--- title: Duluth UDC § 503.02 — Duluth jurisdiction: duluth governing_jurisdiction: Duluth source_url: "https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf" effective_date: "2026-07-13" as_of: "2026-08-13" canonical: "https://www.gwindex.net/code/duluth/503.02" licence: "CC0-1.0" --- # Duluth UDC § 503.02 General Standards **Governing jurisdiction: Duluth.** A "Duluth, GA" mailing address is usually NOT in the City of Duluth. Unincorporated Gwinnett is 67.3% of the county's land area and is governed by a different code, a different board and a different permit portal. Resolve the governing jurisdiction before answering any zoning question. - **Article:** 5 — Subdivisions and Planned Developments - **Pages in source:** 150–152 - **Adopted:** 2025-09-08 - **Amended through:** 2026-07-13 - **Source:** https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf ## Text a. Density Determination. The maximum number of lots in the conservation subdivision shall be determined by yield plan or calculation, at the developer’s option. The yield plan or calculation shall be prepared by a Georgia registered engineer or landscape architect. 1. Yield Plan. A yield plan that shows the maximum number of lots a tract can support based on the property’s underlying zoning and development standards of this Development Code is required. 149 | P a g e Article Five. Subdivisions and Planned Developments The plan does not have to meet all of the formal requirements for a site design plan, but the design must be capable of being constructed given the site features and all applicable regulations. All standard zoning or development regulations must be met (including lot sizes, right-of-way widths, etc.). At a minimum, the plan must account for and depict standard rights- of-ways, lot information (sizes, widths, and setbacks), drainage and detention areas, easements, floodplain, lakes, wetlands, streams, and stream buffers. 2. Calculation. The maximum number of lots is determined by dividing the area of the tract of land by the minimum lot size specified in the underlying zoning district. In making this calculation, the following shall not be included in the total area of the parcel: i. Slopes over 25% of at least 5,000 square feet contiguous area; ii. The 100-year floodplain; iii. Bodies of open water over 5,000 square feet contiguous area; iv. Wetlands that meet the definition of the Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to the Clean Water Act; and, v. Anticipated right-of-way needs for roads and utilities. b. Minimum Conservation Area. 1. A minimum of 40% of a tract’s gross land area must be set aside and protected as a conservation area as defined herein. 2. At least 75% of the conservation area shall be in a contiguous tract. The conservation area should adjoin any other protected area, and non-protected natural areas that would be candidates for inclusion as part of a future conservation area. 3. See also Section 503.04. c. Development Requirements. Conservation subdivisions shall meet the following requirements: 1. Minimum Subdivision Size. Each tract proposed to be developed as a conservation subdivision must be a minimum of 10 contiguous acres. The tract of land to be subdivided may be held in single and separate ownership or in multiple ownership. If held in multiple ownership, however, the site shall be developed according to a single plan with common authority and common responsibility. 2. Lot Area. No minimum is established, except that no portion of the lot area may be located within the 100-year floodplain elevation. 3. Average Lot Width. The average width of all building lots, as defined by this Development Code, shall be at least 60 feet. Exception: Lots that abut properties not located within the conservation subdivision shall meet the standard width requirement of the underlying district; or, open space at least 50 feet wide shall be provided. 4. Minimum Road Frontage per Lot. The minimum required road frontage per lot shall be 40 feet. Exception: Road frontage may be reduced to 20 feet for lots with frontage upon cul-de-sac or “eyebrow cul-de-sac” turnarounds. 5. Minimum Yard Areas (Setbacks). i. The minimum required front yard shall be 20 feet. Exception: The front yard setback may be reduced to 5 feet if dwellings are provided side or rear entry garages. To qualify for the reduced setback on a corner lot, side entry garages must be located to the side adjacent to an abutting lot. ii. The minimum required rear yard shall be 20 feet. iii. The minimum required side yard shall be 5 feet. 6. Exterior Project Street Frontage Landscape Buffer. A landscape buffer that is a minimum of 50 feet in width (not part of any building lot) shall be provided along the tract and any external roadways. Landscape entry features such as fences and walls may be allowed in the portion of the landscape buffer that is provided along any external roadways. 150 | P a g e Article Five. Subdivisions and Planned Developments 7. Maximum Building Height. The maximum building height shall be 35 feet. 8. Sodded Yards. All yards of dwelling lots shall be sodded. 9. Garages. Dwellings shall have a minimum of two-car garages. 10. Street Trees. A minimum of one non-ornamental shade tree with a minimum 3.5-inch caliper shall be provided prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for each lot along all roadways. 11. Underground Utilities. All utilities shall be located underground.