Navigation

  • Skip to Content
Menu
COVID-19 updates Your source for information about COVID-19
Click here for more information.
  • Pay Water Bill
  • Online Services
  • A-Z Index
  • FAQ
  • Site Map
  • Contact Us
Gwinnett County Logo
Login

Navigation

  • Home
  • About Gwinnett
    • New Citizen Checklist
    • Arts and Entertainment
    • Business and Economy
    • Education and Libraries
    • Fast Facts
    • Government Structure
    • Health Care and Housing
    • History of Gwinnett
    • Parks and Recreation
    • Public Safety and Courts
    • Sustainable Gwinnett
    • Tax Information
    • Transportation
    • Utilities
    • Vibrantly Connected
    • Your Government
    • Vision, Mission, & Values
  • Services
    • Animal Services
    • Business Services
    • Children and Family Services
    • Citizen Self Service
    • Commuter and Transit Information
    • County Municipal Codes
    • Courts, Law, and Justice
    • Emergency and Public Safety
    • Employment
    • Health and Welfare Services
    • Homeowners Associations
    • Housing and Property Services
    • COVID-19 Grant Funding Cycle
    • Motor Vehicle Services
    • Online Services
    • Open Records Requests
    • Permits, Licenses, and Certificates
    • Recreation
    • Senior and Disabled Services
    • Solid Waste Management
    • Voting and Elections
    • Voter Registration
  • Departments
    • 2040 Unified Plan
    • Animal Welfare
    • Board of Commissioners
    • Communications
    • Communications/E911
    • Community Services
    • Corrections
    • County Administrator
    • Clerk to the Commission
    • Courts
    • District Attorney
    • Economic Development
    • Elections
    • Financial Services
    • Fire and Emergency Services
    • Gwinnett County Transit
    • Health and Human Services
    • Human Resources
    • Information Technology Services
    • Law
    • Medical Examiner
    • Parks and Recreation
    • Planning and Development
    • Police
    • Purchasing
    • Senior Family Services
    • Sheriff's Office
    • Solicitor
    • Solid Waste Management
    • Support Services
    • Tax Assessor
    • Tax Commissioner
    • Transportation
    • Voter Registration and Elections
    • Water Resources
  • Calendar
    • General
    • Chamber of Commerce
    • Explore Gwinnett
    • County Holiday Schedule
    • Parks and Recreation
    • TV Gwinnett
  • News
    • News Releases
    • COVID-19 Response
    • Podcasts
    • Social Media
    • Email newsletters
    • Police News Releases
    • Fire News Releases
    • InGwinnett
    • Media Contacts
    • County Connection
    • Tag and Tax News
  • Employment
    • Job Opportunities
    • Class Specifications
    • Seasonal/Temporary Jobs
    • Intern/Apprenticeship
    • Employment and Testing
    • Screening Process
    • Human Resources
    • E-Verify
    • Volunteer Gwinnett
  • Contact Us
    • Departmental Phone Listing
    • Directions
    • Annex Building Offices
    • One Justice Square Offices
    • Technical Support
    • Language Translation
  • Top Links
    • Alarms
    • Animal Welfare
    • Assessor
    • Bids & RFPs
    • Budget
    • Burn Ban Notice
    • Bus Routes
    • Business License - Online Renewals
    • Citizen Self Service
    • Commission Meeting Videos
    • County Commissioners
    • Crime Mapping
    • Economic Development
    • Elections Voter Registration
    • Emergency Management
    • Environmental & Heritage Center
    • GIS Data Browser
    • Grants
    • Health & Human Services
    • Homeland Security
    • InGwinnett
    • Neighborhood Stabilization Program
    • Park Conditions and Alerts
    • Parks and Recreation
    • Pay Water Bill Online
    • Phone Listing
    • Prevention and Enforcement (Fire)
    • Quality of Life Unit
    • Recycling Directory
    • Road Closures
    • Senior Services
    • Street Light Outage
    • Tax Information
    • Trash Pickup
    • Unclaimed Property/Refunds
    • Vendor Registration
    • Volunteer Gwinnett
    • Water Outages Information
    • Water Resources Contacts
    • Water Resources Customer Service
Close X

Start New Search

Development Plan Review

  1. Departments
  2. Planning and Development
  3. Plan Review
  4. Development Plan Review
Print

Development Plan Review

Development Plan Review Menu
  • Documents and Regulations
  • Forms
  • FAQs

Development Plan Review Section

The Development Review Section of the Department of Planning and Development is responsible for the review, permitting, and approval of all civil site plans, final plats, sign permits, and various other land development activity located in unincorporated Gwinnett County. This section is also responsible for the assignment of street and subdivision names, issuance of street addresses, approval of location plans for new houses and additions to existing homes, and Chattahoochee River Corridor Reviews.

Land Development Fees

Land Development Fees (PDF)

Architectural Elevation Submittals

All developments that have a rezoning or Special Use Permit condition with regard to architectural treatments must have department approval prior to the issuance of any building permits.

Architectural Elevations Submittal Procedures and Form (PDF)

Chattahoochee River Corridor Reviews

In response to growing concerns about the Chattahoochee River, in 1973 the Georgia General Assembly enacted the Metropolitan River Protection Act (Georgia Code 12-5-440 et seq.). It established a 2000-foot Corridor along both banks of the Chattahoochee River and its impoundments for the 48 miles between Buford Dam and Peachtree Creek. The Act was amended in 1998 to extend the Corridor an additional 36 miles to the downstream limits of Fulton and Douglas Counties (the limit of the Atlanta Region). The act requires the Atlanta Regional Commission to adopt a plan to protect the Chattahoochee River Corridor and to review development proposals for consistency with the plan.

The Act requires local governments along the corridor including Gwinnett County to implement the plan by issuing permits based on ARC findings, monitoring land-disturbing activity in the corridor and enforcing the act and the plan. Under the act, land-disturbing activity in the corridor must comply with the adopted plan to be legal. For more information, please see the Atlanta Regional Commission website.

Please call the Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development, Development Plan Review Section at 678.518.6000 if your property is located within the Chattahoochee River Corridor. You may use Gwinnett County's GIS Data Browser to determine if your property is within the corridor.

Chattahoochee River Corridor As-built Survey Hold and Release Affidavit (PDF)
Chattahoochee River Corridor House Location Plan (PDF)

Location Plans

  • Accessory Building Location Plan On Residential Lots (PDF)
  • Building Addition Location Plan For Home Additions (PDF)
  • Building Permit Requirements for Accessory Buildings (Residential) (PDF)
  • Building Permit Requirements for Accessory Buildings (Residential) (SPANISH) (PDF)
  • Building Permit Requirements for Finished Basements (PDF)
  • Building Permit Requirements for Deck Additions (PDF)
  • Building Permit Requirements for Home Additions (PDF)
  • Building Permit Requirements for New Homes (PDF)
  • Chattahoochee River Corridor House Location Plan (PDF)
  • House Location Plan (PDF)
  • Swimming Pool Location Plan (PDF)

Modifications

The Development Plan Review section processes administrative modification applications to the Unified Development Ordinance.

Modification Application (PDF)

Specimen Tree Information

For preliminary site visits the Development Inspections Section has arborists on staff that will meet with the developer's professional (certified arborist, landscape architect or urban forester) on a proposed site to discuss and verify that a tree meets the specimen tree identification criteria that is listed in the Unified Development Ordinance. To schedule an appointment for a preliminary site visit call 678.518.6000.

Steps for Preliminary Site Visit for Specimen Tree Inspection (PDF)

For Specimen Tree Concept Plans, the Development Plan Review section reviews the plans that are required after the preliminary site visit and before a commercial development or residential development is permitted. A Specimen Tree Concept Plan is required when there are specimen tree(s) present on the site. Specimen Tree Concept Plans show the existing specimen trees, critical root zones of the specimen trees, proposed building footprint, parking, driveways, existing and proposed utilities and conceptual detention. For questions regarding the Specimen Tree Concept Plan call 678.518.6000 or visit our office.


Specimen Tree Removal Authorization Form (PDF)

Specimen Tree Forms

  • Specimen Tree Concept Plan Application (PDF)
  • Specimen Tree CRZ Disturbance Authorization Form (PDF)
  • Specimen Tree Survey Application (PDF)
  • Tree Survey Table for Specimen Sized Trees (XLS)
  • Tree Preservation/ Replacement Plan Table for Specimen Trees (XLS)

Street Names and Addressing

The Addressing Unit of the Development Plan Review Section is responsible for the issuance of street numbers, assignment of new subdivision and street names, and existing address verifications. In addition, the unit is responsible for the approval of house location plans (HLPs), building addition plan locations, accessory structure plan locations, swimming pool location plans, Chattahoochee River Corridor plan review, and in-law suites prior to the issuance of any building permits. Also this unit answers questions regarding setbacks, fences and swimming pools on residential property. For issuance of street numbers, please visit our office with a site plan. For the approval of new street or subdivision names, please call 678.518.6000 or visit our office.

Street Name Changes

The Development Plan Review Section of the Development Division processes Street Name Changes for existing, named streets located in unincorporated Gwinnett County. A completed application form must be submitted along with a petition signed by all affected property owners to the Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development, Development Plan Review Section. (An affected property owner is one who owns an interest in property contiguous to the street).

The proposed name is submitted for review and approval to various county departments. If they approve the application, a notice is distributed and a public hearing held. If 100 percent of the affected property owners sign the petition, then no public hearing is required. If a street name change is approved, then the applicant is responsible for the cost of replacing the sign blades. Please call the Development Plan Review Section at 678.518.6000 for more information.

Street Name Change Application (PDF)

Tall Structure Permits (TSP)

Tall Structure Permits (TSP) are processed by the Development Plan Review Section in the Development Division. There a five (5) different types of TSPs: Commercial Communication Towers, Permitted Use Towers, Co-Location Antennas, Amateur Radio Towers, and Other Tall Structures. TSPs for Commercial Communications Towers, Amateur Radio Towers, and the Other Tall Structures are heard by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on regularly scheduled public hearing agendas. TSPs for co-located antennas are handled administratively by Department of Planning and Development staff. The last type of TSP - Permitted Use Towers are processed administratively by the Department of Planning and Development staff and by the Zoning Board of Appeals if necessary.

  • Tall Structure Permit Application (PDF)
  • Telecommunication Tower Tall Structure Permit Application  (PDF)
  • Tall Structure Permit Schedule (PDF)

Temporary Outdoor Activity Ordinance

A temporary outdoor activity is an activity not to exceed twenty (20) consecutive days. A second permit for a temporary outdoor activity on the same property may not be applied for or renewed within six (6) months from the date of any prior approval of a temporary outdoor activity. Please call 678.518.6000 or visit our office to determine whether you need to obtain a permit for a temporary outdoor activity.

Temporary Outdoor Activity Ordinance (PDF)
Temporary Outdoor Activity Permit Application (PDF)

Variances

Applications are accepted for variances to the Unified Development Ordinance. There are two types of variance applications. The first, a Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) application, requires a public hearing and takes approximately 30 to 45 days. Please see the filing deadline and hearing date schedule. The ZBA meets on the second Tuesday of each month (unless otherwise published) at 6:30 PM, usually in the auditorium of the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.

The second type, an administrative application, is processed without a public hearing. Most administrative applications take from three (3) to five (5) business days to process. Administrative buffer width applications, however, take from five (5) to 10 business days. Processing time begins after receiving a complete application with all required information.

Variance Links

  • Variance Application and Guidelines (PDF)
  • Variance Consent Form (PDF)
  • Zoning Board of Appeals
  • Zoning Board of Appeals Agendas
  • Zoning Board of Appeals Schedule (PDF)

Waivers

Applications are accepted for waivers to the Unified Development Ordinance. There are two types of waiver applications: those decided by the Board of Commissioners (most requirements) and those decided by the Board of Construction Adjustments & Appeals (storm water management requirements). After a review by staff, waivers are scheduled for public hearing. The Board of Commissioners review & decide upon waiver applications monthly at their 3rd Tuesday 2:00 PM meeting. The Board of Construction Adjustments & Appeals review and decide upon waiver applications monthly at their 2nd Wednesday 3:00 PM meeting. Processing time typically takes 45 to 60 days for a decision. If approved, a waiver applies only to a specific project or property requirement that it is associated.

Waiver Links

  • Board of Commissioners Public Hearing Agendas
  • Board of Construction Adjustments and Appeals
  • Waiver Application and Guidelines (PDF)
  • Waivers Submittal and Public Hearing Schedule - Board of Commissioners (PDF)
  • Waivers Submittal and Public Hearing Schedule - Board of Construction Adjustments and Appeals (BCAA) (PDF)

Land Development Activity

Located below are several links to listings of development permits, projects submitted for review, and to annual reports summarizing land development activity in the county. In addition, you can customize your permit search by using the department's Search Permits Service. You can search for any of the department's permit or case types using your parameters. If you have any questions concerning this information, please contact the Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development, Development Division at 678.518.6000.

Annual Development Activity Reports
Development Permits Issued
Development Plan Submittals

Additional Links

  • Board of Construction Adjustments and Appeals (BCAA)
  • Development Plan Review Documents and Regulations
  • Development Plan Review Forms
  • Department of Planning and Development Forms
  • Department of Planning and Development Documents and Regulations
  • Land Development Fees (PDF)
  • Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)

Contact Information

Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development
Development Plan Review Section
One Justice Square
446 West Crogan Street, Suite 150
Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046
678.518.6000 (office)
678.518.6240 (fax)

Hours of Operation:

Walk-in Customer Service Hours:

8:00am - 5:00pm Monday through Thursday
9:00am - 5:00pm Friday

Phone: 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday through Friday

Section Staff Contact Information

Staff and Email Title Phone Number Role
     
Maria Serban
Plan Review Manager 678.518.6016 Section Manager
Tyler Lasser Planner III 678.518.6014 Variances and Modifications
Terri Drabek Planner II 678.518.6018 Development Permits
Sharon Cook Planner II 678.518.6017 Final Plats, Signs, and Addressing
Jack Pendergrass Planner I 678.518.6012 Final Plats, Accessory Structures
James Hornbeck Planner I 678.518.6075 Signs, Accessory Structures
Vacant Planner I 678.518.6075 Vacant
Contact Us Signup for Newsletters
  • Follow Us
Contact
Gwinnett Justice &
Administration Center
75 Langley Drive
Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Phone: 770.822.8000

  • Open Records Request
  • ADA Information
Services
  • Pay Water Bill
  • Licensing & Revenue
  • Commuter Information
  • Death Certificate
  • Driver's License
  • e-Government Online
  • Citizen Self Service
  • InGwinnett
  • Marriage License
  • Courts, Law & Justice
  • Municipal Codes
  • Voter Registration
  • Public Library
  • Recycling/Solid Waste
Departments
  • Community Services
  • Corrections
  • Elections
  • Financial Services
  • Fire & Emergency Services
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology
  • Planning & Development
  • Police
  • Sheriff
  • Support Services
  • Tax Commissioner
  • Transportation
  • Water Resources
A-Z Index
FAQ
Site Map

Official Site of Gwinnett County Government
Copyright 2021, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners