---
title: O.C.G.A. § 36-86-3. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 36-86-3
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 36-86-3 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/36-86-3
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/36-86-3.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/36-86-3/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t36-ch60-92-(v27a)-2025-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=1fad51cc_0#page=594
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/36-86.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/36-86-2.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/36-86-4.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Session of the General Assembly of Georgia
heading_path: LOCAL GOVERNMENT / Provisions Applicable to Counties, Municipal Corporations, and Other Governmental Entities / LOCAL GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY
---

# O.C.G.A. § 36-86-3. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) “Local government unit” includes each county in the state, each municipality in the state, each consolidated government in the state, and each local authority in the state which operates any local government service delivery program but does not include local school systems.

(2) “Service” or “local government service” includes any and all services provided by a local government unit, including but not limited to the following:

(A) Law enforcement;

(B) Fire protection and fire safety;

(C) Road and street construction and maintenance;

(D) Public transportation;

(E) Water supply and distribution;

(F) Waste-water, sewage, and storm-water collection and disposal;

(G) Public housing;

(H) Public health services;

(I) Enforcement of building, housing, plumbing, and electrical codes and other similar codes;

(J) Parks and recreation systems;

(K) Planning and zoning;

(L) Solid waste management; and

(M) Electric or gas utility services.

## History

Code 1981, § 36-86-3, enacted by Ga. L. 1993, p. 1574, § 1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 467, § 1.

## Code Commission Notes

Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1993, “similar” was substituted for “similiar” in subparagraph (2)(I).