Gwinnett County Quality of Life

Several people at the meeting last night were concerned about code violations in the subdivision such as poorly maintained yards, parking in yards, piles of yard debris left out in the open and other minor offenses.  The group discussed how to engage the Gwinnett County Quality of Life Division to assist in policing the subdivision.  Here’s how it works:

• All of our neighborhood covenants are superseded by county ordinances which can be found by clicking here: code_enforcement_explanation.
• Gwinnett County has a division of enforcement officers whose primary duty is to enforce County Ordinances such as Property Maintenance Ordinances.
• The first step in their process is to notify the homeowner of a potential violation and give a warning.
• The homeowner then has two weeks or so to address the violation by fixing the problem.
• If the homeowner does not address/fix the violation or problem, then as a second step the County will issue a citation for the violation with a minimum $250 fine.

The best way to file a complain is to file it online so that it can be distributed electronically to an enforcement officer.  Complaints can be anonymous. You can find the link to file a complaint under the important links section located in the sidebar of this website.  You can also find it here.  The HOA does not have the resources to properly police the subdivision so we need your help as a Homeowner to take the proper action to address violations and use the Quality of Life division that has been established to assist with Property Maintenance ordinances.  Here are the ones we struggle with in our neighborhood from time to time.

Grass, Weeds, and Uncultivated Vegetation (14-303) – Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from grass, weeds, or uncultivated vegetation in excess of twelve inches in height. The only exceptions are: 1) any parcel zoned RA-200 (Agriculture-Residence District) that is greater than one acre in size or 2) any parcel within a single-family residential zoning classification that is greater than 3 acres in size. Property owners abutting a right-of way shall not allow yard trimmings to accumulate on a public street or sidewalk. The unpaved areas of front yards shall be maintained with grass, ground cover or other type of landscaping to such an extent that the soil is not subject
to erosion.

Off Street Parking (Yard Parking) (ZR1001.5) – In any residential district, the parking of any motor vehicle except on a hard-surfaced driveway or in a carport or garage is prohibited.  Any recreational vehicle or any non-motor
vehicle may only be parked in a carport, enclosed structure, or in the rear yard on a paved surface (or approved porous or grassed paving system). Any vehicles parked in the rear yard not in a carport or an enclosed structure must be parked at least fifteen (15) feet from the property line. Vehicles or equipment used for agricultural purposes on RA-
200 or R-100 zoned property with 5 or more acres are exempt from hard surface parking requirements if parked outside the required front yard setback. The maximum allowable paved parking or hard surface area in front yards shall not exceed more than 35% in most zonings.

Open or Outdoor Storage (14-306) – The open or outdoor storage of appliances, building material or debris,equipment, garbage, glass, material, merchandise, rubbish, trash or similar items shall not be permitted, maintained or stored on any premises. Exceptions include: Cut wood which is neatly stacked in lengths not to exceed 3 feet for the
personal use of the owner or occupant and which is stored in a side or rear yard; Rubbish, garbage, trash or othersimilar items placed outside for collection by an authorized waste hauler not more than 24 hours prior to the designated collection date for that property.

Business Vehicle Parking (ZR1007) – In all residential zoning districts the parking of the following commercial vehicles are prohibited: Limousines, flat bed trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks, transport wreckers, tandem axle trucks, cab-on-chassis trucks, tractor trailers, wheeled attachments or trailers, buses, earthmoving machinery, semi-trailers,
and any vehicle over 20 feet long, 7 feet high, or 7 feet wide. Vehicles or equipment used for agricultural purposes on RA-200 or R-100 zoned property with 5 acres or more are permitted if parked outside the required front yard setback. In all residential zoning districts, the parking of the following commercial vehicles is permitted: 1) An automobile, pickup truck, van or SUV used to provide daily transportation to and from work, 2) A commercial vehicle that is parked temporarily in conjunction with a commercial service, sale, or delivery, and 3) School buses used for the primary purpose of transporting children to and from state licensed or accredited elementary, middle, or high schools, provided
such vehicle is parked off any public thoroughfare, on a hard-surfaced area, and in the side or rear yard.

Graffiti (14-302) – It shall be a violation of this Article for any person having a legal or equitable interest in a parcel of real property to permit graffiti to remain on a structure located thereon for a continuous period of more than 72 hours. For purposes of this section, the term “graffiti” shall have the same meaning as set forth in O.C.G.A. § 17-15A-2.

Junk Vehicles (14-304) – Junk vehicles shall not be kept, permitted, parked, stored or maintained on any premises or public right-of-way. A Junk Vehicle is defined as any vehicle, automobile, truck, van, trailer of any kind or type, or contrivance or part thereof which is wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, stripped, partially stripped, inoperative, abandoned, discarded, or kept parked, stored or maintained on any premises or public right-of-way without a current license plate and/or decal displayed on the vehicle. Junk vehicles, which are kept within a fully enclosed building on
property in residential zoning districts provided the owner or occupant of the property is in the process of reconditioning the junk vehicle for personal use, are allowed. Junk Vehicles may be kept on property zoned for repairing, reconditioning, or remodeling provided that the junk vehicle are not stored for the purpose for salvage of
parts, but are in continual process of repair, reconditioning, or remodeling.

Trees (14-307) – Dead trees shall not be allowed to exist or to be maintained on any premises which are hazardous to persons on adjacent property or to adjacent property. A finding by a registered forester or certified arborist shall constitute prima-facie evidence that a tree is in danger of falling upon adjacent lots or public streets due to the death of
the tree. Tree Stumps greater than 12 inches in height above ground level shall not be permitted or maintained on any premises for more than fourteen days after the tree has been cut. Tree debris Felled trees, slash, or removed tree limbs shall not be permitted or maintained on the ground on any premises for more fourteen days. Cut wood which
is neatly stacked in lengths not to exceed three (3) feet and which is stored in a side or rear yard is exempt. Propertiesthat are 1) covered by a valid land-disturbing permit or 2) zoned RA-200 (Residence-Agriculture) are exempt from tree stumps and tree debris. Composting activities, which comply with state law, are exempt from tree debris.

Exterior Walls (14-323) – Exterior walls of buildings shall be maintained free from holes, breaks, loose or rotting materials; and shall be maintained weatherproof and properly surface coated as needed to prevent deterioration.