What Suwanee Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Suwanee, Georgia may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 105 tracked ordinances across 25 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Commercial vehicles over 1 ton or with commercial lettering prohibited from overnight parking in Suwanee residential zones per UDC. One service vehicle allowed if used by resident for employment, parked in driveway..

Also covered: Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Suwanee for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Time Restrictions: Garage sales allowed daytime hours only — typically 7:00 AM to sunset. Must comply with Suwanee noise ordinance (no amplified sound) and sign rules (no off-premise signs).

Also covered: Frequency Limits (moderate), Garage Sale Permits (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Suwanee for details.

Fence Regulations

Material Restrictions: Suwanee UDC prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing in all residential zones. Chain link restricted to side/rear yards.

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate), Pool Barriers (strict), Retaining Walls (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Suwanee for details.

Accessory Structures

Tiny Homes: Tiny homes on foundations must meet full GA IRC requirements (including Appendix Q for homes under 400 sq ft). Tiny homes on wheels classified as RVs and cannot be used as permanent dwellings in Suwanee residential zones..

Also covered: Shed Rules (moderate), ADU Rules (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Suwanee for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: No signage, advertising, or display visible from outside the dwelling is permitted for home occupations in Suwanee residential zones..

Also covered: Home Daycare (moderate), Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Suwanee for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Suwanee is within GA EPD's 54-county metro Atlanta summer burn ban area. Open burning of yard debris banned May 1–Sept 30 annually under GAEPD Rule 391-3-1-.02(5).

Also covered: Wildfire Zones (permissive), Smoke Detectors (moderate), Brush Clearance (permissive). See the full fire regulations guide for Suwanee for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Recreational cannabis illegal in Georgia. Low-THC oil dispensing is limited to licensees of the GA Access to Medical Cannabis Commission (Georgia's Hope Act, 2019).

Also covered: Home Cultivation (strict). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Suwanee for details.

Solar Energy

HOA Restrictions: Georgia has NO state solar access law preempting HOAs. Homeowners associations in Suwanee may restrict or prohibit solar panels on homes within covenant-controlled communities..

Also covered: Panel Permits (moderate). See the full solar energy guide for Suwanee for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bulk Item Disposal: Gwinnett County franchise hauler provides scheduled bulk pickup for Suwanee residents — typically 2 bulk items per pickup with advance notice. Construction debris, tires, and hazardous waste NOT accepted in regular pickup..

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Recycling Requirements (permissive), Bin Placement Rules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Suwanee for details.

Property Maintenance

Trash Bin Storage: Trash and recycling bins must be stored out of public view (behind fence, in garage, or side of house screened from street) except on collection day. Bins may be set out after 6 PM the night before and must be removed by midnight of collection day..

Also covered: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive), Property Blight (moderate), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Suwanee for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Suwanee has a strong tree preservation ordinance. Removal of specimen/protected trees requires permit from Planning & Development, with replacement/fee-in-lieu requirements..

Also covered: Weed Ordinances (moderate), Grass Height Limits (moderate), Tree Trimming (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Suwanee for details.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: Exotic and wild animals prohibited under GA §27-5-4. Class 1 wild animals (big cats, primates, venomous reptiles, bears) require state license rarely issued to private owners..

Also covered: Beekeeping (moderate), Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Wildlife Feeding (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Suwanee for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Safety Rules: Residential pool safety governed by GA IRC Appendix G: barriers, gates, door alarms, power safety covers. Anti-entrapment drain covers required (VGB Act compliance).

Also covered: Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Fencing Requirements (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Suwanee for details.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: Amplified music audible beyond property lines after 10 PM is prohibited. Outdoor events at Town Center Park and commercial venues require a sound permit from the city..

Also covered: Industrial Noise (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (permissive). See the full noise ordinances guide for Suwanee for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Suwanee enforces FEMA flood zones per Code of Ordinances Chapter 38 (Flood Damage Prevention). City participates in NFIP.

Also covered: Coastal Development (permissive), Erosion Control (strict), Stormwater Management (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Suwanee for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Lot Coverage Limits: Suwanee UDC sets maximum lot coverage (building footprint) by zoning district. R-100 typically allows ~35% coverage; denser districts (RM, MXD) allow higher.

Also covered: Setback Rules (moderate), Structure Height Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Suwanee for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Noise Rules: STRs must comply with Suwanee's residential quiet hours (11 PM - 7 AM weekdays, 12 AM - 7 AM weekends). Two substantiated noise complaints within 12 months can result in STR permit revocation..

Also covered: Parking Rules (moderate), Registration Rules (permissive), Night Caps (permissive). See the full short-term rentals guide for Suwanee for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drone operators must hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Suwanee has no separate commercial drone license, but O.C.G.A.

Also covered: Recreational Drones (permissive). See the full drone rules guide for Suwanee for details.

Sign Regulations

Holiday Displays: Residential holiday displays (lights, inflatables, decorations) are not regulated by the Suwanee sign ordinance if they contain no commercial message. Must not block sight distance at driveways/intersections.

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive), Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Suwanee for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Suwanee Code §42-71 sets juvenile curfew: persons under 17 prohibited in public places 11:00 PM–6:00 AM Sun–Thu and 12:00 AM–6:00 AM Fri–Sat. Exceptions for adult-accompanied minors, work, school, and emergencies..

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Suwanee for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Replacement Requirements: Tree replacement required when protected trees are removed. Commonly measured in caliper inches at 1:1 or higher ratio, or paid into the city tree fund..

Also covered: Tree Removal Permits (strict), Heritage & Protected Trees (strict). See the full tree protection guide for Suwanee for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: Suwanee does not operate a general residential rental registration or inspection program. Long-term rental landlords are not required to register with the city..

Also covered: Rent Control (permissive), Just Cause Eviction (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Suwanee for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: Suwanee UDC prohibits light trespass onto adjacent properties. Light intensity at residential property lines limited to 0.1–0.5 foot-candles (varies by zone).

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Suwanee for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Food trucks in Suwanee must hold a Gwinnett County Environmental Health mobile food permit plus a Suwanee occupational tax certificate. Operations in Town Center Park require separate event-vendor approval (Food Truck Fridays)..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Suwanee for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Commercial door-to-door solicitors in Suwanee must register with the Police Department and obtain a Solicitor's Permit before canvassing. Background check required.

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Suwanee for details.

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in Suwanee. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.