ZONING

Note: Sagamore Hills is protected by the Sagamore Hills Infill Overlay. Details are on file at the DeKalb County Zoning Board Permitting Office

 

DeKalb County Code Enforcement Policies and Procedures
Quality of Life Complaints

What are “Quality of Life Complaints”?
“Quality of Life Complaints” are about non-adherence by property owners and occupants to standards for maintaining residential property in accordance with the DeKalb County property maintenance ordinance. For a summary of these standards, contact Code Enforcement at 770-724-7940.

Who can make a complaint?

Anyone can make a complaint

• In their own name (You will be asked for your name, but are not required to give it)
• Anonymously
• In the name of a Homeowners Association, without identifying themselves

How to complain

• Call the DeKalb County Code Enforcement Office at 770-724-7940. Give the address of the possible code violation and a description.
• (770) 724-7963 fax (Complaint Form)
• 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker, GA 30084
• Email: codeenforce@co.dekalb.ga.us

After reporting an infraction, below are the suggested procedures to follow-up on the complaint:

• When initially reporting infractions request an officer to provide an update after the inspection.
• Contact the office via telephone, email, fax or mail to request an update after a complaint has been reported.
  Note: It may take several weeks before the code enforcement office handles the complaint.

What a Code Enforcement Officer does:

• Inspects property as a result of a complaint
  Will often perform a street survey of the entire street or neighborhood as a result
• If violation is found, a warning citation is issued for a first offense
• Code enforcement officer will re-inspect property after two to three weeks of warning citation
• If violation has not been corrected upon re-inspection, a court summons is issued
• If re-inspection shows compliance with the code, the case is closed. If within a year, a second complaint is made about the same violation, and violation is found again, a court summons is issued
• Judge can fine up to $1,000 for an offense
  Below is a summary of the more common code violations:
  All litter, trash and debris thrown from vehicles are prohibited.
  Grass and weeds must be maintained below 12 inches in height.
• Outside storage is prohibited. This includes such items as tires, appliances, auto parts, old furniture, trash, junk vehicles, and dead trees. All stored items must be kept in an area enclosed on all sides by walls and a roof.
• Storage buildings may only be located in the rear yard and a building permit is required before the unit may be put on the premises.
• Fences may only be 4 feet high in the front yard or 8 feet high in the side or rear yard.
• Signs may not be erected in the right of way, nor may they be placed on utility poles.
• Junk vehicles (any vehicle which is inoperable or does not bear current tags) may not be parking in residential zones.
• Parking of vehicles on unpaved, untreated surface (for example, on the grass) is prohibited. Commercial vehicles are restricted in residential zones. Business vehicles such as passenger cars or pick-ups must be parked in a carport or to the side or rear of the house. Other commercials vehicles (e.g. semi tractors, panel vans, school buses, cargo vans) may not be kept in a residential zone.
• Boats and trailers may only be parked to the side or rear of one's house, or within a carport or garage.