Chapter 200 — Zoning and Land Use, Article 7 — Site Development

Chapter 200. Zoning and Land Use Article 7. Site Parking and Loading Applicability New Construction Any new building or use must comply with the parking requirements of this UDO.

Maintenance and Repair An existing building or use may be repaired, maintained, or modernized without providing additional parking if there is no increase in a building’s floor area or a use’s improved site area.

Additions When an existing building or use is increased in floor area by more than 200 square feet cumulatively, parking is only required for the additional floor.

Change in Use

Buffers and Screening Buffers Applicability This subsection applies to any Development Permit or Substantial Building Permit, except those involving individual single-family detached and two-family dwellings. Permit applications must include a separate landscape plan that has been prepared and sealed by a Georgia registered landscape architect, certified arborist, or Georgia registered forester.

Buffer Requirements A buffer is required as follows:

Minimum Buffer Strips All buffers must be established in accordance with the following:

Reduction in Width The width of the buffers required in Table 207-2.1.B may be reduced excluding stream buffer abutting the use.

City Council Requirements The City Council may:

Designation On-Site Plan Buffers must be designated on the appropriate permit application and indicated on the required site plan or final subdivision plat as "Undisturbed Buffer" or "Temporary Construction Buffer" as provided in this UDO. Orange fencing indicating buffer limits must be installed before development.

Type of Screening Buffer and Landscaping When the Director determines that the natural vegetation and topography are insufficient to achieve the desired level of screening, a screening buffer and landscaping must be provided as follows:

Table 207-2.1.C. Screening Buffer and Landscaping Species Min. Max. Spacing Common Name Botanical Name Height at within Rows Notes Form planting on-center

Thuja standishii x                Green Giant     6 ft.             12 ft.        Sun to partial      Overstory

plicata ‘Green Giant’             Arborvitae                                      shade

Tsuga canadensis                  Eastern         6 ft.             10 ft.        Sun                 Overstory

Hemlock Cedrus deodara Deodar Cedar 6 ft. 12 ft. Sun, drought Overstory tolerant Juniperus virginiana Eastern Red 6 ft. 10 ft. Sun Overstory Cedar Pinus virginiana Virginia Pine 6 ft. 6 ft. Sun Overstory Cryptomeria Japanese 6 ft. 15 ft. Sun Overstory japonica Cryptomeria Magnolia grandiflora Southern 6 ft. 15 ft. Sun to shade, Overstory Magnolia drought tolerant Ilex opaca American 6 ft. 8 ft. Sun to shade, Understory Holly drought tolerant Ilex x attenuata Savannah 6 ft. 8 ft. Sun to shade, Understory 'Savannah' Holly drought tolerant lex x attenuata Foster Holly 6 ft. 8 ft. Sun to shade, Understory 'Fosteri' drought tolerant Ilex x 'Nellie R. Nellie R. 6 ft. 8 ft. Sun to shade, Understory Stevens' Stevens Holly drought tolerant Ilex vomitoria Yaupon Holly 6 ft. 6 ft. Sun to shade, Understory drought tolerant Myrica cerifera Southern Wax 6 ft. 10 ft. Sun, drought Understory Myrtle tolerant Osmanthus Devilwood 6 ft. 8 ft. Semi-shade Understory americanus Carolina Sun to semi-Prunus caroliniana Cherry Laurel 6 ft. 8 ft. shade, drought Understory tolerant Loropetalum Loropetalum 3 ft. 5 ft. Semi-shade Shrub chinense Agarista populifolia Florida 3 ft. 5 ft. Shade Shrub leucothoe Illicium floridanum Florida Anise 3 ft. 8 ft. Shade Shrub Illicium parviflorum Small Anise- 3 ft. 8 ft. Semi-shade to full Shrub Tree shade Pyracantha Formosa 3 ft. 8 ft. Sun, drought Shrub koidzumii Firethorn tolerant Maintenance Buffer plantings must be guaranteed for the life of commercial, industrial, office, mixed-use, or residential developments. Necessary trimming and maintenance must be performed in accordance with ANSI standards to maintain the health of the plant materials, to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and to assure that the buffer actually serves the purpose for which it is intended. Any dead, diseased, or dying landscape must be replaced with similar species that conform to the minimum size requirements for new plantings required by this section.

Screening Applicability This subsection applies to any development permit or substantial building permit.

Service Areas and Dumpsters

decorative blocks; brick; stone; cast-stone; split-faced block; or true hard coat stucco over standard concrete masonry blocks.

Roof-Mounted Equipment

Wall-Mounted Equipment Wall-mounted equipment more than 2 feet in height or length and satellite dishes of any size must conform to the following:

Ground-Mounted Equipment Ground-mounted equipment more than 2 feet in height or length and satellite dishes of any size must conform to the following:

Window-Mounted Equipment Window mounted equipment, such as conditioners, is prohibited for all uses except single-family detached dwellings and two-family dwellings.

Other Accessory Structures and Uses Utility structures, maintenance structures, and other accessory structures or uses not identified in paragraphs B through F above, or in paragraph H below, located on properties not zoned RS-30, RS-30-BTR, RS-15, RS-15-BTR, RS-5, or RS-5-BTR must conform to the following:

Other Screening Requirements Certain uses such as junk or salvage yard operations and other commercial and industrial operations requiring the storage of inoperative equipment or vehicles for prolonged periods of time could present unsightly views or health hazards. To preclude this from occurring, the Director may require such operations to be completely enclosed with a fence or wall which totally obscures views of the property from adjacent public streets, built to a height greater than that of the height of the highest piece of equipment or vehicle stored on the property. Such fences or walls must be constructed of solid materials.

Fences and Walls All Districts

Fences must be free from loose or rotting materials and must have braces and supports attached or fastened in accordance with common building practices.

Nonresidential Districts

Fences are only allowed in front or side street yards, but not within a required landscape strip, when they conform to the following:

Residential Districts

Landscaping General Title This section is known as the "Landscape Ordinance."

Purpose The purpose of this section is to preserve and enhance Snellville’s natural environment. This is accomplished through the preservation, protection, and planting of trees and other landscape material, particularly those trees recognized herein as canopy and understory trees, and the provision of natural and/or planted buffers between properties of dissimilar uses as part of the land development process. The ordinance from which this section derives is intended to further the City’s policy that all development sites where trees are most commonly removed will achieve upon project completion a uniform reduction, prevention of soil erosion, production of oxygen, dust infiltration, fostering air quality through carbon dioxide absorption, providing wildlife habitat, and contributing to the aesthetic and economic value of real property.

Applicability This section applies to any development permit or substantial building permit, except those involving individual single-family detached and two-family dwellings. An application for a permit must include a separate landscape plan that has been prepared and sealed by a Georgia registered landscape architect, certified arborist, or Georgia registered forester.

Landscape Strips General Landscape Strips

Yard Required Landscape Strip Front: 10 ft. depth min.

Side corner 10 ft. depth min.

Side interior : 5 ft. depth min.

Rear: 5 ft. depth min.

Exception in the MU and NR Districts

No-Access Landscape Strips

Structures in Landscape Strip

Signs in Landscape Strip

Stormwater Runoff

Design standards All required landscape strips must be planted with a combination of trees, shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, and grass, as approved by the Director. The landscape strips must be designed with a minimum of 60% coverage in trees and large shrubs 4 ft. 4 ft. or larger . Small shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses, groundcover, and grass may not constitute more than 60% coverage of the landscape strip. All landscape strips along the public street must be planted in a manner to achieve a 2- to 3 feet tall evergreen screening buffer.

Mulching materials may not exceed 4-inches in height.

Landscape Strip Trees

all tree species tables for reference purposes.

Width Reduction

Curb Stops Required Curb stops must be used when parking perpendicular to 5-foot landscape strip, or shrubs or trees adjacent to a landscape strip must set back at least 3 feet from the edge of the curb. Creative alternatives are encouraged and must be approved by the Director.

Parking Areas Parking lots designed for eight or more spaces must be designed as follows:

The planter islands may be sized according to two different options:

Planter islands must conform to the following planting requirements:

All planter islands and landscape strips must be curbed to prevent vehicular encroachment.

Planter islands and strips must be designed to prevent compaction. This may be accomplished by planting a dense shrub cover or by elevating the planting area at least 1 foot above the curb.

Trees and underground utilities must be placed per the detail drawings in Sec. 207-3.9.

Street Trees Street Trees Required

Standards

The barriers must be a minimum of 24 inches deep and include ribs to direct root growth downward. The root barriers must be installed per the detail drawings in Sec. 207-3.9.

207-4.5.

Site Landscape Materials The following standards apply to all landscape materials, except street trees:

Landscape materials must meet the minimum guidelines as outlined in the latest edition of American Standard for Nursery Stock.

Deciduous trees must be a minimum 3-inch caliper at the time of planting.

Evergreen trees must be 6 feet tall or larger at the time of planting.

Shrubs and ornamental grasses must be 3-gallon size or larger.

Perennials must be 1-gallon size or larger.

Sod, rather than seed, must be used in all landscape strips and no-access strips that abut public right-of-way and may extend to the curb of the public roadway.

Sod, rather than seed, must be used on all single-family dwelling or two-family dwelling lots and must be installed in all areas designated for grass from the back of the curb to the front corner of all houses, at a minimum.

All species must be ecologically compatible with the intended growing site.

No more than 35% of the total number of trees planted in a development may be of the same genus, and no more than 35% of the total number of shrubs planted in a development may be of the same genus.

Evergreen trees may only be used in the interior and/or rear landscape strips.

All plant materials are subject to the approval of the Director.

Installation and Maintenance Installation Landscaping must be installed in a sound workman-like manner and according to accepted good planting procedures. The Director must inspect all landscaping and no certificate of occupancy or similar authorization will be issued unless the landscaping meets the requirements of this section.

Staking and guying Staking and guying materials must be flat, woven polypropylene photodegradable three-fourths-inch wide with 900-pound break strength and must be removed within 1 year of installation.

Irrigation

The required irrigation may include drip irrigation, gator bags, and a combination of drip irrigation and water-efficient design or a creative irrigation plan with the approval of the Director. The required irrigation must be maintained for at least 1 year after planting.

Minimum Space Requirements Newly planted trees must have adequate space to grow unobstructed to maturity, to avoid sight obstructions, and to provide clearance. The following space requirements must be met:

Location Over-story Trees Mid-canopy Trees Under-story Trees Distance to other trees 30 ft. min. 20 ft. min. 12 ft. min.

Distance to overhead 30 ft. min. 20 ft. min. 0 ft. min.

power lines Distance to light poles 30 ft. min. 20 ft. min. 10 ft. min.

Distance to fire hydrants, electrical transmission 15 ft. min. 15 ft. min. 10 ft. min.

boxes, water meters, or other infrastructure Maintenance The owner, occupant, tenant, and their respective agents, if any, is jointly and severally responsible for the maintenance and protection of all required landscaping in perpetuity, and must:

Growth of plant material at maturity must be considered where future conflicts such as view, signage, street lighting, utilities, and circulation might arise.

Water-Efficient Landscaping Water-Efficient Design Consideration The City encourages those who prepare the plans and plats required by this section to consider the use of water-efficient landscaping principles and techniques during plant selection and design.

Water-Efficient Principles and Techniques The recommended principles and techniques to be considered are as follows:

Agreement and Bonding Bonding Required The developer or owner must post a performance bond or cash escrow guaranteeing all landscaping materials and work for a period of 2 years after the approval or acceptance thereof by the City. The bond or cash escrow is required for commercial developments before the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. A maintenance bond or cash escrow is required for residential developments at the time of recording of the final plat, or the completion of the planting if planted after the recording of the final plat . A maintenance bond is required for any street trees that are planted by the builder after the final plat has been recorded. The bond must be provided by the builder or the developer before the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

Bond Amount The bond must be in the amount of 125% of the estimated cost of replacing all the required landscaping. An itemized estimate must be provided by the owner and based on the opinion of a landscape contractor and found to be reasonable by the Director.

Inspection The Director must make an inspection upon request and notify the owner or developer and the bond company of any corrections to be made within this 2-year period.

Detail Drawings Sidewalks and Streetscape Details Plan View Section View Detail for the Locations of the Root Barriers

Lighting General Purpose

Applicability All areas containing outdoor lighting, including but not limited to floodlighting, security lighting, event lighting or the lighting of off-street parking and loading areas must comply with this section.

Administration Site Lighting Plan

Light Level Measuring

Relief Relief from the requirements of this section may be granted by the City Council under the following circumstance:

Prohibited Lighting The following lighting systems are prohibited:

Aerial lasers;

Temporary searchlights and other high-intensity narrow-beam fixtures;

Mercury or sodium vapor lamps and other light sources that lack color correction or do not allow for uniform site lighting;

Cobra-head-type fixtures with dished or drop lenses or refractors, which contain sources that are not incandescent;

Blinking or flashing lights, rope lights or lights outlining architectural features other than temporary holiday lighting ; and Spotlights or floodlights mounted on any tree other than temporary holiday lighting .

Lighting Standards, Configuration, and Timing Exterior lighting must be of full cutoff design and directed downward and away from adjoining property, with luminaries shielded to prevent unnecessary glare. “Full cutoff” has the meaning established by Illuminating Engineering Society of North America IESNA and means that the luminous intensity in candelas at or above an angle of 90° above nadir is zero, and the luminous intensity in candelas at or above a vertical angle of 80° above nadir does not numerically exceed 10% of the luminous flux in lumens of the lamp or lamps in the luminaire.

Trees and shrubs may not interfere with the distribution of exterior lighting necessary for security purposes as required by this section.

Security lighting above building entrances, parking lots, off-street loading areas and service entrances must be LED or metal halide, unless permitted otherwise during plan review, and incorporated in exterior areas going to and from the building s or use s within the site.

All exterior fixtures, when used for security purposes, except for parking lot lighting, shall be illuminated from dusk until dawn, unless otherwise specifically designated on the site plan and as approved through the site plan process. All other exterior lighting that is not necessary for security purposes shall be turned off one hour after the close of business.

Any exterior lighting device designed for security lighting must be protected by weather and vandal-resistant covering, a managed light source for controlling the times of illumination and fully shielded and directed down to minimize glare and intrusiveness on adjacent properties or rights-of-way.

Lighting in multi-level parking ramps must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to maximize safety and to minimize unnecessary glare to adjacent or nearby residential areas.

Minimum Illumination Guidelines for Security Purposes All minimum illumination guidelines for security lighting listed in this section must be maintained from ground level to a height of 6 feet. The minimum to maximum uniformity ratio may range up to 6:1 in acceptable layouts. In some circumstances, customer convenience, closed-circuit surveillance, and commercial entertainment uses may require a higher level of lighting.

Outdoor lighting intensity standards When outdoor lighting is proposed or required, the following standards in the following table will apply and the “activities” as described in the table will be assigned and evaluated by the Snellville Police Department and the Director based on the use, hours of operation, and location.

Minimum Maximum Light Use horizontal Horizontal Additional Regulations Foot-candles Foot-candles Parking and outdoor 1. Areas used for parking or vehicle storage must vehicle storage 0.5 5 be illuminated in accordance with the requirements for Parking Lot Lighting.

Minimum Maximum Light Use horizontal Horizontal Additional Regulations Foot-candles Foot-candles

Outdoor display and -- 5 sales

Parks and Lighting fixtures must be designed to direct light playgrounds -- 0.5 downward, and the initial output of light sources may not exceed 1,000 lumens.

1.  Light    fixtures  mounted    on    or  under     canopy

    ceilings   must    be  full   cutoff,   unless    indirect

    lighting   is  be  used  whereby       light  is  directed

upward and then reflected down from the ceiling of the structure. In this case, light fixtures must be shielded so that direct illumination is focused Canopies and drive- 5 20 exclusively on the ceiling of the structure.

thrus 2. Lights may not be mounted on the top or sides of a canopy and the sides of a canopy may not be illuminated.

Outdoor recreation All outdoor entertainment or recreational/ sports facility lighting will be reviewed as principal or for compliance with minimum site lighting criteria and light trespass criteria and accessory use with regard to the intent of these standards to minimize the impact of light trespass and glare on all surrounding properties and public rights-of-way.

High-risk activity e.g. bank deposit 4 5 Lighting must be LED or metal halide.

night drop or ATM Medium Risk Activity e.g. convenience 2 4 Lighting must be LED or metal halide.

store open 24 hours Low-Risk Activity e.g. place of worship, 0.5 2 Lighting must be LED or metal halide.

office Light Trespass Areas containing outdoor lighting except public street lighting must limit light trespass onto adjacent property, when measured at any point along a lot line, to the requirements set forth below.

Compliance shall be achieved by utilizing fixture shielding, directional control designed into fixtures, fixture location, height, or aim, or a combination of these or other factors.

District Adjoining Subject Property Maximum Light Spillage to Adjoining Lots Measured in Foot-candles All residential districts, TC-R, NR 0.2 All nonresidential districts, TC-MU, CI 0.5 Exterior Illumination of Buildings and Other Vertical Structures When buildings or other structures are illuminated, the design for the illumination must be in accordance with the following:

The illumination of buildings is restricted to security lighting or highlighting unique architectural features.

Lighting fixtures must be located and/or aimed such that light is directed only onto the building surface. All fixtures used to illuminate buildings must be fully shielded.

For statues, monuments, fountains, or other objects for which it may not be possible to illuminate with downward lighting, upward lighting may be used only in the form of spotlights which confine the illumination to the object of interest.

If upward lighting is used to illuminate flags, only spotlights may be used; floodlights directed above the horizontal shall not be used to illuminate a flag.

Neon Lighting Light sources consisting of glass tubes filled with neon, argon, krypton, or other similar gas hereafter referred to as “neon lighting” are excluded from shielding and line-of-sight requirements; however, lighting must be included in the light trespass requirements of Sec. 207-5.7 Light Trespass .

Furthermore, neon lighting will not be considered as security lighting.

Enforcement Failure to adhere to the requirements of this section or an approved lighting plan will be deemed a violation of this UDO.

Exceptions The following types of lighting are exempt from the requirements of this section:

The temporary use of low wattage or low voltage lighting for festivals and celebrations, except where they create a hazard or nuisance from glare. Consideration of light trespass requirements must be demonstrated before commencing the use of temporary lighting.

Temporary holiday lighting for a period of no more than 30 days before the holiday and no more than 7 days after the holiday , except where they create a hazard or nuisance from glare.

Consideration of light trespass requirements must be demonstrated before commencing the use of temporary lighting.

Emergency lighting and traffic control lighting.

Underwater lighting used for the illumination of swimming pools and fountains Nonconforming Lights Authority to Continue Lawful lighting fixtures located within the City at the effective date of this UDO or which come to be located in the City as a result of annexation after the effective date of this UDO, which do not conform to the standards of this section, may continue provided the lighting remains in conformance with this section.

Ordinary Maintenance and Repair Nothing in this section relieves the owner or beneficial user of legal nonconforming lighting, or the owner of the property on which the legal nonconforming lighting is located, from the provisions of this UDO regarding safety, maintenance, and repair. Normal maintenance, including replacing light bulbs, cleaning, or routine repair of legal nonconforming light fixtures, will not be deemed to be a condition which triggers a loss of lawful status described below, unless such maintenance increases the nonconforming aspects of the lighting.

Loss of Lawful Status

or

Removal Pursuant to Public Order Lighting found by a governmental agency to create public hazard can be ordered removed or altered at any time.

Signs Purpose and Intent The City Council recognizes that signage is an important medium through which individuals may communicate commercial and noncommercial messages. However, if left completely unregulated signage can become a threat to public safety in the form of traffic hazards, a source of confusion for the intended reader, and a detriment to the aesthetic character of the city.

It is hereby declared that the aesthetic and safety interests of the City of Snellville are reasonably promoted by the provisions of this section. Accordingly, it is the intent and purpose of this section to:

Balance the rights of individuals to convey their messages through signs and the right of the public to protect against unrestricted proliferation of signs;

Further the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan which is expressly incorporated herein;

Protect the public health, welfare and safety of our citizens and others who may visit the city;

Reduce traffic and pedestrian hazards;

Promote the aesthetic qualities of the city;

Promote economic development of the city; and Ensure the fair and consistent enforcement of the sign regulations.

Notwithstanding any other restrictions in this section, signs authorized under this section may contain commercial or noncommercial messages.

While developing this section, the City Council, the Planning Commission, and staff considered and reviewed numerous studies that considered the relationship between advertising signage, public perception and traffic issues. Among the items reviewed were:

U.S. Small Business Administration, "Signage for Your Business;"

Urban Design Associates, "An Evidence Based Model Sign Code;"

ISA, "Electronic Message Display Brightness Guide;" and Daktronics, "Digital Display Sign Code Information."

Definitions Certain words and terms used in this section are defined and interpreted as follows:

Air and gas filled device. A sign using, either wholly or in part, forced air or other gas as a means of supporting its structure.

Attention getting device. A pennant, valance, propeller, spinner, ribbon, streamer, costumed character, sign spinner, balloon, or searchlight, LED light, neon light where the light source is visible from the public right-of-way or similar device or ornamentation designed for or having the effect of attracting the attention of potential customers or the general public.

Awning, retractable. A roof-like cover that is temporary or portable in nature and that projects from the wall of a building for the purpose of shielding a doorway or window from the elements and is periodically retracted into the face of the building.

Awning fixed. An awning that is constructed with a rigid frame that cannot be retracted folded or collapsed.

Banner. A sign with or without characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied to cloth, paper, flexible plastic, or fabric of any kind with only such material for backing.

Banner, arm pole. A banner attached to one or two arms mounted perpendicular to a vertical pole.

Beacon. A light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points not on the same zone lot as the light source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.

Bench sign. A sign located on any part of the surface of a bench or seat placed on or adjacent to a public right-of-way.

Building elevation. The area of the face of a building including parapet articulation height width .

Building wrap. A graphic applied to vinyl, durable mesh or cloth and applied to the exterior surface of a building consisting of images, words, or other graphic embellishments designed to attract attention to the building.

Canopy. A roof-like structure supported by columns or cantilevered supports projecting from a building and open on at least three sides. A canopy may also be detached from the building as a freestanding structure.

Attached Canopy Detached Canopy Channel letter construction. Individually illuminated letters and graphics composed of extruded metal structures with plastic faces and internal neon or L.E.D. illumination. Letters and graphics must be individually mounted to the wall surface or mounted on a raceway.

Channel letter construction, open face. Channel letter construction with clear plastic face or no face.

Standard Channel Letters Reverse Channel Letters Channel letter construction, reverse. Channel letter construction with clear plastic backing that creates a halo-lit effect.

Open Face Channel Letters Front & Back Lit Channel Letters Conversion structure: A billboard that will be converted to an electronic message board in accordance with the terms of Sec. 207-6.10.B.

Curlie spinner. See "Spinsock."

Electronic billboard: An electronic message board that will be installed on a conversion structure and operated in accordance with this ordinance.

Flag. Any fabric, banner, or bunting which has the width to length proportions of 10:19 which is typical with flags of the U.S., states, cities, counties and other organizations.

Flag, banner. See "Flag, feather."

Flag, bow. See "Flag, feather."

Flag, feather. A sign with or without characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied to cloth, paper, flexible plastic, or fabric of any kind with only such material for backing.

Feather flags are generally a single sign attached to a support post. The feather flag typically has a dimensional ratio of 4 high to 1 wide.

Flag, tear drop. See "Flag, feather."

Flag, windfeather. See "Flag, feather."

Hula wiggler. Colored strips sewn side-by-side and usually attached to a strand or string of nylon.

Mural. A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.

Pennant. Small narrow triangular or other shaped flags usually attached to a strand or string of nylon.

Removal structure. A billboard that will be removed in accordance with the terms of Sec. 207-6.10.B.

Right-of-way, public. A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, forced dedication, prescription, or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a road, sidewalk, crosswalk, railroad, electric transmission lines, oil or gas pipeline, water line, sanitary or storm sewer, and other similar uses; right-of-way is not generally part of adjacent lots and usually coincides with adjacent lot property lines.

Road frontage. The distance, measured in a straight line, from the two furthest property corners located on the same public right-of-way, excluding out lots.

Sign. Any structure, display, or device that is used to advertise, identify, direct, or attract attention to a business, institution, organization, person, idea, product, service, event, or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, design characteristics, symbols, logos, fixtures, movement, or illumination.

Sign, abandoned. Any sign that no longer serves the functional purpose for which it was originally erected due to physical deterioration.

Sign, animated. A sign with action, motion, rotation or changing colors, excluding electronic message board signs and signs which indicate only time, temperature, or date or any combination thereof.

Sign, area. The entire area within a continuous perimeter, enclosing the extreme limits of the sign structure, not to include the first 24 inches of the base height of a monument sign. Curved, spherical, or any other shaped sign face area will be computed based on the actual surface area. The copy of signs composed of individual letters, numerals, or other devices will be the sum of the area of the smallest rectangle or other geometric figure encompassing each of said letter or device as well as spaces between each letter or device.

Sign, awning. A sign painted, stamped, perforated, or stitched, or otherwise applied on the valance of an awning.

Sign, canopy. A sign affixed to, superimposed upon, or painted on any roof-like structure, which extends over a sidewalk or walkway or vehicle access area.

Sign, door. A sign that is applied or attached to the exterior or interior of a door or located in such manner within a building that it can be seen from the exterior of the structure through a door.

Sign, double-faced. A sign with two display areas against each other or where the interior angle formed by the display areas is 60 degrees or less, where one face is designed to be seen from one direction and the other from another direction.

Sign, electronic message board. A sign that uses changing lights or colors to form a sign message or messages wherein the sequence of messages and the rate of change is electronically programmed and can be modified by electronic processes.

Sign, entrance. A permanent sign located at a public street or private driveway entrance to a platted residential subdivision/development, multifamily development, nonresidential office park or industrial park, or office-condominium development which identifies said development or subdivision.

Sign, face. The surface upon, against, or through which the sign intends to advertise, identify, direct, or attract attention, not including the base of monument signs other sign support system.

Sign, flashing. A sign, the illumination of which is not kept constant in intensity at all times when in use, and which exhibits marked changes in lighting effects. Illuminated signs which indicate only the time, temperature, or date or any combination thereof shall not be considered as flashing signs.

Sign, freestanding. A permanent sign with no decorative base that is supported by one or more upright poles, columns, or braces placed in or on the ground and not attached to any building or structure.

Sign, grandfathered. See "Sign, nonconforming."

Sign, height. The distance in vertical feet from the elevation of the adjacent dedicated public street, the edge of the pavement, to the highest point of the sign structure. For property with an elevation higher than the adjacent public street, the height is measured from ground level at the base of sign to the highest point of the sign structure. The ground may not be altered for the sole purpose of providing additional sign height.

Sign, illuminated. A sign illuminated in any manner by an artificial light source.

Sign, material. Signs may be constructed from any of the following materials either singly or in combination.

Sign, menu board. A freestanding sign oriented to the drive-through lane for a restaurant that advertises the menu items available from the drive-through window.

Sign, mobile. A sign which is attached to, mounted on, pasted on, painted or drawn on any vehicle, whether motorized or drawn, which is placed, parked or maintained at one particular location.

Sign, monument. A permanent ground sign designed so the base of the sign face is flush with the supporting base and the supporting base is flush with the ground. Sign must include a solid, decorative base and may include a decorative frame. The base must be at least as wide as the sign and/or frame upon it and a minimum of two feet in height. Decorative base and frame materials include stone, brick, EIFS or true hard coat stucco. No support posts may be exposed. Electrical disconnect and/or meter base may not be visible from the public right-of-way.

Sign, nonconforming. Any sign and its supporting structure that does not conform to all or any portion of this section and was in existence and lawfully erected before the effective date of this UDO; and was in existence and lawfully located and used in accordance with the provision of any prior ordinances applicable thereto, or which was considered legally nonconforming thereunder, and has since been in continuous or regular use; or was used on the premises at the time it was annexed into the City and has since been in regular and continuous use.

Sign, portable. A movable sign that is not attached to a structure or the ground and includes: A-boards, portable reader boards, and similar type sign.

Sign, pre-menu board. A freestanding sign that is secondary to and located before a menu board sign and oriented to the drive-through lane for a restaurant that advertises the menu items available from the drive-through window.

Sign, projecting. A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support and which projects more than 12 inches from such building.

Sign, roof. A sign projecting over the coping of a flat roof, or over the ridge of a gable, hip or gambrel roof, and supported by or attached to said roof.

Sign, spinner. Referring to a person carrying a sign that stands, walks or performs along the street.

This definition also applies to costumed characters or street performers.

Sign, swinging or rotating. Any sign that is mounted such that the sign may freely move back and forth.

Sign, temporary. Any sign or device that is not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure and/or is designed to remain in place for a limited time. This includes, but is not limited to, signs which are designed to be transported regularly from one location to another, signs placed into the ground on a temporary basis or nonpermanent foundation, signs utilized by sign spinners, or signs tethered to an existing structure.

Sign, vehicle. A graphic applied to the exterior surface of a vehicle and designed to advertise, identify, direct, or attract attention to a business, institution, organization, person, idea, product, service, event, or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, design characteristics, symbols, logos, fixtures, colors, movement, or illumination.

Sign, wall. A sign fastened to the wall of a building in such a way that the wall is the supporting structure for, or forms the background surface of, the sign and which does not project more than 12 inches from such building. The total signage on one side of a building or structure constitutes one wall sign.

Sign, wayfinding. A standalone freestanding sign that may be part of a greater wayfinding system which is used to identify a particular location or serve as directional signage to effectively navigate people through a space; or convey general and/or regulatory information.

Sign, window. A sign that is applied or attached to the exterior or interior of a window or located in such manner within a building that it can be seen from the exterior of the structure through a window.

Spinsock. A spinning windsock.

Tail feather. See "Flag, feather."

Vehicle wrap. See "Sign, vehicle.”

Wind cone. See "Windsock."

Wind sleeve. See "Windsock."

Windsock. A tapered, open-ended sleeve pivotally attached to a standard.

Signs Prohibited Prohibited Signs The following types of signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:

This section shall not prohibit signs promoting the legalization of any matter presently prohibited by federal, state, or local law;

Removal of Prohibited Signs The City is empowered to remove or cause to be removed at the owner's expense all prohibited signs.

Signs Permitted Residential Districts Signs permitted and regulated in residential zoning districts include:

official City color palette shown in Figure 207-6.4.

Rebuilt from the published figure · verify at source ↗Copy image

Gross Building Elevation Face Min. Sign Area Max. Sign Area Area 0—1,000 sf. 36 sf. 5.0% of face area 1,001—2,600 sf. 60 sf. 5.0% of face area 2,601—3,600 sf. 120 sf. 4.0% of face area 3,601—4,500 sf. 140 sf. 4.0% of face area over 4,500 sf. 160 sf. 3.5% of face area

Signs Exempt The following types of signs are exempt from the requirements of this section unless otherwise expressly prohibited by Sec. 207-6.3 Signs Prohibited . These signs must meet the height and setback requirements of this section. No permit is required. Signs that are constructed of degradable material may be posted for a maximum period of 90 days. Nothing will prevent such a sign from being replaced by an identical sign:

General Requirements In addition to the requirements of Sec. 207-6.3 Signs Prohibited , Sec. 207-6.4 Signs Permitted , and Sec. 207-6.5 Signs Exempt , the following regulations also apply:

Setbacks Signs may not be located in the right-of-way and must be at least 10 feet from the back of the curb or edge of the pavement of the adjacent street, whichever is greater. Signs on a corner lot located at the intersection of two streets must be located outside of the sight distance triangle, measured 30 feet from the intersecting lines of the street right-of-way or at least 15 feet from the back of the curb or edge of pavement of the adjacent streets, whichever is greater.

Multiple Signs No business is allowed to install an additional conforming sign until it has removed any existing nonconforming signs. Provided, however, that on lots with three or more businesses, at least two of which are party to a lease or leases, any business that does not own or control the nonconforming sign may erect a wall sign.

Street Numbers Monument signs must include the numeric street address of the property upon which it is located.

The numbers used to identify the address may be no less than 5 inches in height and no more than 9 inches in height.

Illumination Excluding electronic message board signs, internally illuminated signs may not exceed 20 foot-candles at a distance of 10 feet from such structure. Externally illuminated signs must be lighted so that lights are positioned in such a manner that light does not produce glare nor does it shine into the eyes of motorists or pedestrians so as to create a hazardous or dangerous condition.

Externally illuminated signs must have lights with directional cut offs which do not allow the light source to be seen by passersby. All fixtures must be ground-mounted. No more than two fixtures per side. No more than 2% of light may go above horizontal.

Banners Banners are permitted in nonresidential and mixed-use districts and special uses in residential districts subject to the approval of a banner permit issued by the Director and subject to the following criteria:

Banners and/or feather flags not in excess of 32 square feet in area cumulative to be attached to the building facade or to a permanent sign or placed in the ground, must be located out of right-of-way or at least 10 feet from the back of the curb or edge of pavement of the adjacent street, whichever is greater.

A banner permit may be issued for each occurrence not to exceed two, 14-day periods and one, 21-day period per calendar year per establishment.

Feather flags are limited to one flag per business and must be located out of right-of-way or at least ten feet from the back of the curb or edge of the pavement of the adjacent street, whichever is greater. Feather flags are permitted for no more than two, 14-day periods and one, 21-day period each calendar year.

Electronic Message Boards Electronic message boards are permitted only in the locations described in this section and only after site plan approval from the Director. The City Council may request a hearing to review the site plan and sign permit. This section does not apply to electronic billboards.

Permitted Districts

Sign Types to Utilize Electronic Message Boards Electronic messaging may be an element of a monument, freestanding, fuel pump canopy, menu board, pre-menu board or window/door sign. Wall signs may not contain electronic messaging.

Size and Location Requirements Electronic message boards must meet the size and placement requirements of this subsection.

Only one window/door electronic message board sign allowed per location. No electronic message board window/door sign may exceed 15 square feet in total display area.

Intensity of Light

√ 12 100 34.6 ft. measuring distance

Default Control

General Procedures The following procedures must be followed by all persons erecting signs:

Conformance and Permits All signs erected, replaced, modified or relocated must be in conformance with all ordinances and codes of the City. A sign permit must be secured from the Director. This permit must be issued before installation or modification of any sign. No permit is required for any change in lettering, text or graphis displayed on a display board, provided no modification is made to the size or location of the sign. No permit is required for those signs exempt under Sec. 207-6.5 Signs Exempt . The discretion of any City official reviewing a sign permit application is to determine if the application and the proposed sign are in compliance with this section. No official reviewing a sign permit application or building or electrical permit application for a proposed sign may consider the content of any message on a proposed sign.

Application Procedure Applications for sign permits required above must be filed by the sign owner or their agent with the Department upon forms furnished by the Director.

Expiration Date A sign permit becomes null and void if the sign for which the permit was issued has not been completed within 6 months after the date of approval.

Sign Fees No permit may be issued until the appropriate application has been filed with the Department and fees have been paid. If any person, company, firm or corporation begins work for which a permit is required by this section without taking out a permit, they must pay three times the amount of the applicable above-described fee Nonconforming Signs General Nonconforming signs which met all legal requirements when erected may stay in place until the deterioration of the sign or damage in accordance with the maintenance and removal requirements of this section, unless the damage to the sign was caused by circumstances beyond the owners control in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 32-6-83, in which case the owner m either repair or remove the sign. However, no other structural repairs, changes in shape, size or design to nonconforming signs or replacement of nonconforming signs are permitted except to make a nonconforming sign comply with all requirements of this section.

Billboard Conversion and Reduction

Animation, flashing, blinking, and video images are prohibited;

Maintenance and Removal Sign Maintenance Every sign, including those specifically exempt from this section with respect to permits and permit fees, must be maintained in good structural condition at all times. All signs must be kept neatly painted, including all metal parts and supports thereof that are not galvanized or of rust-resistant material. All signs must be free from: rust or holes on or in the sign or sign structure;

broken, missing, loose or bent parts; faded or flaking paint; nonoperative or partially nonoperative illuminating or mechanical devices; and/or missing letters/graphics in sign copy.

The Director will inspect and has the authority to order the painting, repair, alteration, or removal of a sign which constitutes a hazard to safety, health or public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or obsolescence.

Dangerous or Defective Signs No person may maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises owned or controlled by him any sign which is in a dangerous or defective condition. Any such sign must be removed or repaired by the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises.

Removal of Signs by the Director The Director must cause to be removed any sign that endangers the public safety, such as a dangerous, or materially, electrically, or structurally defective sign, or a sign for which no permit has been issued. The Director must prepare a notice which describes the sign and specifies the violation involved and which states that, if the sign is not removed or the violation is not corrected within 10 days, the sign will be removed in accordance with the provisions of this subsection Notice For all signs the notice must be issued to the owner of the property on which the sign is located as shown on the last tax record. If known, or with reasonable care should be known, the notice must be mailed to or delivered to the owner of the sign and/or the occupant of the property.

Appeal/Administrative Review Any person with an interest in the sign or the property may appeal the determination of the Director ordering removal or compliance by filing a written notice of appeal with the Board of Appeals within 30 days after the date of mailing of the notice of violation, or 30 days after receipt of the notice if the notice was hand-delivered not mailed. The Board of Appeals must review said application at the next regularly scheduled meeting. If the Board of Appeals fails to reach a decision excluding postponement of meeting or agenda item during its next regularly scheduled meeting, the appeal will be deemed to be granted. Applications for appeals are subject to provisions of Chapter 100 of this UDO.

Notwithstanding the above, in cases of emergency, the Director may cause the immediate removal of a dangerous or defective sign without notice.

Utilities Placement of Utilities General Standards Authorized public underground utilities must be located within a public street right-of-way of a public street or within an easement designated for such use. Within a public street right-of-way, placement of the various authorized utilities power, gas, cable TV, water and sewer must be placed underground, be noted on the plans and must conform to the specific locations designated for such use by the City, as illustrated in the City’s standard drawings.

Private underground utility standards No other underground utilities, such as private lawn sprinkler systems, yard lighting, etc., may be installed within a public right-of-way or easement except by authorization of the Department.

Such authorization, if issued, requires the applicant to assume all repair costs of the applicant's facilities should they be damaged during the course of installation, maintenance or repair of any of the public utilities authorized to occupy said right-of-way or easement.

Manholes and valve boxes Utility manholes and valve boxes must be brought flush to the finished grade within the roadway section.

Street Cut Limitations Street cuts are not allowed within existing public roadways unless deemed absolutely necessary due to the presence of rock, the need to tap into an existing line beneath the road surface, or other circumstance which makes boring impossible or infeasible.

concrete base, and 2 inches of 9.5 mm Superpave Type II wearing course asphalt to be spread.

Approval

Lane/Road Closure Notification In advance of the closure of traffic lanes or roadways, notify the City and responsible party of the roadway at least 24 hours in advance. Please note that depending on the classification of the road in need of closure, it may be necessary to coordinate with the GDOT or Gwinnett County Department of Transportation, and their minimum notification period may be greater.

Water System, Fire Hydrants, Wells Water Main Connections The developer must install or have installed a system of water mains connected to a public water supply system in accordance with the requirements of the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources DWR .

Design

Installation Timetable Within the Gwinnett County DWR’s jurisdiction, water mains and appurtenances must be installed after installation of the curbs and gutters and before paving, or after staking of the curb line and submission to the water system of an as-graded survey of the street profile accompanied by a certification executed by the owner as required by the water system that the subgrade will not change. Water mains must be relocated as necessary to meet water system regulations before approval of development conformance, if improperly located to final curb line or grade.

Potable Water Supply Wells

Easements General Temporary construction easements and permanent easements for public utilities or other public facilities must be dedicated to Gwinnett County and recorded in accordance with county requirements. Easements must be shown on all plats and/or plans submitted to the City of Snellville for review. All easements must be stabilized in accordance with the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia.

Drainage Easements Drainage Easements must conform to Sec. 404-1.7 Drainage Easements .

Sanitary Sewerage Sanitary sewerage must conform to the requirements of Chapter 106, Article III. Sewer Service, Division 1 of the Gwinnett County Code.

New and replacement sanitary sewage systems must be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system and discharges from the systems into floodwaters.