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The Zoning Process in DeKalb County

DeKalb County zoning issues are handled by a range of boards and city or county departments. Here is information about the zoning process in DeKalb County as a whole. For information on the process in cities such as Decatur, Chamblee, Lithonia, Pine Lake, etc, contact the zoning department in that city.

The Entities

Planning Department

Most county zoning issues are handled at the Manuel J. Maloof Center in Decatur, the county seat. The DeKalb County Planning Department is the clearinghouse for zoning, land use, subdivision plans and historic preservation. The agency steers proposed projects through a series of stages depending on the nature of the development. Each process includes reviews by various civilian boards, including community councils, the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals, as well as by the DeKalb County Commission, which has final authority on all development projects needing special consideration.

Community Councils

Community councils provide the first line of review for requests for rezoning, special land use permits and land use amendments. There is a community council for each DeKalb County Commission district, and the members are appointed by that district's commissioner. The councils forward nonbinding recommendations to the Planning Commission, the most widely known civilian board.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission conducts public hearings on rezoning, special land use permits and land use amendments and issues nonbinding recommendations to the DeKalb County Commission for a vote. On proposed sketch plats to build subdivisions, the Planning Commission has final authority. Inquiries to the Planning Commission are handled by the DeKalb Planning Department, at 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. in Decatur; 404-371-2155.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals handles requests for zoning exceptions such as a smaller-than-prescribed side yard or a smaller-than-prescribed parking lot. The seven members of the board are appointed by the DeKalb CEO and commission. Inquiries to the Zoning Board of Appeals are handled by the DeKalb Planning Department, at 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. in Decatur; 404-371-2155.

DeKalb County Commission

The DeKalb County Commission has final authority on all development projects needing special consideration. The Commission consists of 7 elected Commissioners representing various sections of the county. DeKalb is divided into 5 districts that are represented by Commissioners 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The county is also divided into 2 super-districts that are represented by Commissioners 6 and 7. Each section of the county is therefore represented by 2 Commissioners.

The Process

Planning Department

The process begins when an applicant files an application at the Planning Department. The Planning Department staff reviews the application and makes a recommendation whether to approve or deny.

Community Council

Each Community Council is notified by the Planning Department of new applications as they are filed. The Community Council for each district conducts public hearings. Public comment on agenda items is permitted at each meeting. The Community Council forwards nonbinding recommendations to the Planning Commission.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission conducts public hearings at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday and Thursday of each month at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur. Public comment on agenda items is permitted at each meeting. The maximum time allowed for public comment (including all speakers) is 10 minutes per land use item and 10 minutes per zoning item. Speakers must provide their names and contact information on cards before taking the podium. Written comments about a particular agenda item can be submitted as the item is read into the record. The Planning Commisson forwards nonbinding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals handles requests for zoning exceptions such as a smaller-than-prescribed side yard or a smaller-than-prescribed parking lot. They do not handle the typical zoning or land use application. The Zoning Board of Appeals conducts public hearings at 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur. Public comment on agenda items is permitted at each meeting. Speakers must provide their names and contact information on cards before taking the podium. Written comments about a particular agenda item can be submitted as the item is read into the record.

Board of Commissioners

The DeKalb County Commission hears requests for rezoning and special land use permits at 6:30 p.m. on the third and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Maloof Auditorium. Deferred cases are heard at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Maloof Auditorium. Public comment on agenda items is permitted at each meeting. The maximum time allowed for public comment (including all speakers) is 5 minutes per land use item and 10 minutes per zoning item. Speakers must provide their names and contact information on cards before taking the podium. Written comments about a particular agenda item can be submitted as the item is read into the record. The DeKalb County Commission makes the final decision whether to Approve, Deny, Defer, or Withdraw.