---
title: O.C.G.A. § 12-15-3. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 12-15-3
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 12-15-3 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-15-3
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-15-3.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-15-3/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t12-(v10)-2021-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=67595359_0#page=1214
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-15.md
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES / SEWAGE HOLDING TANKS AND COMMERCIAL WASTE / SEWAGE HOLDING TANKS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 12-15-3. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) ‘‘Construction period’’ means the period of time during which a valid construction permit is in effect for a construction site.

(2) ‘‘Construction site’’ means the property designated in a valid construction permit issued by the local government having jurisdiction of construction.

(3) ‘‘Department’’ means the Department of Natural Resources.

(4) ‘‘Sewage’’ means human excreta, all water carried wastes, and liquid waste, including gray water or similar waste by-products.

(5) ‘‘Sewage holding tank’’ means a portable receptacle used on a temporary basis for containing sewage from flush toilets not connected to a public sewer system or an approved on-site sewage management system.

(6) ‘‘Sewage holding tank system’’ means a closed system including the plumbing fixtures and connections to the sewage holding tanks.

(7) ‘‘Special event’’ means any activity attracting more than 50 persons which is sponsored, organized, promoted, managed, or financed by any person, group, partnership, organization, corporation, business, or government entity where individuals congregate to participate in or observe an activity in outdoor or portable enclosed or semienclosed structures for more than two consecutive hours.

## History

Code 1981, § 12-15-3, enacted by Ga. L. 1990, p. 861, § 1; Ga. L. 2004, p. 357, § 2; Ga. L. 2012, p. 775, § 12/HB 942.

## Code Commission Notes

Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1990, a comma was inserted following ‘‘business’’ in paragraph (7).