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1. How does the Planning Department provide notice to the public about zoning & development issues?

The Planning Department relies upon a variety of media to issue public notice. For public notices required by local ordinance and state statutes, a legal advertisement is placed in the Athens Banner Herald and a sign is posted on the subject property. Notification letters are mailed to all property owners within 400 feet of a proposed rezone, special use, or planned development, and within 400 feet of some demolitions (if the district commissioner requests a 90 day review of a proposed demolition, notices are mailed). Email notifications are sent out via the Neighborhood Notification Initiative.

2. What kinds of projects require public notification?

Applications for rezoning, planned developments, special use permits, variances and certificates of appropriateness require public notification via legal advertisements and sign postings at the subject properties. By adopted policy of the Mayor and Commission, all of the above except variances and certificates of appropriateness also require mailed notices to surrounding property owners. Demolition proposals require a mailed notice and sign posting if the district commissioner requests a 90 day review. Preliminary plat applications also require public notification via legal advertisement.

3. If I have received a public notice, how do I find out more information about that specific project?

Call the Planning Department at 706-613-3515, email planning@accgov.com, or visit us at 120 W. Dougherty Street from 8 AM – 5 PM Monday through Friday.

4. How can I comment on a proposed project?

The Hearings Board, Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission all have monthly public hearings for projects placed on their agendas. Meeting agendas are posted online and information about the projects is sent out through required legal notice procedures and through the Neighborhood Notification Initiative. Anyone may attend a board or commission meeting and comment on record about a proposed project, as follows:

• Hearings Board Any person may address the Hearings Board concerning the item under consideration for up to three minutes. The petitioner may speak for up to ten minutes. A person may register with the Secretary prior to the start of the meeting to speak for up to ten minutes.
  
  Written comment: Can be submitted any time prior to the meeting.
• Historic Preservation Commission Any person may address the Historic Preservation Commission concerning the item under consideration for up to three minutes. The petitioner may speak for up to ten minutes. All speakers must state their name and home address upon approaching the podium to speak.
  
  Written comment: If you are not able to attend the public meeting, you may submit comments in writing. In order to have written comments reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission prior to their vote on an item, submit 10 copies of your letter or other document, including your name and address, to the Planning Department no later than one week before the meeting.
• Planning Commission Any person may address the Planning Commission concerning the item under consideration for up to three minutes. The petitioner may speak for up to ten minutes. A “specified interest group”, such as a representative for a neighborhood, may speak for up to ten minutes only if they register with the Secretary prior to the start of the meeting. All speakers must state their name, home address and occupation upon approaching the podium to speak.
  
  Written comment: If you are not able to attend the public meeting, you may submit comments in writing. In order to have written comments reviewed by the Planning Commission prior to their vote on an item, submit 15 copies of your letter or other document, including your name and address, to the Planning Department no later than noon the day before the meeting.
• Because projects submitted for Plans Review are reviewed under existing zoning regulations, a public hearing is not required. Anyone may attend a Plans Review meeting to observe.

5. Do I need a permit for a fence?

Yes. Approval of a Zoning Permit from the Planning Department is required prior to construction of a fence. Section 9-15-1 of the Zoning & Development Standards lists the maximum height and other standards for fences and freestanding walls.

6. Do I need a permit for a storage shed?

Yes. Approval of a Zoning Permit from the Planning Department is required prior to construction or installation of an accessory structure, including sheds, gazebos, swimming pools, detached garages, etc. Standards for maximum allowable lot coverage, building setbacks and maximum height depend on the zoning designation of the property, but the standards in Section 9-15-12 apply to most residential accessory structures. A Building Permit may be required from the Building Permits and Inspections Department, depending on the structure.

7. May I operate a business out of my home?

Some businesses may be approved as home occupations. Approval of a Home Occupation Application from the Planning Department is required prior to issuance of a Business Occupation Tax Certificate from the Finance Department to legally operate a business from your home. Section 9-15-16 of the Zoning & Development Standards lists the zoning provisions for home occupations.

8. What do I need to know to operate a mobile food (or food truck) vendor unit?

A mobile food vendor unit may operate anywhere permitted by Section 6-6-8 of the Athens-Clarke County Code of Ordinances. To operate a mobile food vendor unit, you must apply for a permit with Central Services (for street merchant-assigned locations) or with the Finance Department (for itinerant merchants). Additional permits/approval/inspections may be needed from the Solid Waste Department, Health Department, and the Fire Department. Contact those departments for further assistance.

Click here for the mobile food vendor permit application.