Sign permit required.

Except where specifically excluded by other provisions of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to post, display, substantially change, alter, or erect a sign or advertising device in the town, without first having obtained a permit in the manner prescribed herein.

Land-Disturbing Activity, Permit Required. When required by the State of Georgia’s Erosion and Sedimentation Act of 1975, codified in O.C.G.A. § 12-7-1, et seq., a copy of any such permit required by the Erosion and Sedimentation Act of 1975 shall be presented to and filed with the Zoning Administrator prior to the commencement of such “Land-disturbing activity” as defined in or applicable to the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Tallulah Falls, Georgia.

All permits related to erosion and/or sedimentation shall be obtained from, and shall be enforced by, the State of Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division (“EPD”) or such other governmental and/or quasi-governmental entity having jurisdiction over same pursuant to the Erosion and Sedimentation Act of 1975, O.C.G.A. § 12-7-1, et seq.

Sec. 2004. – Building permit required.

No building, structure, or sign, except as specifically exempted by these regulations, shall be erected, moved, extended, enlarged, or structurally altered, nor shall any excavation or filling of any lot for the construction of any building or structure be commenced until the zoning administrative officer has issued a building permit for such work in conformity with the provisions of these regulations. Exception: The foregoing notwithstanding, no building permit shall be required for accessory buildings or structures two hundred (200) square feet or less that are not permanently affixed to another building or structure.

Applications for building permits shall be made in accordance with provisions of the Tallulah Falls building codes and shall be accompanied by plat plans in duplicate as may be required by the zoning administrative officer.

Building permits shall become invalid unless the work authorized by it shall have been commenced within twelve (12) months of its date of issue, or if the work authorized by it is suspended or abandoned for a period of twelve (12) months or more.

Sec. 2005. – Certificate of occupancy required.

A certificate of occupancy issued by the administrative officer is required in advance of occupancy or use of any lot or change or extension in the use of any lot; any building or structure hereafter erected; or any change in the use of an existing building or structure. No such certificate shall be issued unless the proposed use of a building or land conforms to the applicable provisions of these regulations. Business licenses shall not be issued until the business conforms to the regulations of the district in which it is located and a valid certificate of occupancy is issued.

Sec. 2006. – Penalties for violation.
Any person, firm or corporation violating, neglecting or refusing to comply with any of the provisions of these regulations shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than fifty ($50) dollars nor more than two hundred ($200) dollars for each offense, or as determined by the court of proper jurisdiction. Each day such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

Sec. 2007. – Remedies.

In case any building or structure is or is proposed to be erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, converted or maintained, or any building structure or land is or is proposed to be used in violation of any provision of these regulations, the administrative officer or any other appropriate authority may, in addition to other remedies, and after due notice to the owner of the violation, issue a citation for violation of these regulations requiring the presence of the violator in the court of proper jurisdiction; institute injunction, or other appropriate action or proceeding to prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, maintenance or use to correct or abate such violation or to prevent the occupancy of such building, structure or land. Where a violation of these regulations exists with respect to a structure or land, the administrative officer may, in addition to other remedies, require that utility service be withheld therefrom until such time as the structure or premises is no longer in violation of these regulations.