FAQ

All you have to do is answer the questions. Stay on the phone and answer the dispatcher's questions as calmly as you can. The dispatcher will ask you to:

• Describe the address of the problem
• If you do not know the address, be prepared to give directions or describe your location
• Describe the type of problem
• Describe the situation/what is happening

Yes; from October 1 through April 30. Individuals should call the Georgia Forestry Commission

Because firefighters can and do get there first, and time is critical in a medical emergency. Every Fairburn Fire fighter is cross-trained in Emergency Medical Services.

The Insurance Services Offices, Inc. (ISO) rates jurisdictions on factors related to fire coverage that include water supply, dispatch procedures, and fire resources. Our current rating for Fairburn is a 1.

The City of Fairburn is required to conduct bi-annual hydrant service. This allows the Fire Department to ensure that the hydrants are in proper working order. Additionally, flowing the hydrants allows any obstructions, sediment, etc. to be flushed from the hydrant line.

Fire hydrant service is done twice a year, the dates are published on the City website, newsletter, and signage is placed in the affected neighborhoods.

Fulton County government maintains the ambulance contract for the entire County, including the City of Fairburn. Currently, a private vendor, Grady EMS, staff ambulances in the Fulton County zone. Normally, the "closest" ambulance to the emergency is dispatched by Fulton County communications.

There is no charge for fire department response to citizens of Fairburn. The expense incurred is maintained by the City fire department budget.

Units are dispatched according to information received by Dispatch. Many times the type of situation found upon arrival is very different from the situation dispatched. And, part of responding to an emergency situation means being prepared to deal with the worst case scenario. Discovering that we need more units upon arrival is often too late. Experience has taught us that it's better to have too much help than not enough.

Automobile accidents present other hazards such as potential fire, ruptured fuel tanks, undeployed airbags and/or the presence of hazardous materials. If any occupants are trapped they will begin the extrication (removal) process. Since all of our firefighters are Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) or Paramedics, they can begin assessing an injured party's condition and assist in providing treatment prior to the arrival of ambulance personnel. Additionally, all fire apparatus carry extrication tools.

Emergency lights and siren are used only when responding to a call. Sometimes several units are dispatched to the same incident. When the first unit arrives on scene, they may assess the situation and inform the dispatcher they can handle the emergency. All other responding units are then cancelled and put back into service, ready to take another call.

State law, and common sense, dictates that vehicles yield to emergency vehicles that are operating their emergency lights and siren. Emergency vehicle drivers are taught to pass on the left whenever possible when responding in an emergency mode. When safe, slow down, pull over to the right, and stop. However, there are circumstances where that may not be possible (if your car is already stopped, and you don't have anywhere to pull over). Simply stay put until the emergency vehicle goes around you. If you are blocking the route of the emergency vehicle, and you are able to pull ahead and over into a clear area, use your turn signal to indicate your intentions, and proceed at a safe speed. Never slam on the brakes and stop in the middle of the road when you see apparatus approaching. Make no sudden moves. If an emergency vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction, you should pull over and stop. You have no idea if they are proceeding down the road, or are planning on turning into a driveway or intersection right in front of you. You are not required to slow down or pull over for emergency vehicles that are responding in the opposite direction on a divided highway. Do not tailgate, "draft", or follow a responding apparatus closely. Not only is this illegal, you run the risk of collision as vehicles pull back out into traffic after the emergency vehicle goes by.

Fairburn Fire Department participates in an automatic aid agreement with cities within Fulton County and surrounding agencies. When you call 9-1-1, your call and location is entered into a computer at Fulton County Dispatch Center.). The computer will take the information from your call and depending on the closest unit based on the pre-existing automatic aid agreement, the unit closest to your emergency regardless of agency will be dispatched to your emergency. It is not uncommon to see outside agency fire apparatus in Fairburn and vice versa.

You may complete your community service through any Georgia non-profit (501c3). This includes, but is not limited to: churches, Goodwill, animal rescues, Salvation Army, etc. Please communicate any issues or questions through the Court Services Office. In order for our office to accept the community service hours, you must turn in an official letter from the organization with your name and the hours you completed with them. The letter must be on official letterhead and you must turn it in to the Court Clerk's Office, with a time sheet, signed by representative of organization. It must include contact information and/or business card. Please do not contact Mr. Stokes if you are completing community service through a non-profit. Please note: this office does not accept 2-for-1 credit for community service hours.

Call the Planning and Zoning Department.  770-964-2244

Go to the Fulton County GIS website and type in your address.

Located in the Document section of Planning and Zoning.

Rezoning application

Single-family and residentially zoned properties are allowed to be used for short term rentals. This includes the following zoning districts: AG (Agricultural) , R-1 (Single-family Residential), R-2 (Single-family Residential), R-3 (Single-family Residential) and R-4 (Single-family Residential).

The complete ordinance can be found at the end of this guidebook, or you can find it online on Fairburn’s website: www.fairburn.com.

Your first step will be to meet with the Planning and Zoning Office to obtain a short term rental affidavit for your property. The next step will be to set up a site inspection with the Building Official and Fire Marshall. Finally, you will apply for your STR permit and occupational tax license.

The number of people who can rent your home, or occupancy, will be set by the Building Official. The occupancy rate shall be limited to two (2) adults per bedroom plus an additional three (3) adults for the short term rental property. The occupancy rate only applies to short term rentals. The bedroom(s) shall be inspected by Building Official prior to issuance of the issuance of the short term rental permit.

Each owner of a short term rental is required to designate a Local Contact Person (must be age 25 or older) who has access and authority to assume management of the property. The Local Contact Person is the primary liaison between the city officials, including code and law enforcement, and will be required to provide their contact information. Local Contact Persons are required to respond to violation notifications 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and within two (2) hour of being notified of a complaint.

No, owners may retain a managing agent, managing agency, operator or representative to serve as the Local Contact Person. However, the owner is ultimately responsible for compliance with all the requirements of the law governing short term rentals.

No problem. Notify the City of Fairburn Occupational Tax License Office in writing immediately upon a change in the contact information for the Local Contact Person.

No vehicles of any type shall be parked on the City right of way or along any roadways at any time. Vehicles shall be parked on designated hard surface areas including gravel, concrete and asphalt; no parking on the grass or dirt. Parking in enclosed garages is permitted. A breach of these parking requirements may result in a violation under the ordinance.

A notice from the STR owner must be mailed to the closest ten (10) surrounding property owners that are located on both sides, directly to the rear, and directly across the public right-of-way of the STR property to inform the property owners of the STR. This letter will include the name and contact information for the Local Contact Person and the 24 hour hotline that citizens can call to report a complaint. The hotline will document the complaint and contact the Local Contact Person to help resolve the concern. If the complaint is not resolved within two (2) hours of being notified the short term rental may be issued a violation.

Judicial penalties for violations cited by the City of Fairburn are outlined in detail in the STR Ordinance and include citations issued in any twelve month period: 1st violation = $250 fine; 2nd violation = $500 fine; 3rd violation = $1,000 fine and revocation of the business license for 24 months.

Residences found to be in non-compliance with the regulations will be issued a citation that is subject to a judicial penalty of $500 with the fine compounding daily for every day the property is marketed or rented after the citation.