Welcome to the Forsyth County Department of Planning and Development’s Web site. The department’s mission is to develop partnerships with all members of the community in an effort to provide valuable planning and development services that promote quality development and help create communities that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

The following descriptions will assist you in navigating the Department of Planning and Development’s Web pages.

Current Planning Division
The Current Planning Division is responsible for everything relating to the implementation of and proposed changes to, the Unified Development Code (UDC), the Sign Ordinance, and the Tree Ordinance. The division also provides staff support for both the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) by processing all public hearing applications (e.g. rezonings, conditional use permits, variances, etc.). Links can be found submittal deadlines, fee schedules, and for public hearing meeting agendas, minutes, and streaming video. The division is also responsible for processing land development plans and plats (i.e. land disturbance permits, subdivision plats, etc.). This page also includes links to the county’s new online eStatus application and permit tracking system.

Long Range Planning Division
The Long Range Planning Division is responsible for overseeing policy and code changes as reflected in the Forsyth County Comprehensive Plan and the Unified Development Code. This page includes links to the Forsyth County Comprehensive Plan (2004-2025) that contains the Future Land Use (FLU) map and any proposed changes to these documents as well as other county master plans. The page also includes information on various long-range special projects (e.g. Livable Centers Initiative (LCI), Design Program Initiative) and links to various planning-related organizations (e.g. DCA, GRTA, ARC, etc.)

Building Inspection Division
The Building Inspection Division is responsible for enforcement of building codes to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the general public. This page includes an informational brochure and a link to MOBILEHWY, the county’s Online Building Permits and Inspections Scheduling and Tracking System.

Business License Division
The Business License Division handles the issuance and renewal of business licenses and business registrations for any person, business, trade, profession or occupation in the unincorporated areas of Forsyth County. This page will include all business license applications, links to the adult entertainment ordinance and door-to-door peddlers ordinance.

Building Permit Division
The Building Permit Division is responsible for processing all building permits as well as scheduling all building permit inspections. This page includes all residential and commercial building permit applications (i.e. plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits), affidavits and bankcard transaction forms.