(a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, to encourage cooperation between the various counties, from March 15, 1988, through April 1, 1990, no permit shall be issued for a solid waste disposal facility in any county having a population of more than 350,000 according to the United States decennial census of 1980 or any future such census if any part of the site is within one-half mile of an adjoining county without the applicant's first receiving the express approval of the governing authority of that adjoining county; provided, however, that the director may permit such a facility if the applicant provides evidence that no alternative sites or methods are available in that jurisdiction for the handling of its solid waste. This paragraph shall apply to all permit applications that are pending or made on or after March 15, 1988, and to all permits issued prior to May 1, 1988, which permits are the subject of an appeal or judicial review and such appeal or judicial review is in process.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, until after April 1, 1990, no permit shall be issued to a private applicant for a solid waste disposal facility in any county of this state having a population of more than 350,000 according to the United States decennial census of 1980 or any future such census if any part of the site is within two miles of an adjoining county without the applicant's first receiving express approval of the governing authority of the adjoining county. As used in this paragraph, the term "private applicant" means any private person, firm, corporation, or other private entity, and the term does not mean or include the United States government or any agency thereof, the State of Georgia or any agency, institution, or public authority thereof, or any county or municipality of this state. As used in this paragraph, the term "solid waste disposal facility" shall not mean or include any solid waste disposal facility which incorporates waste to energy processing, recycling, activities associated with the recycling process, or any combination of the foregoing.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, to encourage cooperation among the various cities and counties, after April 4, 1997, no permit shall be issued for a municipal solid waste disposal facility in any city or county if any part of the site is within one-half mile of the boundaries of such city or county adjoining any city or county in this state without the applicant's first receiving the express approval of the governing authority of that adjoining city or county; provided, however, that the director may permit such a facility if the applicant provides evidence that no alternative sites or methods are available in that jurisdiction or in any adjoining jurisdiction of the affected city and county for the handling of its solid waste. This paragraph shall apply to all permit applications that are pending on or made after April 4, 1997, and to all permits issued prior to such date, which permits are the subject of an appeal or judicial review and such appeal or judicial review is in process.

(b) The consent of an adjoining city or county as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section shall not be required either by new permit or by modification of an existing permit when the expansion of an existing municipal solid waste disposal facility is granted by the director or when the ownership, direct or indirect, of an existing municipal solid waste disposal facility is transferred.