Tift County approves zoning text amendment to allow indoor shooting ranges with safety, noise and hour limits

The Tift County Commission voted to approve a text amendment to the county’s Unified Land Development Code that adds indoor shooting ranges as a permissible use in Wholesale Light Industrial and Wholesale Industrial zoning districts, with conditions intended to limit impacts on neighboring properties.

Planner (speaker S5) introduced the proposal, listed as TCTA 26‑01, and outlined the supplemental standards: property‑line shielding and directionality to avoid impacts on adjacent parcels; construction and operation conforming with applicable federal and state rules and standards; noise limits aligned with the Tift County code of ordinances; and daily hours of operation restricted to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Commissioners questioned how technical issues such as ventilation, lead capture and allowable calibers would be enforced. A commissioner (S6) asked how ventilation and smoke are managed, and the planner (S5) and other staff and commissioners (S3, S4) said those topics are addressed by overlapping technical rules, including standards referenced by the ATF and the International Building Code, and by local fire and building inspectors once a facility applies for necessary permits. "It's addressed within the guidelines from the ATF," the planner said, noting the regulatory overlap with building and fire codes.

On operational safeguards, S6 asked whether licensed range officers are required on site. The planner said he could not be 100% certain in every instance but believed licensed or trained range officers are commonly required; Commissioner Redwood (S2), who said he owns an outdoor range, said his facility requires licensed range officers as a condition of liability insurance. The commission also discussed limits on ammunition and firearms tied to a facility’s lead‑capture and ventilation systems; staff noted that most indoor ranges focus on handgun calibers because larger calibers and higher‑velocity rounds can exceed capture system design limits.

The public hearing drew no public speakers and the commission approved the amendment by voice vote after the hearing was closed. The amendment was accompanied in the record by a Planning Commission recommendation to approve (heard Jan. 8), according to staff.

Next steps: the amendment will be effective as adopted by the commission; any future applicants seeking to operate an indoor range will still be required to meet the technical, building and safety inspections and any licensing or insurance conditions applicable to such facilities.