Rockdale county imposes 90‑day moratorium on certain residential care facilities to address safety and zoning concerns

The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 9 adopted a 90‑day moratorium on the acceptance, processing and approval of applications for certain residential care facilities.

County staff told the board the moratorium responds to a recent increase in unpermitted residential care and congregate living operations — including group homes, sober living residences and transitional homes — some of which had not been registered locally despite state licensing. Planning and code enforcement staff said county rules and definitions have not kept pace with changing facility models and that the pause will allow staff to update definitions, tighten permitting and improve coordination with the sheriff and fire rescue.

Public safety rationale: Fire and rescue personnel described life‑safety risks tied to conversions of single‑family homes into congregate facilities — examples included multiple hospital beds in small structures, obstructed exit ways and the absence of sprinkler systems that would be required in institutional settings. Fire staff said county dispatch systems will be updated to flag facilities once permitted so crews know when non‑ambulatory residents are present.

Enforcement and licensing: Staff emphasized that state licensing and county permitting are separate; some facilities have state certification but lack county registration or the necessary zoning. The moratorium will provide time to produce a county licensing/registration process, inventory existing county‑licensed facilities, and set clearer eligibility and zoning standards. The planning commission public hearing schedule remains available for public input during the pause.

Outcome: Commissioners voted to approve the 90‑day moratorium and directed staff to prepare updated definitions, a registration process and an inventory of county‑licensed facilities for judges and other stakeholders.