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Atlanta, GA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Recycling threshold
At least 50% of wash/rinse water
Applies to
New conveyor car washes only
Trigger date
Permitted or built after Jan. 1, 2011
Exempt
Self-service and in-bay automatic washes
Citation
Atlanta City Code § 109.03

Summary

Atlanta requires new conveyor car washes built after January 1, 2011 to install a water recycling system that reuses at least 50% of wash and rinse water, cutting demand on city water supply.

Conveyor car washes permitted and constructed after January 1, 2011 which utilize City of Atlanta water shall install, utilize, and maintain a water recycling system which recycles and reuses at least fifty (50) percent of wash and rinse water. Failure to install, utilize, or maintain the water recycling system shall be a violation of this code.

(Ord. No. 2010-71(10-O-1972), § 4, 12-15-10)

3.That Section 922 entitled Minimum Plumbing Facilities, be deleted in its entirety and substitute the following in lieu thereof: 922 MINIMUM PLUMBING FACILITIES

Source: Georgia EPD Watershed ProtectionView official code

Full Breakdown

Under the City of Atlanta Car Wash Water Recycling Ordinance, any conveyor car wash permitted or constructed after January 1, 2011 that uses City of Atlanta water must install, operate, and maintain a water recycling system capturing and reusing at least 50 percent of its wash and rinse water. The rule targets tunnel-style conveyor washes only: self-service car washes and in-bay automatic car washes are exempt, as are conveyor washes permitted or built before January 1, 2011. Failure to install, use, or maintain the required system is a code violation, enforced through the city's building permit and inspection process.

Violations & Fines

Operating a new conveyor car wash without installing, using, or maintaining the required 50% water recycling system is a violation of the Atlanta City Code, enforceable like other building-code violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this apply to my neighborhood self-service car wash?
No. Section 109.01(c) exempts self-service car washes and in-bay automatic car washes: the recycling mandate covers only conveyor (tunnel-style) car washes.
What if my conveyor car wash was built before 2011?
It's exempt. The ordinance only applies to conveyor car washes permitted or constructed after January 1, 2011; existing facilities aren't required to retrofit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Atlanta

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All Atlanta rules

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