Gainesville Georgia Office of City Marshal

The City Marshal serves as the legal enforcement arm for the City of Gainesville to ensure that all ordinances passed by the City Council are implemented. Our mission is to enforce the ordinances of the City of Gainesville fairly and equitably through administrative, licensing, inspection, collection and regulatory procedures.

Each citizen has a right and is encouraged to report code violations. Reports may be made by telephone or in person to any member of the office of City Marshal, Gainesville/Hall Code Enforcement Division, or the Police Department.

Once a report of a code violation is made, in most cases, a member of the Marshal's office will notify the responsible person(s) of the violation and educate them on how to gain compliance. If voluntary compliance is not achieved in a specified time period, the responsible person(s) is issued a citation and ordered to appear before an administrative hearing officer or the judge of the Municipal Court. Once a citation or summons is issued, the judicial officer makes all final decisions.

This brochure contains some brief descriptions of codes that generate the majority of all issues handled by the Marshal's Office. The code of ordinances of Gainesville Georgia is available to all citizens through the Clerk of the City Council.

HELPFUL NUMBERS

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THESE ORDINANCES?

The following are brief descriptions of ordinances that generate the most questions about the code. Questions about the code should be directed to the Marshal's Office or the City Clerk.

Sound Devices (6-9-3)
It is unlawful to operate sound amplifying devices or equipment unless a permit has been granted by the Chief of Police.

Noise Disturbances (3-8-1)
It is unlawful for any person to make or create or cause to be continued any loud, unnecessary, or unusual sound or noise, which unreasonably annoys or is detrimental to others.

Junk Vehicles (3-5-11)
It is unlawful to keep, leave, or store any junk, and salvage equipment, machinery, parts, including inoperable motor vehicles out-of-doors upon any public or private land within the city.

Business/Occupation Tax (6-2-1)
A business/occupation tax certificate is required for all locations where a person is engaged in any business, trade, or occupation. The tax certificate must be conspicuously displayed on the premises. Call the City Marshal's Office for assistance.

Overgrown Vegetation (3-5-12)
No owner of land within the city may permit any obnoxious or disagreeable weeds, untrimmed grass, or unhealthy growths as determined by the City Marshal.

Littering (4-3-9)
It is unlawful to litter, throw, deposit, scatter or otherwise cause to be placed or left upon any public or private land, street or sidewalk any paper, waste, rubbish, trimmings, limbs, garbage, cartons, feathers, gravel or earth

Private Dumpsters (4-3-12)
It is unlawful for any person to throw, deposit, or otherwise leave trash or garbage in dumpsters that are leased and paid for private use, except by permission of the owner.

Smoking Regulations (3-7-1 to 3-7-11)
Except as otherwise specifically authorized by city code section 3-7-6 Smoking shall be prohibited in all enclosed public places inside the city. Including but not limited to: common work areas, classrooms, conference and meeting rooms, employee lounges, private offices, elevators, restaurants, and all other enclosed facilities.

Fires (3-6-14)
No open burning is allowed on any premises without permission and without a permit issued by the Fire Department. No open burning is allowed between May 1st and September 1st of each year.

Signs (9-4-2)
No sign may be painted upon or attached to a tree, utility pole, rock or other natural feature and no part of a sign shall be located in, over or project into a public right-of-way except for awning signs, canopy signs, or projecting signs in the Central Business District.

Street Solicitation (3-4-13)
No person may stand on any street or highway, including the right-of-way, within the city for the purpose of soliciting employment, business, or contributions from the occupants of any vehicle.

Poultry & Animal Yards (4-3-32)
It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to erect or maintain any poultry or animal yard within 300 feet of any residence except the residence of the owner, or within 300 feet of any public building. Unless such yard is maintained in accordance with the provisions set forth by the building inspections department.

Solicitors and Canvassers (6-12-1)
It is unlawful for any person to engage in business as a canvasser or solicitor, calling at residences without the previous consent of the occupant for the purpose of soliciting orders, sale subscriptions, or business of any kind, or for seeking information or donations without first having registered with the City Marshal, submitting required information, consenting to criminal background check and paying a regulatory fee.