Zoning*

PLANNING BASICS 

Planning Website Resources 
 

Guidelines & Checklist

DeKalb County Short-Term Draft Ordinance 

Ordinance

Please visit the project page: 

Engage DeKalb

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

APPLICATIONS AND FORMS
Workforce Housing Program | Engage DeKalb (dekalbcountyga.gov)

GUIDES AND CHECKLISTS 

Work Force Housing Ordinance 

Ordinance

Municode Link
DeKalb Zoning Ordinance by Articles

• Article 1 - General Requirements
• Article 2 - District Regulations
• Article 3 - Overlay Districts
• Article 4 - Use Regulations
• Article 5 - Site Design and Building Form Regulations
• Article 6 - Parking
• Article 7 - Administration
• Article 8 - Nonconformities
• Article 9 - Definitions

Interactive Map
 

APPLICATIONS AND FORMS
 

Zoning Cycle Summary

Application Submittal Procedure
2025-26 Zoning Calendar

Rezone Application
Special Land Use Permit Application 
Major Modification Application 
Land Use Amendment Application 

Link to all DeKalb County Overlay Regulations (Article 3)
Link to Overlay Maps (Interactive Map)

What are the steps in an overlay district review?

1. Pre-application conference with Staff
2. Submittal of application, site plan, building elevations
3. Commissioner notification (by Staff)
4. (If applicable) Request for citizen review team comments (by Staff)
5. Plan review meeting and revisions if necessary
6. Staff approval of plans elevations

FAQ's

What is the purpose of an Overlay District?
Overlay district regulations and design guidelines are intended to preserve special characteristics of the area or guide development in a desired direction.  Overlay district regulations may establish architectural and design controls or prohibit uses that are considered to be detrimental to the character of a particular area.
Residential infill overlay districts establish a maximum height for new homes or additions to homes.

POINT OF CONTACT FOR OVERLAY DISTRICTS

How do I know when to follow the overlay district regulations or to follow the regulations of the underlying zoning district?  
When there is a conflict between the standards of the overlay district regulations and the standards of the underlying district, the overlay district regulations control.  If there are no overlay district regulations for a particular development characteristic, but there are standards in the underlying zoning district regulations for the same development characteristic, the standards of the underlying zoning district must be met.
 

CALENDAR
2025-26 ZBA Calendar
 

ZBOA APPLICATION
Zoning Board of Appeals Application



 

GUIDES CHECKLISTS AND CALENDARS
2025 Historic Preservation Calendar 

Historic Preservation Commission Appeal Process
Chelsea Heights

Emory Village Overlay 

County Code

APPLICATIONS AND FORMS
Certificate of Appropriateness
Historic District Nomination
Historic Property Nomination

Design Standards & Guidelines
Soapstone Ridge Historic District
Historic Preservation Commission
Historic DeKalb Story Map
Process