Growth Management

The Planning and Community Development Department (P&CD) is comprised of two divisions. Each division has separate tasks. Planning primarily involves the management of growth and development within the County, and the Community Development division manages affordable housing programs such as the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program and the Brownfields Program.

The Planning Division is responsible for the administration and implementation of the County's Comprehensive Plan, the Land Development Code, and Stormwater Policies and Procedures. The County's Comprehensive Plan guides long-range growth in the County and is comprised of policies that influence the type, the amount, the timing, and the location of new development. The County's Land Development Regulations implement the policies of the Comprehensive Plan with greater detail. Matters pertaining to long-range goals, objectives and policies, development review, concurrency, and subdivision of land fall within the purview of this division. In addition, the P&CD serves as staff to the Gadsden County Planning Commission, also known as the Local Planning Agency, and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for land development processes. Staff also provides GIS mapping data analysis services to external agencies and internal departments. The Department also coordinates with regional and state agencies on land use, transportation, environmental and economic issues.

The Community Development division manages housing-related initiatives to ensure the availability of affordable housing to extremely low to moderate-income persons through public and private partnerships. This division is responsible for the administration of the SHIP Program and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Program. Community Development also handles all Brownfields projects and grant monies as awarded from the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, our Community Development staff serves as a liaison to Gadsden Express.

Attention to all customers:
No permits will be issued after 4:00 P.M.
Drop-offs are welcome.