Micro-Breweries, Wineries Now Welcome In Sandy Springs

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Sandy Springs has officially opened the doors for micro-breweries, micro-distilleries and farm wineries to move into the city.

The City Council at its June 21 meeting approved text amendments to its zoning ordinance to allow for the changes.

The amendments, the city notes, address the differences between industrial manufacturing of alcoholic beverages and smaller scale breweries, wineries and distilleries.

The new rules limit micro-facilities by size, under 20,000 square feet, and aligns city code with state regulations. The approved amendments create classifications based on scale of the facility.

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Under the new code, manufacturing breweries/distilleries/wineries are permitted with an approved use permit in any district that presently permits manufacturing. That facility will be able to provide guided tours of the facility, during which a free tasting of malt beverages, distilled spirits or wine may be conducted by the manufacturer, provided tours and tastings are in accordance with state law and Department of Revenue rules and regulations.

But the biggest, most impactful change is in the area of smaller scale micro-producers which for the first time, as long as they are under 20,000 square feet, will be able to locate in zoning districts permitting commercial uses (C-1, C-2 and MIX). These facilities will be able to provide guided tours and offer free tastings in accordance with state law and Department of Revenue rules and regulations.

The text amendments language defines the facilities as such:

• Brewery/distillery/winery: An industrial facility where malt beverages, wine, or distilled spirits are produced (in spaces in excess of the micro-producer limits) on the premises and then sold or distributed for off premises consumption in compliance with state law and Department of Revenue licensing requirements.
• Brewpub: An eating establishment, as defined in Section 6.1 of the code of ordinances of the city, in which malt beverages are manufactured or brewed, subject to the barrel production limitation prescribed in O.C.G.A. 3-5-36.
• Micro-producers: Micro-breweries, micro-wineries, and micro-distilleries, the facilities for which are limited to 20,000 square feet with all activities associated with the micro-producing facility being wholly contained within the maximum allowable 20,000 square feet.

“These changes open the door in Sandy Springs to small businesses that can lift other businesses in the area,” said Sandy Springs Councilman Gabriel Sterling, who had been working to bring these amendments forward. “All over the U.S., where you have these micro producers, you see positive growth in the local economy and provide a new, fun destination. People want hands on, artisanal products. Sandy Springs wants to be open to these artisans. It’s not about big breweries, it’s about places like Creature Comforts Brewery in Athens and Old Fourth Ward Distillery in Atlanta.”

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