Design Review

This model unified development code developed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs addresses design review (§9-2). It establishes a design review process; provisions address the purpose and intent of the ordinance, the establishment and authority of the design review board, definitions, application requirements and the review process, appeals, and enforcement. A separate document provides commentary for the section.

Farmland Protection | Food Systems

This model unified development code developed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs addresses agricultural lands in three different ways: the designation of agricultural lands (§7.1), an agricultural use notice and waiver (§7.2), and agricultural buffer requirements (§7.3). A Commentary document provides further information on these tools.

Form-Based Zoning

This model unified development code includes a template to help cities and counties of Georgia implement their own form-based code to regulate development (§9-5). It includes a regulating plan, use provisions, and a set of requirements that relate to the regulation of building, streets, streetscape, parking, architecture and open space. 

Residential Infill Development

This model unified development code provides a template to help cities and counties in Georgia draft regulations for residential infill development (§7-9). Model provisions address intent, definitions, enabling residential infill overlays, general provisions, permitted uses, lot requirements, flag lots, dwelling height and width, build-to lines and setbacks, design requirements, and appeals.

Scenic View Protection

This model unified development code provides a template to help communities in Georgia draft and adopt scenic corridor overlays (§7-7). It contains the following provisions: scenic corridor designation; application and exception; setbacks, buffers, trees, and landscaping; and provisions regarding buildings and structures. A supplementary commentary document discusses steps and options for scenic corridor overlay implementation. Additional commentary provides further guidance on implementing scenic corridor protection.

Zoning Reform and Code Writing

This model unified development code provides a template to help cities and counties in Georgia draft land-use and development regulations. It includes 10 parts: a standard ordinance template; regulations implementing rules for environmental planning criteria; environmental protection; subdivisions and land development; performance-based regulations that do not use a map; use-based restrictions that do not use a map; mapped approaches to land-use regulation; special growth management techniques; regulations to implement character areas; and procedures, boards and commissions. Not all sections are intended to be used simultaneously in the same code. It also includes a basic starter code to comply with minimum state requirements, a hazard mitigation supplement, user guide, and commentary for all sections.