Private Work Activities
Section 7.01 Contractors
All persons who perform any private work of any description on any cemetery lot in which they do not own burial rights must be employed by a company with a current business license for the type of work performed and valid insurance.
All work must comply with these rules herein and be ordered by the owner(s) or heir(s) of the burial rights or an authorized agent of the heir.
The owner(s) or heir(s) of the burial rights may perform general cleaning and upkeep to the structures and grounds on their cemetery lots.
City employees performing their official duties on cemetery lots are excluded from these requirements.
Section 7.02 Work Activities
Work activities on cemetery lots include, but are not limited to, the installation, construction, maintenance, or removal of vaults, structures, utilities, or vegetation.
All work activities must be approved by the Director of Cemeteries prior to commencement.
Section 7.03 Work Permits Required
No work of any description shall be done or placed upon a lot unless a permit has been obtained from the Department of Cemeteries. This rule applies to the cutting of inscriptions, setting of markers, and to the addition or removal of any monument, marker, slab, coping, corner post, cradle, or any other structure from the lot. This rule also applies to the installation, maintenance, or removal of trees or other vegetation. This rule also applies to any other work activities.
It shall be the responsibility of the contractor to provide the customers’ names, lot numbers, and description of work activity.
A separate fee will be charged for each monument, marker, or other item installed or removed.
No vegetative or construction debris, supplies, or materials shall be allowed to remain longer than fifteen (15) days without the permission of the Director of Cemeteries.
Section 7.04 Work Permit Fees
Fees for work permits shall be assessed at rates established by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah.
All fees for work permits must be paid before the work commences.
A permit shall be valid for a period of thirty (30) days and may be extended for an additional thirty (30) days upon approval of the Director of Cemeteries. If the fees are changed between the time the permit is applied for and the time the work is done, a grace period of thirty (30) days will be allowed to complete the work at the previous fee.
The person or agency requesting the permit must pay the difference in fees if fees are increased and the work has not been completed in thirty (30) days or the permit will be void.
All fees must be paid by check, money order, or credit card. No cash will be accepted.
Section 7.05 Structure Installation or Removal Permits
Work permit fees for the installation or removal of structures vary depending upon the structure.
The fee for the installation or removal of individual grave markers more than thirty-six (36) inches wide will be assessed at the rate established for monuments.
All structures installed must comply with these rules and regulations or the contractor will be required to remove any noncompliant structures within five (5) working days.
Work permit fees will not be refunded for noncompliant structures and an additional work permit will be required for the replacement structure if installed after thirty (30) days of the initial permit
Section 7.06 Landscape Installation or Removal Permits
Work permits are required for the addition or removal of soil, mulch, turf, groundcover, flowers, shrubs, trees, tree parts (roots, stumps, or limbs), or vegetation of any sort by a contractor (See Article V. Vegetation Management).
Section 7.07 Landscape Maintenance Permits
A maintenance permit is required for routine maintenance including the cutting or trimming of turf or groundcover, the irrigation of vegetation, the raking or hoeing of cemetery lots, or the removal of wild growth less than one inch (1") in diameter.
One (1) permit is required per cemetery lot per year.
All maintenance permits shall expire on December 31st of the year issued.
Section 7.08 Statues and Sculptures
Any statues, sculptures, or figurines placed on a cemetery lot must be approved by the Director of Cemeteries prior to installation. Photographs or drawings of such structures may be submitted for approval in advance of purchase.
Any statue, sculpture, or figurine must be tasteful and suitable for display in a public cemetery in the judgment of the Director. The Director will attempt to ensure that such structures do not depreciate the value of surrounding cemetery lots.
Section 7.09 Flagpoles and Flags
The installation of new flagpoles is prohibited in all sections of Greenwich Cemetery and sections S, T, and U of Bonaventure Cemetery.
Flagpoles within any areas not previously mentioned must be approved by the Director of Cemeteries prior to installation.
Small temporary flags (not to exceed 12" x 18") are allowed and encouraged to be displayed on cemetery monuments and memorials, especially on federal and state holidays.
Section 7.10 Hours for Work Activities
Hours for work activities will be Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
No work shall be done on Saturdays, Sundays, or City holidays without the approval of the Director of Cemeteries and the payment of an after-hour access fee in addition to the work permit fee.
Work required for a burial service on a Saturday, Sunday, City holiday, or the following day will be allowed.
Section 7.11 After-Hour Work Activities
Permission for after-hour work activities (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM) Monday through Friday or any time on a Saturday, Sunday, or City holiday) must be requested at least one week in advance of the work.
Any work in progress when a cemetery closes must cease or the contractor will be charged a fee for after-hour access as determined by the Mayor and Aldermen.
Section 7.12 Inspections
The erection, placement, and maintenance of any structures or any work of any sort shall be subject to the supervision of the Department of Cemeteries.
Section 7.13 Responsibilities of Contractors
Contractors shall be responsible for any damage on private cemetery lots or within the general areas of the cemetery incurred during the process of work activities.
Contractors will be held responsible for the actions of all persons employed by them while within the cemetery grounds.
Contractors must immediately report to the Department of Cemeteries any damage to trees, shrubbery, turf, signs, coping, lot markers, monuments, utilities, or structures caused by their personnel, vehicles, or work activities in the cemetery.
Contractors must restore any damage to the turf including the filling of ruts and the removal of any tire tracks or other evidence of vehicles or equipment caused by work activities.
Section 7.14 Waste Disposal
Contractors shall remove from the cemetery and legally dispose of any surplus or waste materials generated by their work activities daily and immediately upon the completion of their work. This includes any vegetative materials removed from cemetery lots. The Director of Cemeteries may require more frequent disposal of excessive waste or waste that may detract from a scheduled funeral or special event.
Section 7.15 Noise
All workers in the immediate vicinity of the interment must cease operations and remain quiet during funeral services in the vicinity (See Article II. Conduct of Persons, Section 2.8 Noise).