Long Range Planning
The Long Range Planning Division guides policy development for land use, transportation, housing, economic development, and community services in unincorporated DeKalb County.
Staff lead planning studies, coordinate with regional and state partners, and maintain the County’s adopted plans.
These plans help set priorities, shape growth, and support decision-making by the Board of Commissioners and other public bodies.
Announcements
- The DeKalb County Comprehensive Housing Plan is now underway!
- The DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability Department now uses social media! Follow our Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all things planning!
Division Mission Statement
To advance a long range vision of a livable, equitable, sustainable, beautiful, and prosperous DeKalb County through the implementation of adopted plans, policies, and partnerships.
Adopted Plans
Comprehensive Plan
Establishes a long-term vision for land use, housing, mobility, and community services.
Ongoing Projects
New plans are currently ongoing and accepting public feedback.
Long Range Planning conducts and maintains a variety of studies and reports to inform policy decisions. Example studies may include:
- Housing studies
- Corridor studies
- Small area plans
- Transportation studies
- Demographic Reports
Adopted studies support implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Plan.
Adopted Plans
The Comprehensive Plan guides long-term policy for growth, development, and community services. It includes land use, housing, mobility, economic development, and community facilities components. The plan is adopted by the Board of Commissioners and updated periodically.
2050 Unified Plan Executive Summary
2050 Comprehensive Transportation Plan
2050 Comprehensive Land Use Plan
2050 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map
DeKalb 2050 Unified Plan Project Page
The County participates in regional and state transportation planning efforts. Staff collaborates with ARC, GDOT, and other agencies to secure funding for projects and ensure alignment with long-range goals.
Transportation planning activities may include corridor studies, transit coordination, bicycle and pedestrian planning, regional modeling, and participation in TIP/STIP.
Transportation Plans in DeKalb:
- DeKalb Transit Master Plan
- I-20 East TOD Community Plan
- I-20 East TOD Plan Part 1 of 2
- I-20 East TOD Plan Part 2 of 2
- Kensington Station MARTA Master Plan
- Indian Creek MARTA Master Plan
Transportation Maps:
One of the primary tools to guide development within Activity Centers is through the use of Small Area Plans (SAPs). These plans allow policy makers and the community to guide development, policies, and investments at a much finer level of detail than can be provided in the comprehensive plan.
Created as a way to reduce vehicle miles traveled and improve air quality, the ARC's Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) is a grant program that incentivizes local jurisdictions to re-envision their communities as vibrant, walkable places that offer increased mobility options, encourage healthy lifestyles and provide improved access to jobs and services.
The goal of the DeKalb County Board of Health Master Active Living Plans (MALP) is to improve the integration of physical activity and other healthy behaviors into the daily routines of DeKalb County residents. The Master Active Living Plans are intended to be a proactive, community-based vision and blueprints.
In accordance with the State of Georgia’s Service Delivery Strategy law, local governments are encouraged to keep their SDS accurate and up to date. The purpose of the SDS is to provide an action plan for the County, supported by ordinances and intergovernmental agreements, to resolve land use conflicts. Counties and their municipalities are required to periodically amend/revise the existing SDS so it is always current and reflects the locally preferred delivery method.
Demographic Research and Reports
Public Engagement
Public engagement is an important component of long-range planning. During planning cycles, the County may offer opportunities for residents to provide input through surveys, workshops, or open houses. Engagement opportunities are announced when active.
Engage DeKalb is the Planning & Sustainability Department's community engagement hub. The website shares information about ongoing projects and provides opportunities for engagement through surveys, comments, mapping, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How often is the Comprehensive Plan updated?
A. Comprehensive plans are typically updated every five to ten years, depending on state requirements.
Q. What are some partner organizations that the Long Range Planning division works with when coming up with plans and studies?
A. The Long Range Planning Division works with the following organizations:
Q. Where can I view adopted plans?
A. Plans are available online under Adopted Plans.
Q. How can I find out about the projects that the Long Range Planning Division are working on in my community?
A. All active projects can be found on Engage DeKalb. Monthly updates are also sent through the team's monthly newsletter and social media (Facebook and Instagram). Lastly, we encourage any questions through our email plansustain@dekalbcountyga.gov.
Contact & Hours
Location: 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA
Email: plansustain@dekalbcountyga.gov
Phone: 404-371-2155
One-Stop Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM