Planning Division

The Planning Division is responsible for long-range planning, data analysis and zoning administration activities in Gwinnett County.

The Long-Range Planning Section of the Planning Division is responsible for formulating policy recommendations and programs to guide future growth and development in Gwinnett County. These duties include the preparation, update, implementation and monitoring of the Gwinnett County 2040 Unified Plan, sector or small area plans, special projects as well as coordination with the County's municipalities and other local, regional, State and Federal government agencies.

The Current Planning Section administers Title 2 of the Unified Development Ordinance (Land Use and Zoning). This section receives, reviews and analyzes applications to rezone property in the unincorporated areas of the County. In addition, the section accepts and processes Special Use Permit, Change-in-Condition, and Buffer Reduction applications, disseminates zoning information to the public, and prepares zoning certification letters as requested. This section also coordinates the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) submittal process with State and regional government agencies. The Current Planning Section provides staff support to the Gwinnett County Planning Commission.

The Planning Division has a considerable amount of public interaction. The Planning Division responds to walk-in visitors, telephone calls and e-mails seeking technical assistance with zoning, land use, etc. Additional Planning Division services include coordinating County-wide planning studies, research, GIS mapping, data analysis, and census-based demographic information.

The Long-Range Planning Section of the Planning Division reviews all annexation proposals by each of the 16 cities located all or in part within the County. Information on each proposal is entered into a database where it can be tracked from initial notice to final outcome. When an annexation is approved, the departmental records and maps are revised to reflect the new city limit boundaries and any associated changes in zoning or projected land use.

If the Board of Commissioners determines that the change in zoning or development proposed through annexation would have major negative impacts on the County, an objections and dispute resolution process can be initiated. Throughout these procedures, the Planning Division provides technical assistance on land use issues to the Board of Commissioners and Law Department.

The Planning Division provides support to the Gwinnett Planning Committee (GPC). The GPC is comprised of county staff, municipal planners, and other interested parties and its purpose is to promote open discussion of planning trends, issues and opportunities. The GPC provides a forum for inter-departmental and inter-agency communication, cooperation, and information sharing. Please call the Long-Range Planning Section at 678.518.6000 for more information.

The Current Planning Section of the Planning Division is responsible for the processing of rezoning, Special Use Permit, Change-in-Conditions and Buffer Reduction applications in unincorporated Gwinnett County. The Current Planning Section also provides staff support to the Municipal-Gwinnett County Planning Commission.

Zoning Information
Current Planning Forms
Applications Received
BoC Resolutions
Planning Commission Agendas
Planning Commission Minutes
Planning Commission Videos