FAQs • Columbia County, GA • CivicEngage

If my land is reclassified as permanently protected greenspace through a conservation easement, does this mean that I have to permit public access?: It is not necessary that all land considered to be greenspace have public access. Land in its natural state may have community value by protecting water quality, historic or archaeological resources, or wildlife habitat, even if it is not available for public use. In certain sections of the Euchee Creek Greenway Trail, Columbia County may seek easements for purposes of establishing the public trail, which will be narrow, specific route easements or outright purchases which the County will negotiate.

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311 - Planning

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1. Who decides on what should be acquired as greenspace or greenways?: The Columbia County Board of Commissioners established the Greenspace Advisory Board in 2001 to serve as a citizen advisory panel advising and promoting the adoption of policies which will have the effect of preserving at least 20 per cent of the land area of Columbia County as greenspace. It is comprised of seven citizens appointed by the Commissioners. As one of its functions, the board identifies and recommends parcels for greenspace acquisition by the County. These recommendations go to the Board of Commissioners, which makes the final determination for land purchases or policy initiatives (regulatory changes, for example).

2. Is Columbia County considering interconnectivity of bike and pedestrian facilities while planning greenways and trails?: Yes. The ARTS Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is being referenced and considered throughout the trail planning process in appropriate areas of the county. More information on the ARTS Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan can be found here. Overall, the ARTS Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan assists in the planning and programming of transportation projects to create an integrated bike and walk-friendly network in the region. It is a comprehensive plan that incorporates areas within Columbia County in addition to the metropolitan areas of Augusta-Richmond and Aiken Counties.

3. If my land is reclassified as permanently protected greenspace through a conservation easement, does this mean that I have to permit public access?: It is not necessary that all land considered to be greenspace have public access. Land in its natural state may have community value by protecting water quality, historic or archaeological resources, or wildlife habitat, even if it is not available for public use. In certain sections of the Euchee Creek Greenway Trail, Columbia County may seek easements for purposes of establishing the public trail, which will be narrow, specific route easements or outright purchases which the County will negotiate.

4. What are the benefits and downside of a conservation easement to the landowner?

The benefits of a conservation easement include:

The property remains in private ownership, allowing current owners to live on the land, manage it, leave it to their heirs, or sell it to someone else. Depending upon current tax code, a conservation easement can be utilized to lower the amount of estate taxes due from heirs.
The property owner is eligible for federal and state income tax reductions if the easement is permanent, meets conservation purposes, and is donated to a qualifying organization. Although there is no acreage requirement for a conservation easement, the IRS determines whether or not lands qualify as a charitable gift, thereby providing federal tax incentives to the property owner. The lands must be certified by the Georgia Department of Natural resources in order for the property owner to receive a state income tax credit. Please visit the Georgia Land Conservation Program's for the most current tax credit information.
Property taxes are often lowered. A property owner can ask the county tax assessor's office to re-asses the value of the land once a conservation easement is completed.

The most notable loss a property owner will endure is the lost potential for development. During the process of entering into a conservation easement, there will most likely be a variety of fees, including, but not limited to, accountant, appraisal, attorney, and surveyor fees. Also, easement holders have the right to request a stewardship fee be paid to them by the property owner to assist in monitoring the land and ensuring the restrictions placed by the easement are being followed.

5. What are greenways?: Greenways have the same natural qualities and characteristics as does greenspace. Greenways, however, have a linear character and typically serve as corridors along stream banks, rivers and other waterways.

6. What is greenspace?

The statue adopted during the 2000 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly defines greenspace as "permanently protected land and water, including agricultural and forestry land, that is in its undeveloped, natural state or that has been developed only to the extent consistent with, or is restored to be consistent with, one or more listed goals for natural resource protection or informal recreation"

The rules and regulations of the Georgia Greenspace Program denote nine specific goals for greenspace:

Scenic protection
Provision of passive recreation in the form of boating, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, running/jogging, biking, walking, skating, birding, riding horses, observing/photographing nature, picnicking, playing non-organized sports, or engaging in free play
Water quality protection for rivers, streams, and lakes
Flood protection
Wetland protection
Protection of areas with steep slopes, erodible soils, and stream banks thereby reducing erosion
Protection of riparian buffers (example: marshes) and other natural habitats and corridors
Archaeological and historic resources protection on land that is primarily undeveloped or in its natural state
Connection of existing or planned areas contributing to the outlined goals

7. Where can I find a copy of the zoning ordinance?: The Columbia County Code is available online at Municode Website. The most recent changes to the code may not be reflected in the online version. If you suspect the regulations have changed, be sure to contact the Planning Department for the most up to date version.

8. How can I verify the zoning and permitted uses on my property?: You can check your zoning using Maps Online, available on the county website. If you need an official zoning verification letter, you must fill out the request form in the Planning Department and staff will be happy to assist you. The list of permitted uses in each district can be found online at Municode Website.

9. Can I put a mobile home on my property?: Double wide mobile homes are permitted in the R-A (Residential Agricultural) district, in mobile home parks, and in the R-4 (Residential Recreation) district. Single wide mobile homes are permitted in R-A districts and conditionally permitted in R-4 districts provided the lot is at least 5 acres.

10. How long does a rezoning or variance process take?: A minimum of 6 weeks from the date of application to the final approval/disapproval by the Board of Commissioners. Please click to view the application deadline and meeting schedule (PDF)for year 2018.

11. Can I subdivide my land?: In most cases, yes. All of the resulting parcels must meet minimum lot size and frontage requirements for the applicable zoning district. Additional requirements for access may apply depending on the number of lots to be created. For individual subdivision plats resulting in up to 4 lots, contact Kevin Fort for information at 706-312-7196, For larger subdivisions, contact the Plan Review Department at 706-312-7270.

12. Can I have chickens on my property?: Yes, Columbia County allows non-commercial agricultural uses in all residential districts. However, your neighborhood may have covenants that prohibit or limit the number of chickens you can keep. In addition, if keeping chickens or roosters on your property leads to complaints from neighbors, Code Enforcement can require you to remove offending animals, clean up waste, etc.

13. What are my setbacks?: Setbacks are determined by your zoning district and the classification of the road your lot fronts on. In general, the setbacks for single family residential homes are as follows: R-A (Front 75'-125', Side 10', Rear 25') R-1 (Front 65'-115', Side 10', Rear 25'), R-2 (Front 55'-110', Side 10', Rear 10'), R-3 (Front 50'-105', Side 10' Rear 10'), R-4 (Front 55'-110', Side 10', Rear 10'). Planned districts such as PUD, PDD, and S-1 may have different setbacks. Please contact the Planning Department at 706-868-3400 to determine the road classification for your property to determine the front setback.

14. How can I verify the zoning and permitted uses on my property?: You can check your zoning using Maps Online. If you need an official zoning verification letter, you must fill out the request form. The listed use of permitted uses in each district can be found online at Municode Website