The Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development will be closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27, 2009 in observance of Thanksgiving.

The Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development is pleased to announce the implementation of our new permitting and inspection software system effective Tuesday, December 1, 2009. We have scheduled this conversion over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to minimize any inconvenience to our customers. On Monday, November 30, 2009, prior to the implementation, permitting and financial transactions will be limited; however we will continue to provide all plan review services.

Builders and Contractors are strongly encouraged to call in inspection requests based on the below schedule:

For an Inspection on:	Inspection request must be received no later than:
Monday, November 23, 2009	Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009	Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009	Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009	Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Automated phone inspection requests will be available by calling 678.518.6277.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience during this exciting upgrade in our software systems. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact a member of our project team at 678.518.6000.

New Accela System Notice (PDF)

Effective July 1, 2009, the zip code for the Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development will change to 30046. The Department's new mailing address will be:

Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development
One Justice Square
446 West Crogan Street
Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Congratulations to the Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development for earning the Georgia Planning Association's (GPA) Award for Outstanding Planning Document for a Large Community for the County's 2030 Unified Plan. The submissions were judged on the basis of the following criteria:

• Innovation of concept
• Transferability to other areas or projects
• Quality of thought, analysis and character
• Effectiveness of, or promise for, Implementation
• Comprehensiveness of principles observed
• Strong effort to solicit Public Participation
• Use of Technology in planning processes
• Demonstration of Equity in planning processes and implemented projects
• Integration of Sustainable practices to mitigate adverse impacts from development and everyday living.

Gwinnett County staff members Vince Edwards AICP, James Pugsley AICP, and Nancy Lovingood AICP accepted the award from the GPA President at the GPA's Chapter Awards ceremony on October 2, 2009.

2009 GPA Chapter Awards Winners (PDF)

The numbers are in! Enhancements to the Buffer, Landscape and Tree Ordinance of Gwinnett County have succeeded in the required planting of over 15,000 street trees. These shade trees are in addition to the 3,161 acres preserved in open and green space through the Conservation Subdivision Overlay option in its Zoning Resolution.

The Gwinnett County Tree Advisory Committee is responsible for initiating and supporting these enhancements to the Buffer, Landscape and Tree Ordinance (BLT Ordinance). Meeting on a monthly basis since their creation in 1999, they have studied and discussed the BLT Ordinance. Several times in the past 10 years they have revised the Ordinance. In 2007 significant changes were adopted by the Board of Commissioners resulting in increased tree preservation and the basis for this award nomination. The Department of Planning & Development enforces the requirements of the BLT.

Due to their continued focus on improving the BLT Ordinance, and to a new focus on preservation of specimen trees and increased tree canopy, The Tree Advisory Committee (TAC) and Gwinnett County Department of Planning & Development won the Georgia Urban Tree Council 2009 award in the Civic Organization category.

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) announces its commitment to increase efforts to promote energy conservation throughout the community as part of the countywide Gwinnett Environmental Sustainability Program. Implementation of the program began earlier this year with the establishment of best practices and adoption of policies which directly contribute to protection of our environment and efficient use of vital resources including energy and water. Please see the Energy Code Enforcement Notification (PDF) for more information.

For additional information, please contact Dana Baites (Division Plan Review Manager) at 678.518.6041or dana.baites@gwinnettcounty.com with questions regarding changes in energy code enforcement and Joel Rodriguez (Building Inspections Manager) at 678.518.6035 or joel.rodriguez@gwinnettcounty.com with specific inspection-related questions.

Energy Code Enforcement Notification (PDF)

Listed below are links to the final Gwinnett County 2030 Unified Plan reports and technical appendices.

Builder Licensing

Effective July 1, 2008, the State of Georgia will require a license from the State Licensing Board for residential builders and general contractors. Please see the Georgia Secretary of State website for complete information. Additional information is available at the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association website.

State Contractor Licensing Information Package (PDF)

Erosion Certification

The State of Georiga has education and training certification requirements for persons involved with land disturbing activities. Anyone involved in land development, design, review, permitting, construction, monitoring, inspection, or any land-disturbing activity in Georgia must meet these new education requirements and be certified by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Please see the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission website for complete information.

In 2006, the Matrix Consulting Group was retained by Gwinnett County to conduct a study of the County's development and building plan review process including technology, organizational structure, customer service, staffing levels, and interdepartmental coordination. While many positive features concerning the current process were documented, the study focused on opportunities for improvement. The study's main recommendations included:

• Consolidate County plan review services and change several current procedures
• Implement requirements of Georgia House Bill 1385 (PDF)
• Increase the use of technology
• Proceed with digital data submittal and review project

The major findings and key recommendations are presented in the Development and Plan Review Process Presentation (PDF).

While many of the recommendations will be transparent to the customer, information concerning specific changes and implementation time frames will be provided as the County and the Department of Planning and Development progress through the recommendations. Much of the information will be provided here on the "News & Notices" page but process or procedural changes will also be reflected where necessary in the various documents and forms that are located throughout the County's website. Changes in the current development and building plan review process are intended to provide the best customer service possible while maintaining the County's responsibility of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of all its residents and visitors.

Due to extreme space limitations and in an attempt to move forward with our Digital Data Submission Project, the Department of Planning & Development will begin requiring all development plan submittals in an electronic format. Additionally, the approved plans must also be submitted in an electronic format. All submittals must be on a compact disc as a PDF or TIF file with accompanying jewel case. Please note that this is in addition to the 12 sets of paper plans and is part of the minimum submittal criteria for weekly plan submittals. This requirement will become effective on Tuesday, September 12, 2006.

YOUR PLANS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT AN ELECTRONIC FILE!

If you have questions, please call the Development Review Section at 678.518.6010. Thank you for your cooperation.

Digital Data Submittal for Development Plans