Planning & Sustainability Department Newsletter
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Planning Commission -- 07/07/2026 @ 6:00 PM | Zoom
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Zoning Board of Appeals -- 07/08/26 @ 1:00 PM | Zoom
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Historic Preservation Committee -- 07/20/26 @ 6:00 PM | Zoom
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The Future of DeKalb Imagined
DeKalb County Planning and Sustainability is excited to share the launch of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update. This update is an important opportunity to guide the County’s unincorporated areas toward sustainable, equitable and well-planned growth.
The Comprehensive Land Use Plan is a foundational policy document that establishes a long-term vision for future land use, housing, economic development, sustainability, and community investment.
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
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Survey -- Share your vision for DeKalb County through our 5–10-minute survey: Visioning Survey | Engage DeKalb
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Pop-Ups -- Our team will be taking part in different community events to share information about this project. Check our website for where we will pop-up in July!
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Open House -- Our team will be hosting our first open house very soon! Stay tuned for more updates.
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Towers 101 - Final Public Meeting
Come join us at Towers Community 101 to learn about planning, community engagement, and more!
We invite the Towers community to the final public meeting for Community 101. The Planning & Sustainability Department looks forward to sharing a collective action plan for next steps based on input from residents of the Towers neighborhood.
Towers 101 - Final Public Meeting
| | DeKalb County Zoning & Sign Ordinance Rewrite | | | | |
DeKalb Zoning & Sign Ordinance Rewrite
DeKalb County is updating the zoning and sign regulations with the community in mind. Zone DeKalb is the County’s effort to modernize and simplify zoning and sign regulations, helping guide future growth in alignment with community priorities and the 2050 Unified Plan.
Engagement Opportunity
Our survey is open! Responses will provide insight into survey respondents' relationship to DeKalb County and their familiarity with the zoning and sign codes.
The survey will be open throughout July, but don't delay! Make your voice be heard today!
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Decatur Terrace Small Area Plan
DeKalb County has embarked on a Small Area Plan (SAP) for the Decatur Terrace area!
Over 35 community members participated in the first public meeting held on June 04th. Community members provided meaningful input on vision for their community.
Community members are invited to share their thoughts through a five-minute survey.
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DeKalb County is working on a Small Area Plan (SAP) for the Starlight Heights neighborhood. Located off Moreland Avenue, this quiet neighborhood has been the focus of increased interest and development in recent years.
The Small Area Plan will focus on defining who Starlight Heights is and who it wants to be through placemaking, policies, infrastructure recommendations, and storytelling.
| | | Greater Hidden Hills Overlay Update | |
The Greater Hidden Hills Overlay District is an area of around 4 square miles bordered by Covington Highway, S Hairston Road, Redan Road, and Panola Road.
The overlay is currently being updated to reflect the current needs of the community.
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Embry Hills - Presidential Parkway and Surrounding Communities Placemaking Strategy
The project management team is putting together the final draft. We would like to thank the community for their continued support and insight on this project.
Stay tuned for updates about the adoption process!
| | | DeKalb County Comprehensive Housing Plan | |
The project management team is currently conducting focus group interviews and drafting final recommendations.
Stay tuned for future engagement opportunities and updates!
| | | Text Amendments & Ordinances | |
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Short-Term Rental Program is now live!
The DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability Department has officially launched the short-term rental (STR) program! All STR owners/operators can now obtain a STR license using the new portal: https://portal.deckard.com/ga-dekalb-str-portal
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Data Center Text Amendment - Update! | |
On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted to deny the proposed Data Center Text Amendment. The Planning & Sustainability Department would like to thank all community members for their engagement throughout the past year.
While the scope of our project was unable to capture all the concerns of the community, we are proud of the work that our staff has put into researching, defining, and drafting the proposed text amendment drafts. We hope that this work serves as a foundation for future efforts to regulate data centers and provide the protection needed for DeKalb County residents.
Thank you once again, and we look forward to continuing supporting DeKalb County through our planning efforts.
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Summer Surge in Permit Activity: What to Know
Summer is one of the busiest times of year for construction and renovation projects. As permit applications increase, review and processing times may be longer than usual.
Residents, contractors, and business owners are encouraged to submit permit applications as early as possible and ensure all required documents are included to help avoid delays.
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Permit Activity Spotlight: May 2026
In May, a total of 719 permits have been issued, reflecting ongoing investment, growth, and development in our community.
Of those permits, 178 were building permits supporting residential and commercial projects, while 64 were city service permits helping to advance essential infrastructure and public improvements. Together, these numbers highlight the wide range of projects moving forward—from private development to community serving improvements.
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Candler Project Enters Permitting Phase
Exciting progress is underway for the highly anticipated Candler Project— an important development for the surrounding community. The project has officially entered the permitting phase, marking a major milestone in moving plans forward.
As part of this progress, the Publix site address has now been permitted to begin demolition activities. This step signals the start of visible changes on the ground and sets the stage for the next phase of redevelopment.
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Planning & Sustainability Fleet Shines in June Vehicle Check
The Planning & Sustainability Department Inspections Fleet successfully completed its Vehicle Check Initiative on June 12, with results demonstrating a strong commitment to safety, accountability, and operational excellence.
The initiative reviewed departmental vehicles to ensure compliance with established maintenance, safety, and operational standards. The assessment found an impressive 95% compliance rate across the fleet, with only minor issues identified. All noted concerns were promptly addressed or scheduled for corrective action.
| | Learn about Land Development | | |
Land Disturbance Permit Requirements for Fire-Damaged Property Redevelopments in DeKalb County
A Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) may be required for the redevelopment of fire-damaged properties in DeKalb County, Georgia, depending on the scope of work on the project.
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Projects Where a LDP for Fire-Damage is Not Required
- When repairs of a fire-damage structure are within the existing footprint.
- When minimal site work with little to no grading is performed.
- When there is no significant impact on drainage patterns or stormwater facilities.
- When there is no land disturbance outside of existing building footprint.
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Projects Where a LDP for Fire-Damage is Required
• Demolition and reconstruction of a project with a different building footprint.
• Significant grading, excavation, filling, or clearing activities on project site.
• The construction of new driveways, parking areas, or utility infrastructure.
• Any modifications to stormwater management facilities.
• Any site work that triggers erosion and sediment control requirements that is greater than one (>1) acre.
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Keep the Sparkle, Skip the Waste: 10 Ways to Celebrate July 4th Sustainably
As you make plans for the Fourth of July—whether it’s a picnic in the park, a neighborhood cookout, or simply enjoying the outdoors—it’s a perfect time to give back to the places we love. Small actions like picking up litter, using reusable supplies, and recycling properly can make a big difference.
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Our Front Yard Tree Program is an opportunity for DeKalb homeowners to add shade and beauty to their yard, at no cost to the homeowner. Our partner, Trees Atlanta, provides advice on species selection and the best location for the tree, and will deliver and plant the tree.
Click here to fill out an application for a front yard tree!
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Christopher Wheeler - Current Planning Manager
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry Science from Alabama A&M University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of West Georgia. He brings over 12 years of local government experience across the Atlanta Metro area, with previous stops at Gwinnett County, Rockdale County, City of Stonecrest, City of Johns Creek, and, most recently, the city of Mableton, where he served as the Planning and Zoning Manager.
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Association of Gravestone Studies' visits Kalamazoo
Senior Planner Paige Jennings, as part of the Association of Gravestone Studies (AGS), visited West Michigan's Kalamazoo Cemetery and other notable cemeteries in the area to learn about how these sites can also be preserved in DeKalb County.
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