ORDINANCES AND ENFORCEMENT
 
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
PLANNING DIRECTOR PAUL SOUDI
Physical Address: 309 Airport Road, Bainbridge, Georgia 39817
Mail to be sent to: P.O. Box 726, Bainbridge, Georgia 39818.
OFFICE HOURS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Email: psoudi@bellsouth.net or decaturcounty265@bellsouth.net
Telephone: (229) 248-3018, Fax: (229) 246-4480
The goal of the County Planning Department is to protect the public's safety, health and general welfare and to maintain quality of life in the community while preserving its lifestyle and values. The department ensures consistency of the planning activities taking place in Decatur County with policies included in Decatur County's Comprehensive Plan pertinent to growth and development of the County. The department is divided into four divisions: Planning, Zoning, Building Permitting & Inspection.
The Planning Board is a seven-member board that meets at 1:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the Commissioners' Boardroom at the Administrative offices on Broughton Street in Bainbridge when there are Planning Department matters to discuss. It reviews preliminary and final plats for subdivisions or other proposed developments and makes determinations on variance or hardship requests from citizens, among other things. The current board is composed of: Chairperson Dean Free, and members Alan Davis, Kelvin Bouie, David Conoly, June Faircloth, James Cooper, and Charles Hadsock, with Planning Department Director Paul Soudi acting as secretary for the monthly meetings.
Planning Division
The Planning Division is responsible for preparing the County's Comprehensive plan, which includes policies and objectives for the growth and development of the community, as well as preparing the necessary County regulations for day to day operation and management of the County. The Planning Division maintains and updates the Comprehensive Plan, to ensure its consistency with State and Federal laws. The adopted regulations include the Land Development and Construction Regulation Ordinance, Sign Ordinance, and all other applicable County ordinances. The Planning Division staff intends to provide information to citizens, residents or members of the business community on interpretation and administration of the regulations adopted by the County.
The Decatur County Land Development and Construction Regulations can be purchased from the Planning Department for $25.00. The Subdivision Procedures are available for download.
Zoning Division
Decatur County has not yet adopted a zoning ordinance but regulates usage of land through other ordinances, one of which is the County Subdivision Regulations Ordinance, which serves as a development guide to proper land divisions for residential or commercial and construction of permanent and temporary structures within Decatur County. This Ordinance, also, works as a framework for coordinating review of the development proposals with other local and state government entities including, but not limited to, Decatur County Environmental Health Department, Georgia Department of Transportation, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Flint River and Spring Creek Corridor Protection Ordinance is an ordinance that regulates land uses within 100 feet on both sides of the river, as measured from the river banks, in protection of the environmentally sensitive areas of Decatur County.
Building Permitting & Inspection
The Building Permitting and Inspection Division is dedicated to helping protect the life, health and property of all the citizens of Decatur County from hazards of faulty design and construction.
This division is responsible for evaluating building plans, submitted for review and enforcing Building Code, as well as other County ordinances related to building such as Manufactured Home and Travel Trailer Regulations, Multi-Family Housing Regulations, Building and Construction Regulations, Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, and Standards for Telecommunication Antennae and Towers. Permits are issued for buildings, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), plumbing and electrical work. For land disturbance activities, please contact the Natural Resources Department, Environmental Protection Division at: (229) 430-4144.
Craig Smith, Decatur County Building Official may be reached at (229) 248-3018 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by e-mail at craigsmith206@bellsouth.net.
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