Environmental Health

Fulton County Board of Health now accepts online payments associated with Environmental Health.

Pay Now

Tourist Accommodations

Fulton County Board of Health - Hotel Motel Inspections

Tourist Accommodations (Hotel/Motel)

Tourist accommodations (hotel/motels) consist of two or more rooms, or dwelling units, connected or separated, on a common piece of property that provides lodging and other services to the general public. Environmental Health Specialists inspect facilities routinely to ensure they are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner and in accordance to the rules and regulations for operating that are set forth by the State of Georgia (Chapter 511-6-2). All tourist accommodations must have a permit and a current license from the Fulton County Board of Health to be open and operating in Fulton County.

Construction of a New Tourist Accommodation

Prior to beginning construction of a new tourist accommodation, the applicant must demonstrate compliance with the minimum requirements outlined in the Rule.  Therefore, please provide the following:

  • A minimum of two (2) sets of plans which include:
    • Floorplan for each floor, including:
      • Laundry area
      • Kitchen/food preparation and food storage area(s)
      • Supply storage areas
      • Mechanical areas
    • Mechanical and plumbing details
    • Materials to be used on floors, walls, and ceilings within guest rooms
  • Completed Tourist Accommodation Permit Application
  • Notarized Verification of Residency
  • Specification/cut sheets for all equipment, and other supporting documentation. 
  • Copy of applicable Operation Plans
  • Completed forms, plans and the appropriate fees can be mailed or delivered directly to the closest Fulton County Board of Health Environmental Health Services office.

Change of Ownership

Permits shall expire upon change of ownership, location, or change in type of operation. A “change of ownership” means the transfer of a 50% interest or greater in the tourist accommodation to a person or entity not holding a current interest.  Please provide the following:

Complaints

If you would like to report a complaint to our office regarding a recent experience at a tourist accommodation facility in Fulton County, please e-mail our general account:  FCBOH.EnvHealth@dph.ga.gov. 

Please include:

  • Your name
  • Your contact information
  • Name and address of the facility
  • Room number
  • The date(s) of your stay
  • Details regarding to the complaint
  • If you have photographs detailing the condition(s), please include these as well

Operation Plans – The following are some examples of Operation Plans that a tourist accommodation facility may implement as part of their business model:

  • Water Management Plan – This plan should assess the need of a Water Management Plan due to the proposed design of the facility. Routine monitoring along with preventative measures can help prevent a Legionella outbreak especially if the facility is constructed with features such as cooling towers, decorative fountains, and/or hot tubs which increase the potential for Legionella growth and transmission.  Please see the Legionella and Water Management Plans section below for additional information.
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan – The facility should propose their plan to not only address pest activity, but also how they plan to prevent pest activity. An IPM plan should address both short-term and long-term treatment programs that work together to prevent pest activity within the facility.
  • Gas-Fired Equipment – Any equipment that utilizes gas (natural gas, propane, etc.) and falls under the purview of the Tourist Accommodation Permit must be inspected at least annually by a qualified licensed contractor. Points to be inspected are proper construction and installation, malfunctions and adjustments of controls and burners, faulty heat exchangers, and vent obstructions.  Any defects found on inspection must be corrected by a qualified heating contractor prior to use of the equipment. This inspection should be documented on the Gas-Fired Equipment Inspection Form or similar document and made available to our office upon request.
  • Food/Drink – When a tourist accommodation wishes to serve food, they have two options: 1) Continental Breakfast ; or 2) Permitted Food Service
  • Laundry plan – This plan should outline the facility’s proposed process for laundering, handling, and storage of linens and towels. Laundering may be done in-house or a service may be utilized for offsite laundering of these items.
  • Single-use or Multi-use utensils – This plan should outline the proposed process for washing, rinsing, sanitizing, and protecting multi-use items such as glasses, mugs, carafes (coffee pots), and other similar items. However, the facility may choose to utilize only single-use, individually pre-wrapped items.
  • Ice dispensing – If ice is provided to the guests, this operating plan should outline how it will be provided. If self-service ice dispensing machines are provided throughout the facility, these should be designed to limit the potential for contamination.  (Specification/cut sheets should be provided for the ice dispensing machine.)  However, if ice will be provided by staff upon request, the operating plan should outline how this will be handled.
  • Extended Stay – If the business model includes an extended stay option, the facility should be designed and constructed accordingly. The operating plan should also include frequency of room cleaning under this business model.  (Please note that the minimum frequency cannot be less than weekly.)

Separate plans must be submitted if the overall proposal includes any  Food Service or Swimming Pool facilities.

Legionella and Water Management Plans

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Legionella is a naturally occurring bacteria that can grow in water and, when inhaled, can cause Pontiac fever or Legionnaires’ Disease.

Pontiac fever – It usually takes between a few hours to 3 days after being exposed to Legionella bacteria to develop Pontiac fever symptoms. This illness is milder than Legionnaires’ disease. Someone with Pontiac fever doesn’t have pneumonia.

Symptoms usually last less than 1 week and mostly include:

  • Fever
  • Muscle aches
  • Headaches

Complications are not expected with Pontiac fever.

Legionnaires’ Disease – Legionnaires’ disease symptoms usually develop 2 to 14 days after exposure to Legionella bacteria, but it can take longer.

The symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are similar to other types of pneumonia.

Symptoms include:

  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Headaches
  • Muscle aches
  • Shortness of breath

Other symptoms, such as confusion, diarrhea, or nausea can also occur.

A Water Management Plan is a tool that a tourist accommodation facility can utilize to reduce the potential for legionella growth.  The facility will learn how to assess their risk by identifying certain design features or occurrences that can lead to legionella growth.  The facility can then develop a water testing plan for early detection and treatment of legionella in their water system and routine maintenance to prevent water stagnation.  The plan will also assist the facility in identifying and responding to occurrences that could lead to legionella growth such as boil water advisories, construction, or other water interruptions.  Please see the “Legionella Resources” below for additional guidance.

Additional Resources

Administrative Resources

Bed Bug Resources

Legionella Resources

 

Locations:

10 Park Place Health Center

10 Park Place S.E. | Atlanta, GA 30303
770-520-7500 | Map of Location
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

College Park Regional Health Center

1920 John Wesley Avenue | College Park, GA 30337
770-520-7201 | Map of location
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

North Fulton Regional Health Center

4700 North Point Parkway | Alpharetta, GA 30022
770-520-7241 | Map of location
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Pin It on Pinterest