Land Development

For instructions on scheduling a site inspection or to check the status of an existing site inspection request please see the Site Inspections section on this page below.

Responsibilities

The Planning and Development Department is responsible for review and approval of all land disturbance permits, preliminary plats, and final plats for commercial and residential developments to ensure code compliance. We also review and approve erosion and sedimentation control plans, and performance and maintenance bonds required by code.

About the Process

Once you have made a decision to build within the city limits of Chamblee, you should contact the Planning and Development Department to verify that the property's current zoning will support the type of development you are planning to build. If your project requires the property to be re-platted, re-zoned or any variances or waivers to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), or if it qualifies as a Development of Community Impact (DCI), you will need to set up an appointment for a pre-application meeting to discuss your plans with staff, and then go through the appropriate planning process prior to beginning the development process.

Regulations​

The City's land development and subdivision regulations are contained in Title III of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The purpose of these regulations is to establish procedures and standards for the development and subdivision of land which facilitates the creation of functional neighborhoods enhancing the quality of life for the immediate residents, adjoining neighborhoods, and the city as a whole.

The land development and subdivision regulations seek to accomplish the following goals:
  • Orderly growth and development of new and redeveloped neighborhoods
  • Coordination of streets within proposed neighborhoods with existing or planned streets and other public facilities
  • General distribution of population and traffic in a manner that will avoid congestion and overcrowding
  • Dedication or reservation of parks, public squares, and recreational areas, accessible to all residents to serve as community focal points
  • Set standards for landscaping and detailing of the public domain of streets, parks, and squares to promote a pedestrian-oriented environment and civic awareness
  • Provide for pleasing visual environments to ensure public health, safety, and the general welfare to residents of the city
Land Disturbance Permits
A major Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) is required for all land-disturbing activities in the City not otherwise exempted. Land disturbance associated with a building permit shall require a separate land disturbance permit. However, construction associated with single-family detached residential development that is not part of a larger, multi-parcel development, shall not require a separate land disturbance permit. A minor Land Disturbance Permit may be required in lieu of a full land disturbance permit for all land-disturbing activities under 5,000 square feet. The Planning and Development Director may waive Land Disturbance Permit requirements for land-disturbing activities under 500 square feet.

Land disturbance permits shall meet the application requirements for construction plans located in Chapter 300, Article 4 of the UDO and any other requirements contained on applications and forms provided by the Planning and Development Department.

Subdivisions
Preliminary and Final Plats are approved administratively by the Planning and Development Director, with the exception of Conservation Subdivisions, which require review and approval by City Council.

If your project will require approval of a Rezoning, Development of Community Impact (DCI), Variances, or Waivers, or is a Conservation Subdivision, please see the Zoning page for information on those processes. 

    Applications

    See the Applications and Forms page for submittal information for all land development and subdivision processes.

    Site Inspections

    All requests for inspections must be made through the City's online portal. You will need the permit number and contractor access code to schedule an inspection. For contractors, this will be your contractor license number. For requestors not required to have a license, this will be your business license number. For homeowners doing their own work, this will be the street number in your address. To access the online portal and schedule a required site inspection for a LDP project click here.

    Site inspection requests submitted by 4:00 pm Monday through Friday are generally scheduled for the following business day. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us at (770) 986-5010 or chambleedevelopment@chambleega.gov.

    DeKalb County Fire Marshal Review and Site Inspections

    Site plan review and site inspections for LDPS are performed by DeKalb County Fire Marshal's Division, located at 330 West Ponce de Leon Avenue, 2nd Floor in Decatur, Georgia 30030. For information regarding processes and fees for plan review, call the Fire Marshal Division at (404) 971-6208. All requests for site inspections by DeKalb Fire Marshal Division are scheduled by contacting the DeKalb Fire Marshal's office online at dekalbfmo@dekalbcountyga.gov.

    Development Activity Map

    The Planning and Development Department maintains a map of commercial land development projects that are currently under construction. To access the Development Activity Map, please click on the following link: https://chamblee.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=306af07c54074a438000dc5c04cf7448, or on the image below.

    Development Activity Map