§ 2.1. Generally.

§ 2.1.1. Purpose of article 2.This Article describes the process through which a zoning change may be approved on a property, the approval process for construction of land development projects, the procedures for amendments to the text of this Development Code, and the process for appeals from an administrative decision, for a special exception or for hardships.

§ 2.1.2. Overview—Land development.The following presents a summary of the plans and procedures involved in the land development approval and construction.

§ 2.2. Zoning changes.

§ 2.2.1. Initiation.

§ 2.2.2. Sketch plan.

§ 2.2.3. Process for zoning changes.Before the Governing Body may take final action on a proposed zoning change, the Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing on the proposal.

§ 2.2.5. Withdrawal.Any applicant wishing to withdraw a proposed zoning change prior to final action by the Governing Body shall file a written request for withdrawal with the Director of Planning.

§ 2.2.6. Developments of regional impact.

§ 2.2.7. Effect.

§ 2.3. Land development project approval.

§ 2.3.5. Evidence of project approval.Each site plan shall carry the following certificates printed or stamped on the plat.

§ 2.4. Development plans.

§ 2.4.1. General requirements.

§ 2.4.2. Erosion and sediment control plan.

§ 2.4.3. Grading plan.

§ 2.4.4. Buffer plan.A buffer plan shall be prepared for any structural buffer required in accordance with the specifications and standards contained in Article 6 of this Development Code. Plans shall not be required for natural buffers, which are to be shown on the grading plan. The buffer plan shall show:

§ 2.5. Development permit.

§ 2.5.1. Responsibility.

§ 2.5.2. Development activities authorized.A development permit shall be issued to authorize all activities associated with development activity regulated by this Code, including, but not limited to, clearing and grubbing, grading and the construction of such improvements as streets, surface parking areas and drives, storm water drainage facilities, sidewalks, or other structures permanently placed on or in the property except for buildings, signs, or other structures requiring the issuance of a building permit.

§ 2.5.3. Process for approval of development permit.An application for a development permit may proceed simultaneously with an application for site plan, but may not be issued prior to project approval of such plan by the Building Inspection Department.

§ 2.5.4. Required performance surety.

§ 2.5.5. Issuance of development permit.

§ 2.5.6. Expiration of development permit.

§ 2.6. Flood area permit.

§ 2.6.1. Permit required.If development or construction is proposed within or affecting an area of special flood hazard, approval of a flood area permit application shall be required. An application for a flood area permit may be included with and reviewed as part of a development permit application.

§ 2.6.2. Application process for a flood area permit.

§ 2.7. Driveway approval.

§ 2.8. Building permitting.

§ 2.8.2. Procedures to obtain a building permit.A building permit issued by the chief building official is required in advance of the initiation of construction, erection, moving or alteration of any building or structure unless such construction, erection, moving or alteration is exempted from permitting requirements by the building codes that have been adopted and are enforced by the City of Rome and Floyd County. No building permit shall be issued and no building shall be erected on any lot in the city or county unless access has been established in accordance with this Development Code. No building permits shall be issued before approval of the final plat. All structures shall comply with the requirements of this Development Code, whether or not a building permit is required.

§ 2.9. Building construction.

§ 2.9.3. Construction in flood area.Construction of a building for which a flood area permit was issued shall be governed by the following:

§ 2.10. Text amendments.

§ 2.10.1. Initiation.A Governing Body or the Planning Commission may initiate a proposed change to the text of The Rome-Floyd County Development Code by a majority vote of those voting.

§ 2.10.2. Text amendment process.Before the Governing Body may take final action on a proposed text amendment, the Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing on the proposal.

§ 2.10.3. Standards for text amendments.The Planning Commission and each Governing Body shall consider the following standards in considering any proposal that would result in a change to the text of this Development Code, giving due weight or priority to those factors that are appropriate to the circumstances of each proposal:

§ 2.11. Appeals.

§ 2.11.1. Types of appeals.Persons may appeal to the Board of Adjustments for relief under the following circumstances:

§ 2.12. Temporary suspension of permitting.