§ 503. Development standards for R-1 districts.

In addition to the development standards contained in article 4 of this ordinance, the following standards are required within R-1 districts:

A.	Minimum heated floor area per dwelling unit	975 square feet.
B.	Minimum lot area	As may be approved by the Screven County Health Department pursuant to the provisions of Georgia law, but in no case less than the following: (1) 15,000 square feet if public water and public sewage is available; (2) 21,780 square feet if public water is available, but public sewage is not available; and (3) 1 acre if private water and sewage disposal is required. A lot of record, lawfully existing on June 10, 1997, and having an area which does not conform to the standards set out above may nevertheless be developed with a use permitted in an R-1 district, provided it is approved by the Screven County Health Department.
C.	Minimum lot width	Lots of less than one acre shall have a minimum width of 100 feet, measured at the front setback line. Lots of one acre or more shall have the following minimum widths, measured at the front setback line: (1) 125 feet, if public water and sewage are not available; (2) 100 feet, if public water is available, but public sewage is not available; and (3) 80 feet if both public water and public sewage is available.
D.	Minimum front yard setback	Lots less than 1 acre	35 feet
		For lots fronting
		Arterial street	80 feet
		Collector street	60 feet
		Local street	40 feet
E.	Minimum side yard setback	Lots of less than 1 acre fronting on:
		Interior	15 feet
		Street	25 feet
		Lots of 1 acre or more fronting on:
		Arterial street	20 feet (interior)
			40 feet (corner lots only)
		Collector street	15 feet (interior)
			30 feet (corner lots only)
		Local street	10 feet (interior)
			20 feet (corner lots only)
F.	Minimum rear yard setback	Lots of less than 1 acre	25 feet
		Lots of 1 acre or more
		Arterial street	20 feet
		Collector street	10 feet
		Local street	10 feet

 

G.

Maximum building height: The maximum building height shall be 35 feet; however, this height limit does not apply to projections not intended for human habitation. For buildings and structures with such projections, the minimum required yards must be increased one foot for every two feet (or part of two feet) of height greater than 35 feet. The maximum percentage of lot coverage for lots of less than one acre shall not exceed 30 percent.

H.

Conversion of dwellings: The conversion of any building into a dwelling shall be permitted only within a district in which a new building for similar occupancy would be permitted under this ordinance, and only when the resulting occupancy will comply with the requirements governing new construction in such district with respect to minimum lot size, lot area per dwelling unit, percentage of lot coverage, dimensions of yards and other open spaces.

I.

Sight distance: Within 30 feet of an intersection's pavement edge, plants cannot be of a type which will exceed a height of 30 inches at maturity and/or a trunk diameter of four inches. There may be some flexibility in regard to the maximum trunk diameter when protected by a guardrail or some other suitable type barrier beyond 30 feet from pavement edge. Almost any type of planted vegetation is permissible.

J.

Applicability to land and building: No building, structure or land may be used or occupied—and no building or structure or part of a building or structure may be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered—unless in conformity with all of the regulations specified for the district in which it is located.

K.

Every use must be on a lot: No building or structure may be erected or use established unless upon a lot as defined by this ordinance.

L.

Only one site-built, single-family, detached dwelling or manufactured home, and accessory buildings related to said dwelling or home, may be erected on any residential lot in the R-1 district. Where a non-residential use is permitted, more than one principal building and its accessory buildings may be erected on a lot in an R-1 zoning district.

M.

Open space not to be encroached upon: No open space may be encroached upon or reduced in any manner except in conformity with the yard, setback, off-street parking spaces, and other such required development standards contained in the ordinance. Shrubbery, driveways, retaining walls, fences, curbs, and buffers (see definition in article 2) are not considered to be encroachments of yards. Open space areas as required by this ordinance must be permanently maintained as open space in accordance with the requirements of this ordinance.

N.

Reduction of yards or lot area: Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance, a lot existing at the time of passage of this ordinance may not be reduced, divided, or changed so as to produce a tract of land which does not comply with the minimum dimension or area requirements of this ordinance for the district in which it is located unless that reduction or division is necessary to provide land which is needed and accepted for public use.

O.

Lots with multiple frontage: In the case of a corner lot or double frontage lot, front yard setback requirements apply to all lot lines abutting a street.

P.

Landlocked lots: In the case of a landlocked lot (a lot without direct access to a public street or road) lawfully existing as of the effective date of this ordinance, the property owner is entitled to one building permit, as long as all of the following requirements are met:

1.

No other principal building exists or is being constructed on the property.

2.

No other valid building permit has been issued prior to the effective date of this ordinance and is currently valid.

3.

The property was and continues to be under single ownership since the effective date of this ordinance.

4.

The property owner has acquired a 30-foot easement to a city, county, or state maintained street or road, and the easement has been duly recorded or was made a part of the property deed.

5.

In the event the property is divided, no additional permits will be issued.

Q.

Street frontage: No principal building may be erected on any lot which has less than 30 feet of immediate frontage on at least one public street.

R.

Yards and other spaces: No part of a yard, other open space, off-street parking, or loading space required for another building may be included as a part of the yard, off-street parking, or loading space required for another building, except as specifically provided for in this ordinance.

S.

Substandard lots: Any lot existing at the time of the adoption of this ordinance, which has an area or a width which is less than required by this ordinance, is subject to the following exceptions and modifications:

1.

Adjoining lots in same ownership: When two or more adjoining and vacant lots within a nonapproved development with continuous frontage are in a single ownership at the time of application and such lots have a frontage or lot area less than is required by the district in which they are located, such lots must be replatted or reparceled so as to create one or more lots which conform to the minimum frontage and area requirements of the district.

2.

Single lot: When a lot has an area or frontage which does not conform with the requirements of the district in which it is located, but was a lot at the effective date of this ordinance, such a lot may be used for any use allowed in the zoning district in which it is located as long as all other requirements of this ordinance are met.

T.

Encroachment on public rights-of-way: No building, structure, service area, required off-street parking, or loading/unloading facility is permitted to encroach on public rights-of-way.

U.

Physical design standards: Minimum design standards for driveways, loading areas, and other such physical site improvements are contained in [the] Screven County Subdivision Regulations.

V.

Off-street parking and service requirements: Minimum standards for off-street parking and service requirements are contained in the Screven County Standard for Off-Street Parking and Service Facilities (appendix B [to this appendix]).

W.

Other applicable development regulations: Information concerning any other applicable development regulations may be obtained by consulting the zoning administrator.

X.

Signs: Minimum design and location standards are contained in article 18 herein, The Screven County Sign Ordinance.

(Ord. of 11-9-2004(2), § 8; Ord. of 9-25-2007, §§ 2—7)