Chattahoochee County adopts ordinance to regulate public cemeteries

The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County adopted Ordinance No. 2025-1 on Oct. 7, 2025, establishing rules to govern the Cusseta–Chattahoochee Harmony Public Cemetery.

The ordinance, which amends Chapter 20 by adding Article III, designates the County Manager as superintendent of cemeteries and requires that records of ownership and interments be kept at the county office. It sets procedures for the sale and transfer of lots, requires a burial permit in accordance with Georgia law, and limits interments to human remains. The text requires temporary markers to be replaced with permanent markers within 12 months and allows the county to regulate monument size and placement for safety and uniformity.

The measure spells out maintenance responsibilities and enforcement: the county will maintain common areas while individual lot upkeep remains the lot owner’s responsibility; violations may result in fines up to $500 per offense and civil enforcement. The ordinance also cross-references Article II (Public Conduct in Parks) for conduct-related enforcement and includes a severability clause.

The record attached to the minutes shows the ordinance underwent a first reading on Aug. 25, 2025, a second reading on Sept. 2, 2025, and a public hearing on Sept. 22, 2025, before the board recorded its adoption. The minutes include the full ordinance language and the commission’s signatures documenting adoption.

Officials said the ordinance is intended to protect public health and preserve the dignity of the county cemetery while clarifying administrative responsibilities and enforcement tools. No votes against the ordinance were recorded in the Oct. 7 minutes; the action was recorded as a unanimous approval by the commissioners present.

The county manager or county clerk can provide the ordinance text and guidance on implementation and any required forms for lot transfers and interment permits.