105 local rules on file · Pop. 13,089 · Gwinnett County
Showing ordinances that apply to Mountain Park, GA
Mountain Park is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 13,089 in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Because Mountain Park is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Gwinnett County ordinances apply directly to residential and commercial properties here. The rules below are the county-level regulations that govern your area. Nearby incorporated cities in Gwinnett County may have different rules.
Amplified music audible at property line after 11 PM prohibited in unincorporated Gwinnett. Outdoor events require special event permit from county.
Industrial and commercial noise in unincorporated Gwinnett subject to UDO zoning standards and Chapter 74 noise limits. GAEPD regulates industrial facilities with air/water permits.
No specific leaf blower ban in Gwinnett County. Leaf blowers subject to general construction hours (7 AM-9 PM weekdays, 8 AM-9 PM weekends).
Level 1/Level 2 EV chargers allowed as accessory use at single-family homes; permit required from Gwinnett Planning & Development for 240V installs. No local mandate for new-construction EV-readiness.
UDO §230-20.5 prohibits parking commercial vehicles over 12,500 lbs GVWR, tractor-trailers, dump trucks, or vehicles with 2+ axles in residential zones. Service vans <12,500 lbs allowed in driveway.
Driveways must be paved (concrete/asphalt/pavers) within 20 ft of right-of-way per UDO §230-5.2. One curb cut per lot unless corner lot. Max 30% front-yard coverage.
Gwinnett County Code §74 prohibits parking on unpaved shoulders, within 15 ft of fire hydrants, and in marked no-parking zones. Residential street parking generally allowed with 72-hour limit before vehicle is deemed abandoned.
Abandoned vehicles regulated under GA Code §40-11-1+ (10 days on public property). Code Enforcement addresses inoperable vehicles in unincorporated areas. Complaints via GwinnettZIP.com.
No countywide overnight residential parking ban in unincorporated Gwinnett. County parks close at dusk (overnight parking prohibited). HOAs frequently restrict street parking overnight.
UDO §230-20.4 restricts RVs, boats, and trailers in residential zones to side/rear yard, behind the front building line. Max one RV per lot. Cannot be occupied as dwelling. HOAs often ban entirely.
Exotic pets regulated under GA Code §27-5-4. Wild animals (big cats, primates, venomous reptiles, alligators) require Georgia DNR license or are prohibited. Gwinnett follows state list; no additional county ban.
Gwinnett County has NO breed-specific legislation. GA Code §4-8-30 preempts counties and municipalities from enacting breed-specific ordinances. Dangerous dog classification is based on behavior only.
Georgia DNR prohibits feeding of deer (GA Code §27-3-9) and bears statewide. Gwinnett County discourages wildlife feeding that creates nuisances. Bird feeders generally permitted but should not attract rodents or bears.
Backyard chickens allowed primarily in agricultural zones (RA-200) under Gwinnett UDO. Most standard residential zones (R-100, R-75) do not permit livestock. Roosters discouraged near neighbors due to noise.
Beekeeping permitted in Gwinnett County, primarily in agricultural (RA-200) and larger residential zones. GA Department of Agriculture registration required. Hive setback and density limits apply in residential areas per UDO.
Gwinnett County Code of Ordinances Title 10 requires dogs to be on a leash or under physical restraint when off the owner's property. Gwinnett Animal Welfare & Enforcement Center handles impoundment.
Hot tubs and spas in unincorporated Gwinnett require electrical permits and must meet NEC Article 680 bonding/GFCI standards. A locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 exempts a spa from the 48-inch barrier requirement under IRC Appendix G.
Gwinnett County Planning & Development requires building, electrical, and plumbing permits for most residential pools. Submittals include site plan showing setbacks, barrier details, and pool construction drawings. Multiple inspections required through final.
Unincorporated Gwinnett requires a minimum 48-inch barrier around residential pools per the Georgia Residential Code (IRC Appendix G). Self-closing, self-latching gates opening away from the pool are mandatory. Pool deeper than 24 inches triggers the requirement.
Private residential pools in unincorporated Gwinnett must meet GA Residential Code safety standards including barriers, drain covers (Virginia Graeme Baker Act), and electrical bonding. Public and semi-public pools are regulated by GA DPH under Rules 511-3-5.
Above-ground pools in unincorporated Gwinnett require a building permit and must meet the same 48-inch barrier standard as in-ground pools when water exceeds 24 inches deep. The pool wall itself may count as part of the barrier if at least 48 inches tall with restricted ladder access.
No defensible-space law in Gwinnett. County nuisance code (Chapter 30) requires grass/weeds <12 inches and removal of dead/hazardous trees near structures or right-of-way. No WUI zone designation.
Gwinnett is one of 54 GA counties under the GAEPD summer burn ban May 1-Sept 30 each year. Yard debris burning prohibited during that window. Outside the ban, burn permits required from GA Forestry Commission.
Unincorporated Gwinnett County enforces Georgia O.C.G.A. § 25-2-40 (smoke alarms required in every dwelling, apartment, hotel, motel, and dormitory) plus the 2018 International Fire Code and 2018 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, applied through Chapter 42 of the Gwinnett Code by the Fire Marshal's Office.
Gwinnett County is not in a designated wildfire hazard zone. Metro Atlanta suburban terrain with minimal WUI risk. No CAL FIRE-equivalent maps or special building requirements.
Recreational fire pits under 3 ft diameter with seasoned wood or manufactured fuel allowed year-round. Pits must be >25 ft from structures; only clean wood. No permit needed for small recreational fires.
Consumer fireworks legal in unincorporated Gwinnett under GA Code §25-10-1+. Discharge hours limited to 10 AM-9 PM daily per HB 110 (extended to 11:59 PM on July 3-4, Dec 31, Jan 1). Cities cannot ban outright.
Property owners in Gwinnett may trim neighbor tree branches that cross property lines under Georgia common law, limited to the boundary. Removal of healthy trees may trigger Gwinnett tree protection ordinance permit requirements.
Gwinnett County encourages native Piedmont plants through UDO landscape standards and the University of Georgia Extension. No prohibition on native meadow-style landscaping, though 12-inch grass/weed height rule still applies.
Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources follows Georgia EPD outdoor water rules: odd/even address schedule and daily outdoor irrigation restricted to 4 PM-10 AM year-round per Georgia Water Stewardship Act.
Gwinnett County has no specific artificial turf prohibition. Installation generally permitted on residential lots subject to drainage, stormwater, and HOA rules. Impervious surface coverage limits may apply under UDO.
Gwinnett County tree protection ordinance (UDO Title 4) requires tree preservation, replacement, and buffer zones. Removal of specimen trees and work in buffers requires county approval. Applies to development and redevelopment activity.
Gwinnett County Code limits grass and weeds to 12 inches maximum on occupied residential lots. Overgrown lots cited as nuisance; county can abate and place lien for cost recovery.
Rainwater harvesting legal in Gwinnett County under Georgia Amendment to International Plumbing Code. Rain barrels and cisterns for outdoor irrigation allowed; non-potable indoor uses require plumbing permit and backflow prevention.
Gwinnett County nuisance ordinance treats weeds and grass over 12 inches as a public nuisance. Code Enforcement notices, abatement, and liens used for non-compliance. Applies to occupied residences and vacant lots alike.
Home occupations in unincorporated Gwinnett must not generate traffic, parking demand, or deliveries exceeding normal residential levels. Excessive client visits can trigger zoning enforcement action.
Gwinnett UDO generally prohibits exterior signage for home occupations in unincorporated residential zones. The home-based business must produce no exterior evidence of its operation, meaning no business signs, window displays, or advertising visible from the street.
Georgia Cottage Food License issued by GA Department of Agriculture allows sale of approved low-risk home-baked goods, jams, candies, and similar items. Gwinnett County home occupation rules apply; state license is the primary authority.
Georgia DECAL (Department of Early Care and Learning) licenses home-based childcare. Family Child Care Learning Homes (3-6 children) and Group Child Care Learning Homes (7-12) are regulated at the state level, with state preemption of many local restrictions.
Unincorporated Gwinnett County permits customary home occupations under UDO § 230-130.3.Q, but only by family members residing in the home, with no exterior business evidence or signage, no group assembly, no on-site sales, and no increase in traffic or parking, plus a required Occupation Tax Certificate.
Unincorporated Gwinnett allows home occupations as accessory use in residential zones (RA-200, R-100, R-TH, RM) subject to UDO standards. Must be clearly secondary to residential use, conducted by residents only, with no outside employees working on-site and no exterior evidence of business activity.
Unincorporated Gwinnett allows accessory dwelling units in limited zones, typically as accessory apartments within or attached to a primary dwelling, or detached units in specific districts like RA-200. Georgia has no statewide ADU mandate, so local UDO rules control.
Tiny homes on permanent foundations in unincorporated Gwinnett must meet the Georgia Residential Code minimum dwelling standards, zoning minimum dwelling size (if any), and setback rules. Tiny homes on wheels (RVs/THOWs) are not legal as permanent dwellings.
Carports in unincorporated Gwinnett require a building permit and must meet accessory structure setbacks. Typically must be set back behind the front building line in residential zones, with side/rear setbacks matching zone standards (5-10 ft in R-100).
Converting a garage into living space in unincorporated Gwinnett requires building permits covering structural, electrical, plumbing (if added), mechanical (HVAC), and energy code compliance. Replacement off-street parking must be maintained per UDO minimums.
Unincorporated Gwinnett typically exempts sheds under 120 square feet from building permits, though zoning setbacks still apply. Larger sheds require building permits. Common accessory structure setbacks: 5-10 feet from side/rear property lines depending on zone.
Retaining walls over 4 ft tall (footing to top) require a building permit and engineered drawings. Terraced/tiered walls >4 ft aggregate height also require engineering. Must not alter stormwater flow onto neighbors.
Fences over 6 ft tall or any retaining wall over 4 ft require a building permit from Gwinnett Planning & Development. Fences under 6 ft exempt but must still meet UDO height/location rules.
No forced cost-sharing in GA. Boundary fences voluntary. GA Code §44-9-1 partition fence rule applies mainly to agricultural land. Fences must be on or inside your property line.
Pools >24 in deep require 48-in (4 ft) barrier per IRC Appendix G, adopted via GA Amendments. Self-closing, self-latching gates opening outward. Permit required from Gwinnett Planning & Development.
Barbed wire, razor wire, and electric fences banned in residential zones. Permitted only in agricultural (RA-200) or industrial zoning. No plywood, sheet metal, or similar as permanent fencing.
Gwinnett UDO §230-20.1: front-yard fences max 4 ft; side/rear yard max 8 ft. Corner-lot sight-triangle rules apply. No barbed wire or electric fences in residential zones.
Gwinnett County levies 8% hotel-motel excise tax on STR stays under 30 days. Plus GA state sales tax 4% and Gwinnett local sales tax 2%. Total ~14% tax.
Gwinnett STR ordinance requires off-street parking for all guest vehicles. Typically 1 space per bedroom. Street parking by STR guests often restricted in subdivisions.
Gwinnett County's recently adopted unincorporated-area short-term rental ordinance focuses on annual licensing, third-party safety inspections to IPMC standards, and a 24/7 local agent rule, but does not impose a fixed annual night cap or maximum-rented-days limit on hosted or unhosted STRs.
Gwinnett STR occupancy typically capped at 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional, or per building code — whichever is less. Maximum often 10-12 occupants.
Gwinnett STR operators must carry $1 million liability insurance or use platform coverage (Airbnb AirCover, VRBO Liability). Proof required at registration.
Gwinnett STR ordinance incorporates county noise rules with emphasis on quiet hours 11 PM-7 AM. Three substantiated noise complaints can trigger permit revocation.
Gwinnett County adopted STR ordinance requiring registration for short-term rentals (under 30 days) in unincorporated areas. Annual permit, inspections, and operator contact required.
No snow/ice sidewalk clearing ordinance in Gwinnett County. Metro Atlanta rarely has sustained snow. Property owners not required to clear sidewalks after snow events.
Gwinnett County Solid Waste Management: residential trash service mandatory in unincorporated areas. Bins must be stored out of public view except 24 hours around pickup day.
Gwinnett County allows garage/yard sales without permit. Typical limit: 2-3 sales per year per household, each 1-3 days. Signs on public right-of-way prohibited.
Gwinnett County Code Chapter 38 (Minimum Housing Standards) addresses blighted properties. Code enforcement can cite for overgrowth, debris, abandoned vehicles, and structural decay.
Gwinnett County requires vacant lots to be maintained — grass/weeds under 12 inches, no trash accumulation. Owner responsible regardless of residency.
Gwinnett County UDO designates specimen trees (typically 27"+ DBH hardwoods; lower thresholds for pines and specific species) as protected. Removal on development sites requires approval and enhanced replacement ratios.
No permit required for individual homeowner tree removal on an owner-occupied single-family lot in unincorporated Gwinnett in most cases. Permits required for development/redevelopment, specimen tree removal, and work in stream or wetland buffers.
Gwinnett UDO requires tree density replacement on development sites measured in tree save units or caliper inches. Minimum densities vary by zoning district; specimen tree removal triggers enhanced replacement ratios.
Gwinnett County Soil Erosion, Sedimentation & Pollution Control Ordinance enforces GA §12-7 (E&S Act). Land Disturbance Permit required for sites disturbing 5,000+ sq ft; 25-ft undisturbed state waters buffer (50-ft on trout streams).
Not applicable. Gwinnett County is inland in north-central Georgia; no coastal zone jurisdiction. Georgia's Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (§12-5-280+) applies only to the six coastal counties.
Gwinnett County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (UDO Title 2) regulates Chattahoochee River corridor and FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas. Elevation certificates required; lowest floor at or above BFE+3 ft (county freeboard).
Gwinnett UDO Development Regulations require grading permits for significant earthwork. Drainage design must follow the Gwinnett County Stormwater Management Manual; post-development runoff cannot exceed pre-development 25-year peak.
Gwinnett County is an MS4 Phase I permittee under GA EPD NPDES. Stormwater Management Ordinance prohibits illicit discharges, requires post-construction BMPs, and funds services via stormwater utility fee on tax bill.
Gwinnett UDO typically limits residential structure height to 35-40 feet in R-100 and similar zones. RA-200 follows similar residential height limits. Accessory structures generally capped at 15-20 feet or below primary dwelling height.
Unincorporated Gwinnett limits impervious/building lot coverage by zoning district. R-100 typically caps total impervious coverage around 35-45%; RA-200 much lower given rural character. Accessory structures count toward the total.
Gwinnett UDO sets standard yard setbacks by zoning district. RA-200: 50 ft front, 25 ft side, 50 ft rear. R-100: 40 ft front, 10-15 ft side, 40 ft rear. Accessory structures have reduced setbacks typically 5-10 ft from side/rear.
Political signs on private residential property with owner consent are protected under First Amendment and Reed v. Gilbert (2015). Gwinnett cannot impose size/duration limits stricter than other temporary signs. Signs in public ROW prohibited.
Gwinnett County UDO Sign Ordinance allows temporary garage sale signs on private property with owner permission. Signs in public right-of-way are prohibited and removed by county crews. Must be removed within 24 hours after sale ends.
Holiday/seasonal displays on private property are generally exempt from Gwinnett's sign ordinance. Displays must not create traffic hazards, block sight distance at corners, or include prohibited illumination (flashing lights facing roadway).
Food trucks in Gwinnett County require Environmental Health mobile food service permit from Gwinnett County Health Dept plus county occupation tax certificate (business license). Base of operation (commissary) required.
Food trucks in unincorporated Gwinnett may only operate on private property with owner's written permission and in commercial/industrial zones. Public right-of-way vending generally prohibited outside of permitted special events.
Gwinnett County does not set specific hours for garage sales but the county noise ordinance (Chapter 14) applies — no unreasonable noise before 7 AM or after 11 PM. Most sales run dawn-to-dusk by common practice.
No permit required for occasional garage sales in unincorporated Gwinnett County provided frequency limits (4/year, 3 days each) are observed. Some incorporated cities within the county do require free permits.
Gwinnett County limits residential garage/yard sales to no more than 4 per year per household in unincorporated areas, with each sale not to exceed 3 consecutive days. Rule prevents unlicensed retail operations.
Rent control PROHIBITED in Gwinnett County under O.C.G.A. §44-7-19. Georgia preempts all local rent control. Landlords may raise rent any amount with proper notice.
Georgia has NO just-cause eviction law. Gwinnett County does not impose just-cause eviction. Landlords may terminate month-to-month tenancies with 60 days' notice per O.C.G.A. §44-7-7.
Gwinnett County does not have a long-term rental property registration requirement for unincorporated areas. Business license required only for commercial property managers.
Gwinnett County has no unincorporated-area juvenile curfew ordinance, but many cities within the county do (e.g., Lawrenceville, Snellville, Duluth). State truancy and parental-responsibility laws apply countywide.
Gwinnett County parks close at dark (typically sunset) unless posted otherwise. Gwinnett County Code of Ordinances Chapter 74 (Parks) prohibits entry after closing; posted signs at each park state hours.
Gwinnett County recognizes 'No Soliciting' signs posted at residence entrances. Solicitors who ignore posted signs commit criminal trespass under GA §16-7-21 after being told to leave. Do-Not-Knock registries operated by some cities.
Commercial door-to-door solicitors in unincorporated Gwinnett County must obtain a solicitation permit and carry ID. Permits require background check and identify the company/product. Religious, political, and charitable activity exempt (but still must leave when asked).
Unincorporated Gwinnett provides once-weekly residential trash collection and once-weekly recycling collection via franchised haulers. Yard waste collection offered separately, often weekly or biweekly depending on hauler.
Bulk item pickup (furniture, mattresses, appliances) is provided by your franchised hauler on call — typically up to 4 items per quarter included, additional items fee-based. Gwinnett operates a citizen drop-off center for large items, e-waste, HHW.
Gwinnett County does NOT mandate residential recycling, but franchised haulers include curbside recycling as part of standard service. Accepted materials: paper, cardboard, #1/#2 plastics, aluminum, steel cans, glass (varies by hauler).
In unincorporated Gwinnett, residents use franchised haulers assigned by zone (Republic Services, Waste Industries, etc.). Carts may be placed at curb no earlier than 6 PM day before pickup and must be removed by 6 AM day after.
Recreational cannabis illegal in Georgia. Only low-THC oil (up to 5% THC) allowed for registered patients under GA §16-12-191. Gwinnett County has no recreational dispensaries; limited licensed producers operate statewide under GA Access to Medical Cannabis Commission.
Home cultivation of cannabis is ILLEGAL in Georgia. Even registered low-THC oil patients cannot grow their own plants. Cultivation charged as felony manufacture under GA §16-13-30(j).
Recreational drones must follow FAA rules: register drones over 0.55 lb, pass TRUST test, stay under 400 ft AGL, keep visual line of sight. Much of Gwinnett is within Atlanta Class B airspace requiring LAANC authorization.
Commercial drone operations in Gwinnett require FAA Part 107 certification. County prohibits drone takeoff/landing in county parks without permit (GA §27-3-18 applies at state level). Atlanta Class B airspace covers much of western Gwinnett — LAANC authorization required.
Gwinnett UDO §230-20.3 caps light spillover at property lines: 0.5 footcandle at residential boundaries, 1.0 footcandle at commercial. Nuisance lighting subject to Code Enforcement action.
Gwinnett has no comprehensive dark-sky ordinance. UDO §230-20.3 requires non-residential lighting to be full-cutoff and shielded. Residential has no specific cutoff requirement but must not cause light trespass.
Georgia has NO state solar access law protecting homeowners from HOA solar restrictions. Unlike California, Florida, or Texas, Georgia HOAs in Gwinnett can restrict or prohibit rooftop solar panels through private covenants.
Rooftop and ground-mount solar PV installations in unincorporated Gwinnett require building and electrical permits from Planning & Development. Structural review of roof load capacity, NEC 690/705 compliance, and utility interconnection agreement with Georgia Power or local EMC are all required.