DeKalb zoning laws allow nightclubs anywhere

DeKalb County, unlike jurisdictions such as Cobb County, does not define nightclubs in its zoning code nor attempt to isolate them from neighborhoods. To pour alcohol at an all-night dance venue with a deejay, one merely needs an alcohol license and a kitchen. Such an establishment can open anywhere a restaurant can, even abutting a neighborhood.

County commissioners are in charge of the zoning law, and Commissioner Jeff Rader, who spearheaded the effort to roll back bar hours, said he thinks nightclubs have exploited an "inadequate" code. "One of the big problems we have in DeKalb is that these things can pop up almost anywhere," he said, adding that he'd like to tighten the code after addressing pouring hours.

TT | AJC | 11/23/2007