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Spalding County amends truck-route ordinance, adds permit fee language and exemptions
Summary
The board approved amendments to truck-route ordinance language and right-of-way travel permit fees to tie permitting to public works policies, add fee language, and allow exemptions for certain commercial construction, logging and development activities; commissioners characterized the permit as proof of origin/terminus ("peach pass" analogy).
The Spalding County Board of Commissioners approved first readings and accompanying fee policies on April 20 to revise the county's truck route ordinance and the right‑of‑way travel permit provisions.
The amendments tie truck‑route exemptions and permitting to policies established by the Director of Public Works and approved by the board, add fee language for permits and define eligible exemptions for activities such as commercial construction entrances, residential developments of four or more units, and pulpwood/logging operations requiring crossings of county ditches.
During discussion, a commissioner asked why the county would "sell anyone a permit" to traverse a no‑through‑truck route; Public Works staff explained the permit functions as proof that a truck's origin or terminus is inside the restricted area (comparable to a Peach Pass), so enforcement officers will not repeatedly stop vehicles that have legitimate reason to be there. Commissioners also discussed setting fees at levels intended to cover road wear and repair costs caused by permitted heavy uses. The measures passed by unanimous vote (5‑0).
The new language also removed a requirement for Georgia State Patrol approval and centralized permitting with Public Works and code enforcement for issuance and enforcement.
