The Planning Division manages current planning, long-range planning, and planning data services for the County. Long-range planning activities include master planning, community education and other special projects. Current planning activities include zoning administration, maintaining the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), supporting the Gwinnett County Planning Commission,  Board of Commissioners, and the Zoning Board of Appeals, and related tasks. Planning data services activities include creating and maintaining GIS data, producing maps and other special projects.

The County recently completed a Comprehensive Housing Study to better understand housing assets and future housing needs. 

Effective June 30, 2023, all requests for Rezoning, Change in Conditions, and Special Use Permits must be submitted per the Department's updated Procedures and Instructions.

Pre-Application Meetings - Mandatory meetings with Planning Division staff prior to submittal of applications for Rezoning, Change-in-Conditions, Buffer Reductions Waivers, and Variances. These are mandatory meetings with staff and include review of the zoning request, explanation of the application process, and overview of the application and public hearings schedule. Concurrent variance and waiver requests may be considered with a zoning application.

Rezonings - A request to change the zoning classification of a property to permit different uses.

Special Use Permit - A request to conduct specific activities which are compatible with but not permitted in a zoning district.

Change in Conditions - A request to amend zoning conditions previously adopted by the Board of Commissioners.

Buffer Reduction Waivers - A zoning buffer is an undisturbed land area used to separate dissimilar uses through screening and distance. A Buffer Reduction Waiver is a request to reduce the minimum required width of an undisturbed zoning buffer.

Variance - A request to deviate from the terms of Title 2 and applicable sections of Title 3 of the Gwinnett County Unified Development Ordinance. Most Variance requests are heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals but some are within the scope of consideration as Administrative Variances.

Zoning Certification - Written documentation of the existing zoning of a particular property.

Auto Broker Affidavit - Applicant affidavit confirming compliance with the regulations of the Unified Development Ordinance. This form must be completed in-person at 446 West Crogan Street, Suite 300 Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046.

In-home family daycare certification - If you plan to operate a daycare with 5 or less children within your home, the State requires you obtain Zoning Certification from the County. This form must be completed in-person at 446 West Crogan Street, Suite 300 Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046.

Phone: 678.518.6000
Email: P&D-PlanningZoning@GwinnettCounty.com