The Zoning Process

Jump To:

• Step 1 - Pre-Application Staff Review
• Step 2 - Application Submittal
• Step 3 - Initial Staff Review & Acceptance, Pending Payment
• Step 4 - Application Accepted
• Step 5 - Withdrawal of Application & Public Notice
• Step 6 - Planning Study
• Step 7 - Public Hearing
• Step 8 - Action Notice

Rezone, Special Use, Future Land Use Map Amendment, Variance

Step 1 - Pre-Application Staff Review

Submit for a pre-application staff review. 

Upon review, staff may deem it necessary for a zoom or in person meeting to further discuss the application.  You will be contacted if this is required. 

If no meeting is necessary, you will receive an email with staff notes pertaining to your application.  These notes are a required attachment for application submittal. 

Pre-Application Review Request

Step 2 - Application Submittal

Application submittal dates and public hearing dates can be found here.

Application attachments needed:

• Attachment A - Disclosure of campaign contributions
• Attachment B - Proffered conditions
• Attachment C - Applicant/Owner certification
• Pre-application staff review
• Letter of intent
• Site plan/concept plan
• Boundary survey (can be part of site or concept plan)
• Water or sewer availability letter (not required for BOA applications)
• Sewer letter/Environmental Health approval (septic letter) (not required for BOA applications)
• Copy of recorded plat
• Legal description

Rezone/Special Use/FLUM Amendment/CIC Application

Variance Application

Step 3 - Initial Staff Review & Acceptance, Pending Payment

Initial staff review is performed after the application has be submitted. Staff review can take up to 1 week, please plan accordingly when submitting your application.

To avoid delay in your application ensure you have all the correct required documents before submitting your application. Incorrect documents and incorrect information will delay the acceptance of the application.  Feel free to check out the Public Hearing page to review examples of completed applications and correct documents such as Letter of Intent, Site Plans, etc. 

Once the initial staff review is complete, if applicable, you will receive an email notification requesting additional information.

If no additional information is required, you will receive an email notification that the application is accepted pending payment.  At this time, you will need to log into the Portal to complete your payment.

Step 4 - Application Accepted

Only COMPLETE applications are accepted.  Once payment is received, you will receive an “Application Accepted” notification.  At this time, you will be issued a case number.   

Step 5 - Withdrawal of Application & Public Notice

You may choose to withdraw the application at any time.  To withdraw the application, please send an email requesting to withdraw your application. Refunds are only given prior to the Legal Advertisement minus a $50 administrative fee. No refunds are given once legal advertisements have been submitted to the county's legal organ.

Zoning regulations require public notice must be given prior to all zoning hearings as follows:

1.  A legal advertisement shall be published not less than 15 days, and not more than 45 days prior to the public hearing.  The County places this ad.

2.  A public notice sign shall be placed in a conspicuous location on the property not less than 15 days and not more than 45 days prior to the public hearing. You will be contacted from our office via email notification that your sign(s) are ready for pickup. Multiple sign postings on a site may be required as determined by the Department of Economic & Community Development. Signs must remain on property until an Action Notice is received.  If your sign is damaged or missing you may contact our office for a new sign.

Step 6 - Planning Study

Staff will review your application and make a recommendation via a Planning Study to the Board of Commissioners. This Planning Study will be added to your case file no later than 1 week prior to your scheduled public hearing. You can view your case file on our website at this link. 

Step 7 - Public Hearing

• Board of Appeals - Second Thursday of every month
• Planning Commission - Third Thursday of every month
• Board of Commissioners - Second Tuesday of every month

Public hearings are held at:

Barrow County Historic Courthouse
2nd Floor - Commission Meeting Room
30 N Broad Street
Winder, GA, 30680

Please be prepared to answer questions at every meeting. Note that the Planning Commission is a recommending body. The Board of Commissioners has the final vote. If you are unable to attend your meeting(s), you may send a representative in your place. You and/or your representative will be given a chance to present your case to the board in accordance with our public hearing procedures.

Step 8 - Action Notice

Once minutes have been approved, you will receive an Action Notice regarding your case within 7 business days via email.

Minutes must be approved before Action Notices are issued.

Board of Appeals - Meeting minutes will be approved at the NEXT scheduled meeting after your Public Hearing. 

Planning Commission & Board of Commissioners - Meeting minutes will be approved at the NEXT scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting after your Public Hearing date.

Once the Action Notice has been issued, the request is considered complete.  At this time, Public Notice sign(s) are to be removed from the property. If your request was approved, you may proceed with the next step in your request.

PLEASE NOTE! The action requested on the application CANNOT be completed until an Action Notice has been issued!