§ A. A-1 agricultural zoning district.

(1)

Purpose and intent. The A-1 district is comprised of land having a predominantly rural character and provides locations for large parcels of undeveloped land, agricultural uses, and single-family residential uses on larger tracts of land. These areas are generally within or on the edge of properties delineated for residential categories.

(2)

Permitted uses. Within the A-1 agricultural zoning district, the following uses are permitted:

(a)

Single-family dwellings and class II manufactured homes (in accordance with ordinance relating to erection, installation, and use of factory-built buildings and dwelling units, manufactured homes, and mobile homes) with a minimum of 1,100 square feet of heated area required.

(b)

Accessory buildings and uses located on the same lot or parcel of land as the principal building and customarily incidental to the permitted use subject to the following:

1.

No accessory building shall be constructed on a lot until either (a) construction on the main building has been actually commenced or (b) until the applicant has received approval by the Paulding County Public Works Executive Committee for the construction thereof.

2.

All non-agricultural related accessory buildings, structures, and uses shall maintain a minimum setback of ten feet from side or rear yard property lines.

3.

Accessory buildings, structures, or uses shall not be erected on or project into any required front yard setback.

4.

Accessory buildings shall not be occupied by humans and may not be utilized for the operation of a business from the accessory building.

(c)

Recreational buildings: If the agricultural property lot is larger than 25 acres, then it shall be permitted to construct a recreational building in additional to other permitted structures on the property, provided the same has a water and sewage/septic system, receives a valid certificate of occupancy and is subject to a minimum setback of 150 feet from all adjacent property lines.

1.

Recreational buildings shall not be utilized for the operation of a business from the recreation building nor shall it be occupied as a permanent residence.

(d)

Agricultural facilities such as chicken houses, swine enclosures, dairy barns, stables, corrals, or other facilities used to house livestock, horses, non-domestic animals (excluding wild and exotic animals), poultry, or odor producing agricultural uses shall be located no less than 50 feet from the side and rear property lines and 100 feet from the front property line. Fences for horses and cows are excluded from these setbacks, but are recommended to be setback off the property line by a minimum of three inches.

(e)

Agriculture, farming, and forestry activities; livestock, poultry production, and horses provided that all animals except those generally recognized as household pets are kept in a structure, pen, or corral and not permitted to roam at large. Structures, pens, fences, and corrals must meet setbacks as specified in (d) above.

(f)

Churches, synagogues, and similar places of worship and their customarily related uses, on tracts of no less than five contiguous acres, provided that any building for such proposed use is located no less than 50 feet from front and rear property lines and 25 feet from the side property lines.

(g)

Commercial and private dog kennels, provided all outdoor runs, fences, and related buildings/structures shall be located no less than 200 feet from any property line.

(h)

Home office, residential business, rural business, subject to provisions of this ordinance.

(i)

In-home children's day care subject to a special use permit and all provisions identified within this ordinance.

(j)

Landscaping nurseries (wholesale), green houses (wholesale), provided structures shall be located no less than 50 feet from the side and rear property lines and 100 feet from the front property line.

(k)

Municipal, county, state, federal and other government uses.

(l)

Sale of agricultural products raised on the premises; agricultural farm stands.

(3)

Lot size, area, and setback requirements: *

*Unless otherwise specified; also subject to approval by state environmental health.

(a)

Minimum lot size: Five acres.

(b)

Minimum public road frontage: 30 feet.

(c)

Minimum lot width at building line: 125 feet.

(d)

Minimum front yard setback: 50 feet.

(e)

Minimum side yard setback: 20 feet; 25 feet if corner lot.

(f)

Minimum rear yard setback: 30 feet.

(g)

Maximum building height: 45 feet.

(4)

Off-street parking: See article VII of this ordinance.

(5)

Required buffers: See article VI, sec. E. of this ordinance.

(6)

Sign regulations: See article XII of this ordinance.