; the depth above the original ground.

Final Plat: A finished drawing or drawings of the subdivision showing completely and accurately all legal and engineering information and certification necessary for recording. The finished drawing or drawings may consist of one or more drawings of the subdivision which together form the final plat, all of which must comply with the requirements of this UDO.

Fire Flow: The minimum volume flow rate of water established by the Water System with a minimum residual pressure of 20 psi.

Floor: The top surface of an enclosed area in a building (including basement), i.e., top of slab in concrete slab construction or top of wood flooring in wood frame construction. The term does not include the floor of a garage used solely for parking vehicles.

Grading: The movement of earth by mechanical means to alter the gross topographic features, including elevation and slope, to prepare a site for final grading and construction of facilities, including structures, parking lots, and roads.

Grading Permit: An official authorization issued by the Community Development Department permitting grading of a site, including Erosion and Sedimentation Control BMP’s.

Ground Elevation: The original elevation of the ground surface prior to cutting or filling.

Grubbing: The removal of stumps or roots from a property.

House Location Plan (HLP): A drawing showing lot information and all improvements, as identified in Section 320-20.02.A(b).

Land Disturbing Activity: Any activity which may result in soil erosion from and the movement of sediments into waters or onto lands within the state, including, but not limited to, clearing, dredging, grading, excavating, transporting, and filling of land but not including agricultural practices as described in the Paulding County Soil Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Control Ordinance.

Land Disturbance Permit: An official authorization issued by the Community Development Department, allowing defoliation or alteration of a site or the commencement of any construction activities, including but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, dredging, grading, excavating, transporting, and filling of land, but not including agricultural operations as defined in O.C.G.A.

§ 1-3-3.

Lot: A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by plat, subdivision or as otherwise permitted by law, to be separately owned, used, developed or built upon; also, a parcel of land, whether or not platted, in single ownership, and not divided by a street.

Lot, Corner: A lot fronting on two streets at their intersection. 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 shall be 25 feet in all zoning districts except where otherwise noted in Title 2: Zoning Ordinance.

Lot Depth: The average horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines, measured in the general direction of the side lot lines.

Lot, Double Frontage: Any lot, other than a corner lot, that has frontage on two streets.

Lot Frontage: The distance for which the front property line of the lot and the street line are coincident.

Lot Line: A line dividing one lot from another, or from a street or any public-place.

Lot of Record: A lot which is part of a lawfully created subdivision, a plat of which has been recorded in the records of the Clerk of Superior Court of Paulding County; or a parcel of land, the deed of which has been recorded in the same office as of the effective date of this ordinance.

Lot Width: The distance between side lot lines measured at the front building line.

Major Thoroughfare: Any public street, existing or proposed, which is shown in the comprehensive plan and roadway classification map as an arterial or major collector.

Major Thoroughfare Plan: An engineered or designed comprehensive plan or program of arterial, collector and minor streets and roads for all or a portion of the County. Paulding County utilizes the GDOT State Functional Classification Map for Paulding County which is found at the following link: https://itos.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=962a2591f91a4303aeafe016ba8db96b Mass Grading: The movement or redistribution of large quantities of earth over large areas involving more than one contiguous lot or more than one phase of a common plan of development occurring at one time for the purpose of balancing dirt and establishing padded lots.

Master Plan: A policy document that guides the physical development of a designated area or community.

Mean Sea Level (MSL): The average height of the sea for all stages of the tide. It is used as a reference for establishing various elevations within the floodplain. For purposes of these regulations, the term is synonymous with National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD).

National Geodetic Vertical Data (NGVD): As corrected in 1929, a vertical control used as a reference for establishing varying elevations within the floodplain.

Overstory Tree: The uppermost layer of the forest canopy; a tree or tree species with a crown that exists in, or has the potential to reach, the uppermost portion of the forest canopy. Usually over 40 feet in maximum height.

Private Easement: An easement laid out by a private owner or owners and maintained at their expense, dedicated for use by the owners for ingress and egress to their residence(s), but not accepted as public right-of-way. The street suffix for a private easement is “Path”.

Pedestrian Way: A right-of-way within a block dedicated to public use, intended primarily for pedestrians and from which motor propelled vehicles are excluded.

Plat: A map, plan, or layout, to scale of the lot, section, sub-division or development indicating the location and boundaries of properties, and prepared by a registered land surveyor. Should the plat be recorded, it shall meet the minimum State of Georgia Plat Act requirements, and as may be amended from time to time.

Preliminary Plat: A drawing that shows the perimeter boundary, topography, lot arrangements, street layout and other features of a proposed subdivision, as specified in Section 320-10.03 of these regulations.

Private Dwelling: For the purpose of these regulations, a private dwelling is a single-family or duplex residence located on any property that is not part of a platted subdivision.

Professional Engineer: means a Professional Engineer that has been licensed by the State of Georgia, having met the provisions thereof.

Professional Landscape Architect: means a Professional Landscape Architect that has been licensed by the State of Georgia, having met the conditions therein.

Project Access Improvement: Any improvement or facility that is planned and designed to provide service or access for a particular project and that is necessary for the use, safety and convenience of the occupants or users of the project and is not a system improvement. A project access improvement includes, but is not limited to: pedestrian access improvements; site driveways; new streets; median cuts; right turn lanes; left turn lanes; acceleration lanes;

deceleration lanes; traffic control measures made necessary to serve site driveways or new streets; intersection improvements whose primary purpose at the time of construction is to provide access to the project; and necessary right-of-way dedications required for any project access improvement.

Protection Area: All land which falls outside the buildable area of a parcel, all areas of the parcel required to remain open space, the dripline area beneath a tree or clusters of trees to be retained, and/or all areas required as landscaping strips or buffers according to the provisions of the Paulding County Zoning Ordinance, or conditions of zoning approval.

Pruning: The act to trim damaged, diseased, or dead branches or limbs or otherwise cut branches or limbs in a way that improves its health, productivity, or appearance, but does not harm the tree or unnecessarily reduce the overall size of the tree so as to retain or enhance the symmetrical appearance or natural shape of the tree or shrub.

Queuing Analysis: A document prepared by a traffic engineer licensed by the State of Georgia that assesses development where there is potential to generate traffic volumes, congestion delays and could impact operations of the existing street network in compliance with Chapt er 500.

Residential Street Classification: Streets are hereby classified as follows:

S2—Streets that serve from 0 to 120 dwelling units S3—Streets that serve from 121 to 250 dwelling units Any street serving more than 250 dwelling units is not classified as a residential street. For the purpose of the above shown residential street classification, the count of the number of dwelling units served by a street shall begin at its intersection with another street and continue for its duration throughout the remainder of the development, unless otherwise specified by the Plan Review Committee.

Roadway: The paved portion of a street from back of curb to back of curb (or edge to edge of pavement for streets not having curbs) but excluding driveway aprons, bridges, and large single and multi-cell culverts that in an hydrologic sense can be considered to function as a bridge.

Service Drive: A minor, permanent, private service-way which is used primarily for vehicular service access to the back or the side for commercial properties otherwise abutting on a street.

Sheet Flow: Diffused water running overland to a defined watercourse.

Shrub: A woody plant or bush of relatively low height (2-6 feet) distinguished from a tree by having several stems rather than a single trunk.

Significant Tree: Any existing, healthy, living tree 12 inches DBH or greater in size.

Site Work: Development activity to prepare a property for construction of buildings or finished structures, including clearing, grubbing, grading, drainage and installation of soil sedimentation and erosion control facilities.

Slope: The ratio of elevation change to horizontal distance, expressed as a percentage. Slope is computed by dividing the vertical distance ("rise") by the horizontal distance ("run").

Standard Design Specifications: Standards and specifications in use by the County which shall apply to the physical improvements required to be provided and installed by a subdivider in a subdivision and found in Appendix 4.0.

State Waters: As defined by Georgia Erosion Sedimentation Act, O.C.G.A. § 12-7-1 et seq., any and all rivers, streams, creeks, branches, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, drainage systems, springs, wells, and other bodies of surface or subsurface water, natural or artificial, lying within or forming a part of the boundaries of the state which are not entirely confined and retained completely upon the property of a single individual, partnership, or corporation.

Steep Slope: Any slope with a minimum rise of ten feet that has a slope percentage greater than 33 percent (ten-foot vertical "rise" over a 30-foot horizontal "run").

Street: A way for vehicular traffic whether designated as an avenue, road, boulevard, highway, alley, or other way.

Street, Alley: A minor way, private, used for service access to the back or side of properties otherwise abutting on a street.

Street, Cul-de-sac: A minor street having one end open to traffic and the other end terminated with a turnaround radius, i.e. circle for turning around at the end.

Street, Interstate: A street shown on the GDOT Functional Classification Application (https://itos.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=962a2591f91a4303aeafe016ba8db96b) which provides divided highways with full control of access, offering the highest level of mobility.

Street, Local: A street shown on the GDOT Functional Classification Application (https://itos.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=962a2591f91a4303aeafe016ba8db96b) which provides access to residential and non-residential developments.

Street, Local Nonresidential: A surface street intended primarily to provide local access to adjacent existing or planned commercial or industrial development and not for through traffic.

Street, Local Residential: A surface street intended primarily to provide local access to adjacent residential development and not for through traffic (see also, "Residential Street Classification").

Street, Major Collector: A street shown on the GDOT Functional Classification Application (https://itos.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=962a2591f91a4303aeafe016ba8db96b) which provides collection and distribution of traffic between minor collectors or local roads and arterial streets.

Street, Minor Collector: A street shown on the GDOT Functional Classification Application (https://itos.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=962a2591f91a4303aeafe016ba8db96b) which provides collection of traffic from surrounding local roads to higher classification roadways to permit convenient movement of traffic.

Street, Neighborhood Collector: A divided street designed to handle traffic volumes in excess of normal residential street generation, with one or more than one lane of traffic in each direction separated by a raised median. Neighborhood Collectors shall have no direct driveway connectivity.

Street, Private: An access way similar to and having the same function as a public street, providing access to more than one property, but held in private ownership (as distinct from a "driveway").

Street, Public: A right-of-way dedicated to and accepted by Paulding County for vehicular traffic, or over which Paulding County may hold a prescriptive easement for public access, and including designated and numbered U.S. and state highways. For the purposes of these regulations, the term "public street" shall be limited to those which afford or could afford a direct means of vehicular access to abutting property, and exclude limited access roadways which abut a property, but from which direct access may not be allowed under any circumstances.

Street, Residential: A street which provides circulation and access to abutting property in residential areas.

Street Tree: Any tree or shrub land located within the right-of-way along either side of streets or thoroughfares within the county.

Structure: That which is built or constructed.

Structure, Permanent: Any outdoor structure that is fixed in place and unable to be moved about a property.

Subdivider: Any person, individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, estate, trust, or any other group or combination acting as a unit dividing or proposing to divide land so as to constitute a subdivision as herein defined, including an agent of the subdivider.

Subdivision, Legacy. A division of land that is a transaction between immediate family members (parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, great grandparents, great grandchildren).

Subdivision, Minor. A division of a single-tract or parcel of land into two or more individual tracts of land which involve no new street or roadway.

System Improvement: Any improvement or facility such as utilities, streets, bridges or rights-of-way identified in the comprehensive plan, and any traffic control measures, landscaping or other features to same and is further designed to provide service to the community at large.

Tie point: The point of reference for a boundary survey. Said point of reference shall be an established, monumented position that can be identified or relocated from maps, plats or other documents on public record. Two GPS ties with coordinates shall be required on all final plats.

Timber Harvesting Operations: Notice provided pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 12-6-24 by all persons or firms harvesting standing timber in any unincorporated area of Paulding County for delivery as pulpwood, logs, poles, posts, or wood chips to any woodyard or processing plant located inside or outside the state of Georgia prior to entering onto the property.

Traffic Impact Analysis: A document prepared by traffic engineer licensed by the State of Georgia that assess the potential effects of a proposed development on the surrounding roadway network in compliance with Chapter 500.

Traffic Memo: A document prepared by a traffic engineer licensed by the State of Georgia that assesses the potential effects of a proposed development on the surrounding roadway network for developments with limited anticipated trip increases in compliance with Chapter 500.

Traffic Study: A document prepared by a traffic engineer licensed by the State of Georgia that assesses the surrounding roadway network in compliance with Chapter 500.

Tree: Any living, self-supporting, woody perennial plant which normally obtains a trunk diameter of at least two inches and a height of at least ten feet and typically has one main stem or trunk and many branches.

Variance: A change in the general design of a development but which shall in no way make null the standard design specifications of these Regulations.

Waiver: A request to relinquish or abandon a minimum design requirement specification of these regulations for a proposed development.

Zoning Ordinance: The zoning regulations enacted by the Board of Commissioners and set forth in the UDO.

Departments and Individuals Involved in Development.

Advisory Council for Historic Preservation.

The Advisory Council for Historic Preservation is the lead federal agency charged with the administration, regulation, and protection of national eligible and designated historic sites under Section 106 of the Federal Clean Water Act.

Alcohol License Review Board.

The Alcohol License Review Board, appointed by the Board of Commissioners, has duties outlined in Paulding Code Section 6-71.

Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC).

The ARC is responsible for the review, administration of, and permits for transportation and air quality within the 19 metropolitan regional counties.

Board of Commissioners (BOC).

The Board of Commissioners is responsible for the development of policies, ordinances, and standards involving the development process. The board hears appeals from aggrieved parties involving all areas not otherwise delegated herein.

Business License Review Board.

The Business License Review Board, appointed by the County Manager, is responsible for considering appeals regarding decisions made by the Business License Department Manager.

Cemetery Preservation Commission.

The Paulding County Cemetery Preservation Commission is responsible for protection, identification, and recommendations with respect to cemeteries within Paulding County. The Paulding County Cemetery Preservation Commission is also responsible for the administration of the Paulding County Cemetery Preservation Ordinance and recommendations regarding cemetery protection and relocation to the Board of Commissioners or Superior Court, as applicable.

Clerk of Superior Court.

The Clerk of Superior Court maintains records and processes paperwork according to the orders of the Court including receiving, recording, processing, indexing, and reproducing all documents related to real estate.

Commercial Development Assistance Review Team.

The purpose of the Commercial Development Assistance Review Team (C-DART) is to review requests for expenditure of public funds for non-residential development infrastructure projects and submit recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. The team is comprised of the County Manager, Finance Director, Community Development Director, Department of Transportation Director, Public Services Director, Water System Director and Executive Director of Paulding County Economic Development, Inc.

Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals.

The Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals is responsible for the issuance of interpretations of the building code when a disagreement arises between the building official and builders, contractors, or subcontractors; approval of requests for variances when alternative construction methods can be shown to provide an equivalent level of safety; rendering of decisions upon actions of the building official, as provided in the building codes, when properly appealed; rendering of decisions in any appeal by a builder, electrical contractor, plumbing contractor; HVAC contractor, owner, or individual holding a building permit whenever the building official:

Community Development Department.

Community Development is the development-coordinating Department for Paulding County. It is also responsible for implementing and State environmental mandates. It advises the Board of Commissioners and the general public on development and planning issues as they affect the environmental, financial, economic, legal, and social welfare of Paulding County. It has the responsibility to maintain and increase the quality of life in the County as deemed necessary by the Board of Commissioners and County residents.

The Building and Permitting Division is responsible for issuing permits for all uses and the inspections, field verifications, and implementation and enforcement of structural construction of the developments and issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.

The Building and Permitting Division is further charged with the enforcement of the following codes and ordinances:

Coosa River Conservation District.

Coosa River is one of 40 Conservation Districts across the state and represents Paulding County.

Conservation Districts are units of state government that direct natural resource management programs. They work with local farmers, landowners, other units of government, and students to educate and actively promote programs and practices that support the conservation, and use and development of soil, water, and related resources.

County Clerk.

The County Clerk is the official custodian of records for all actions taken by the Board of Commissioners.

County Manager.

The County Manager shall be the administrative head of the county government and shall be responsible to the Commission for the proper and efficient administration of all of the affairs of the county, except as other provided by law. The duties of the County Manager are detailed in Paulding County Code of Ordinance Part 1, Article 1 Section 13.1.c.1 et seq.

Department Of Transportation.

The Department of Transportation is responsible for the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the County’s transportation infrastructure

Development Waiver Review Committee.

The Paulding County Development Waiver Review Committee is tasked with consideration and requests for appeals, modifications and waivers of the Development Regulations and Design Standards and consists of Department Heads of various departments involved in the development process.

Economic Development, Inc.

Economic Development, Inc. is an outside 501(c)(6) responsible for the administration of economic incentives to attract quality business development within unincorporated Paulding County.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Environmental Protection is the federal agency involved with environmental review assessment and comments on development and CERCLA.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The federal agency that administers the national flood insurance program. FEMA prepares, revises and distributes the maps and studies referenced in these regulations.

Fire and Rescue.

Fire and Rescue is the Department responsible for ensuring that construction complies with all State and County fire laws.

Georgia Department of Agriculture.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture is the State agency responsible in part for review and approval of any cooking process and agriculture regulation and control.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

The Department of Community Affairs is the State Agency responsible for the administration, oversight, and review of local building codes, Certification of Qualified Local Governments under the Georgia Planning Act, and is primarily responsible for processing recommendations for Developments of Regional Impact and Regionally Important Resources and properties subject to the Georgia Mountain and River Corridor Protection Act.

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

The Georgia Department of Transportation is the lead State Agency over roads and bridges and permitting related to such. The Georgia Department of Transportation is tasked with review and issuance of permits for driveways and utilities along State Routes.

Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division is the State agency under the Department of Natural Resources responsible for the administration, regulations and permitting under the Federal Clean Air Act, Federal Clean Water Act, Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, and Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia.

Georgia Historic Preservation Division.

The Georgia Historic Preservation Division is the State agency responsible for the review, comments, and protection of eligible and designated historic sites.

Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority.

The State Road and Tollway Authority is the lead State Agency over roads and bridges and permitting related to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC).

The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) was formed to protect, conserve and improve the soil and water resources of the State of Georgia. The Commission's goal is to make Georgia a better place for its citizens through the wise use and protection of basic soil and water resources and to achieve practical water quality goals.

Information Technology (IT).

The Information Technology Department provides central IT support for all County Departments.

The following Divisions are involved in the development process.

Magistrate Court. The Magistrate Court handles a variety of civil and criminal matters. The Civil Division handles matters such as abandoned motor vehicles, dispossessory (landlord – tenant) actions, small claims, garnishments, weddings/marriages and personal property foreclosure. The Criminal Division issues arrest warrants.

Marshal Bureau.

The Marshal Bureau is responsible for the enforcement of the Paulding County Code of Ordinances, as may be amended from time to time.

Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (NGWPD).

The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District collaborates with 96 cities and 15 counties to conserve and protect the region’s vital yet limited water resources. Established by the Georgia legislature in 2001 and staffed by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), the Metro Water District relies on stewardship, science and data to develop and implement one of the most comprehensive water management programs in the U.S.

Northwest Georgia Regional Commission (NWGRC).

The NWGRC is the public agency for 15 northwest Georgia counties created to assist local governments on a regional basis and to develop, promote and assist in establishing coordinated and comprehensive planning.

Office of Environmental Health.

The Office of Environmental Health is a Department of the State of Georgia Paulding County Health Department, which is responsible for the enforcement of all State health codes, including on-site sewage management systems and health related issues and permitting.

Paulding County Water and Sewer Advisory Board.

The purpose of the Paulding County Water and Sewer Advisory Board is to gather public input and submit recommendations to the Board of Commissioners regarding the water and sewer system in the county and to advise and provide consultation regarding the water and sewer system.

Paulding County Water System (PCWS).

The Paulding County Water System is responsible for water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, raw water supply and dam within our dedicated service areas. The Water System is charged with the enforcement of federal and state water quality and quantity laws. The Water System is comprised of five divisions, each responsible for specific duties.

Plan Review Committee.

A committee comprised of the departments of Community Development, Fire and Rescue, Environmental Health, Transportation and Water System. The primary function of the plan review committee is to review and approve all civil and architectural plans for proposed subdivisions of property, commercial or multi-family site developments and other such similar projects that fall under the purview of these regulations.

Probate Court. The Probate Court administers wills and estates, appoints and oversees guardians and conservators and issues marriage and weapons carry licenses.

State Court. The State Court is a county court of limited jurisdiction. This court exercises jurisdiction over all misdemeanor violations and all civil action except in cases where the Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction.

Superior Court. The Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction handling both civil and criminal law actions. Superior Court Judges preside over cases involving misdemeanors, contract disputes, premises liability, and various other actions. In addition, the Superior Court has exclusive equity jurisdiction over all cases of divorce, title to land, and felonies involving jury trials, including death penalty cases.