FAQs

• Can I have chickens?
  • Yes, but it is limited as outlined in the Ordinance.
  • Roosters are not allowed
  • Turkeys are not allowed
• Do I need a Building Permit for landscaping work, gardens, sheds?
  • New or modified sheds do require a Building Permit
  • Landscaping and Gardening does not require a Permit unless it involves the erection of new structures, swimming pools, etc.

Building and Permitting

• What Building Codes have been adopted by the City of Lookout Mountain, GA?

  The International Codes Council 2018 version of the IBC, IRC, and all associated Codes

• Are there other Covenants or requirements that must be followed in addition to the City's Building Codes? (RE: Fort Trace, Turnberry, Kirkgate, etc.)

  Yes.  Separate Covenants apply in the neighborhoods listed above, in addition to the adopted Zoning Ordinances for the City of Lookout Mountain Georgia, as well as the IBC Building Codes

• Can I have a separate living quarters within a single family residence, with its own kitchen? For instance, in a basement, or on a second floor?

  No. A separate kitchen is not allowed. Separate Bathrooms and Bedrooms are allowed.

• Can I have a separate structure on the same site with a bathroom and kitchen?

  No.  Neither is allowed

• Can I have a “workshop” for the production of products on my property or within my home?
  • Production of items for sale is not allowed
  • You may have a workshop for private, non-commercial use
• Can I have other livestock?
  • Common pets are allowed, but livestock such as cows, pigs, etc. are not allowed.
  • A limited number of horses are allowed on properties greater than five acres.
• Can I operate a business from my home?

  You may have a home office, but only under limited conditions as described above.

• Can I produce, package or sell products out of my home, garage or separate structure on my property?

  No, a space for a Home Office is allowed under certain conditions, such as a space where a person can make phone calls or work on a computer, but additional employees are not allowed, no signage is allowed, and it cannot be used to meet with clients or customers.

• Can I use my home for the purpose of part-time rentals like “AirBNB” or “VRBO”?
  • No.  These, or similar types of short term rentals are not allowed.
  • “House Sharing” is only allowed under certain circumstances as outlined in the “House Sharing” Ordinance. An application must be approved by the MPC prior to Home Sharing.
• Can I use my property to board animals for other people?

  No

• Is a building permit needed for repairs or maintenance?
  • A Permit is not required for repairs and maintenance to an existing structure.
  • Addition of new windows, dormers, decks, etc. may require a Building Permit if they change the appearance or function of the existing structure.
• Is a building permit required for a new deck, gazebo, fence, or swimming pool?

  Yes. 

• Is a hookup to the Sewer System required for a new home?
  • Yes, in cases where the property is within 100 feet of the existing City Sewer system
  • No, if greater than 100’ from the existing City Sewer system
• What is the procedure for obtaining a Building Permit- For an addition to an existing house?
  • Submit two paper copies of plans and apply in person for a Building Permit.
  • A Site Plan should be included showing the location of the existing structure and the new addition relative to the existing property lines to assure the proper setbacks are being maintained.
  • The Building Official will visit the site and review the plans.
  • A Permit will be issued if the proposed construction meets the Building Code and the Zoning Codes.
  • Normally, a Permit can be approved without needing review by the Municipal Planning Commission.  However, if they need to make approval due to circumstances outside the authority of the Building Official, he will present the project to the MPC on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 5:00 PM for their approval.
  • If they deny approval, the property owner can request review by the Variance Board, which meets on an as-needed basis.
  • If they grant approval, a Permit will be given; if they do not, the owner may appeal to the City Council, whose decision is final.
• What types of projects DO NOT require a Building Permit?
  • Repairs or maintenance of existing structures, roofs, siding
  • Interior remodeling where structural changes are not being made
  • Replacement of existing HVAC units and ductwork
  • Installation of ceiling fans, lights, appliances
  • Replacement of existing plumbing fixtures
• What types of projects require a Building Permit?
  • New construction, additions, swimming pools, out-buildings, fences
  • Replacement or major changes to Electrical Meters, panel boards
  • Interior remodeling ONLY where structural changes occur

Community

• Where is City Hall located?

  City Hall has been temporarily relocated to The Lookout Mountain United Methodist Church at 1300 Lula Lake Road.

Police

• How do I report a police matter?

  In the event of an emergency, please call 911. The Lookout Mountain Police Department’s non-emergency number is 706-820-1051. In the event our officers are on patrol and out of the office, the line will roll over to Walker County’s non-emergency number.  Residents are also welcome to come to the Police Department to make a report. Please note our temporary location is at The Lookout Mountain Methodist Church, 1300 Lula Lake Road.

Property Tax

• How can I pay my property taxes?

  Property taxes may be paid by mail, phone, or in person. If you have questions or need a copy of a tax bill, please call City Hall or email our City Clerk at cityclerk@lookoutmtnga.com. 

Resident

• Where do I obtain a burn permit?

  The City does not issue burn permits. Open burns are not allowed in the City limits, but you may have a covered fire pit.

Residents

• Do I need to notify the Police if I am leaving town?

  Yes. The Lookout Mountain Police Department has a house check form that may be filled out and submitted at City Hall. This will heighten our policemen’s awareness of your absence, as well as inform them of anyone that has access to the property. Additional patrols will be conducted during the dates listed on the form. You may print the form by clicking the link below, or pick one up at City Hall.

  House Check Form

• How do I report issues with a neighbor?

  Who do I call if my neighbor's tree falls on my fence? 
  It is a civil matter.  If you and your neighbor can't come to terms, call your attorney.

  My neighbor has an object blocking/partially blocking the roadway.
  That is a traffic problem.  If you have asked your neighbor to move the object and he/she has not done so, call the Lookout Mountain Police Department at 706-820-1051.

  My neighbor's grass is so high that it is causing rodents.
  This is an ordinance violation, enforced by our police department. Please call 706-820-1051.

   

• Is there somewhere I can dispose of large items?

  There is a dumpster available at The Town of Lookout Mountain Public Works, on the Tennessee side, the 1st Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. If the dumpster fills early, access to it may end before 3:00 p.m. Call The Town of Lookout Mountain Public Works for more information at (423) 821-2417. No hazardous waste, chain link fence, or mattresses are allowed.

   

  Additionally, resident’s waste may be taken to the Walker County Landfill, Monday thru Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for a small fee. Please be advised, they will not offload your waste for you. For more information, you may visit their website by clicking the here.

  Walker County Landfill :

  5120 N Marble Top Road

  Chickamauga, GA 30707

  706-375-8910

   

• My trash can is broken. How do I request a new one?

  If your trash can is broken, please call City Hall or e-mail cityclerk@lookoutmtnga.com. You will then be placed on the list for a replacement can. Please make sure the old can has no trash in it and is placed at the curb.

• When is City Hall open?

  City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

• When is trash pick up?

  Pick up is on Tuesday and Friday of each week. Please leave your trash out by the curb in the green bin provided by The City. Please ensure the arrow on the trash can is pointing towards the street. If trash day falls on a holiday, pick up will be the following business day.

• Where can I recycle?

  You have several options depending upon the material:

  Cardboard, Newspapers, Mixed Papers, Plastics, and Cans: The Town of Lookout Mountain Public Works, on the Tennessee side, between 6:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. weekdays or at The Walker County Landfill, Monday thru Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  Used Motor Oils: O'Reilly Auto Parts, 3140 Cummings Hwy: 423-821-9058

  Used Tires: Walker County Landfill on their "Retire Your Tires" Amnesty Day. Please check the Walker County Landfill's website here for this year's scheduled date.

  Used Paints: Walker County Landfill will accept latex and oil paints, but residents must abide by the following procedure to ensure it is accepted.

  1. Remove the lid
  2. Mix cat litter into the paint
  3. Allow the paint to completely dry

   

   

   

   

• Who do I call about a dead animal or wildlife removal?

  Please call the Lookout Mountain Police Department at 706-820-1051.

• Will the City pick up my leaves and brush?

  All yard waste consisting of limbs and branches having a diameter not greater than four (4) inches and a length not greater than four (4) feet shall be picked up by the Public Works Department. The waste hauler shall not be obligated to collect a branches or limbs having a diameter greater than four (4) inches or a length greater than four (4) feet. All yard waste consisting of grass cuttings and leaves shall be placed on the road edge, in a clear place. Please do not obstruct fire hydrants, stop signs, or culverts. Any yard waste not meeting these guideline will not be removed. The Public Works Department removes leaves with a vacuum and therefore asks that you keep them separate from brush. 

  NOT INCLUDED

  Building materials resulting from construction, remodeling, repair or demolition operations, dead animals, hazardous waste or stable matter.

Search Tips and Tricks

• Do the search results include the contents of PDFs and other documents?

  Yes.  The website indexes web pages as well as PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, and text documents.

• If I search for a phrase (e.g. alarm permit), will the results only show exact matches?

  No.  By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase.  In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.

  In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations.  The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.

• Can I exclude a word from a search (e.g. all pages that have the word "alarm" but not the word "permit"?

  Yes.   You can exclude words by using the minus sign (-).   In order to find the results of all pages that have alarm in the result but not permit, you would search for alarm -permit.

Utilities

• How can I pay my city provided utilities?

  Bank Draft/ACH (Please click link for form)
  Credit/debit card and e-check via Xpress Bill Payment
  Paper check, cash or money order (Walk-in, Mail, or Dropbox) 

  Want to go paperless? Customers may sign up for paperless billing, autopay, reminders, and view account history by clicking on the Xpress Bill Pay link above. A first-time user guide is available here.