COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Function
The mission of the Community Development Department is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of
the citizens in their residences, as well as in all commercial and public buildings and to provide
assistance to the public with building, development and zoning related matters. The Community
Development Department contains four divisions consisting of Planning and Zoning, Building Permits
and Inspections, Code Enforcement (property maintenance) and Business Licensing (occupational
taxation and privilege licensing). Under the direction of the Community Development Director, this
department has as its primary function, the administration and enforcement of the City’s building,
plumbing, mechanical, electrical, sign, property maintenance, zoning and other development codes. For
new construction and alterations, the department issues all necessary permits, examines all plans,
coordinates plan reviews with other departments and checks for compliance with building and zoning
codes.
The Code Enforcement division inspects properties routinely on a complaint driven basis for code
violations including abandoned and inoperative vehicles, sign regulations, short-term rentals and
unkempt yards (such as tall grass or weeds, trash and litter and exterior accumulation of personal
property).
The Planning & Zoning division handles all the City’s short-range (zoning) and long-range planning
(comprehensive community planning). The Planning and Zoning division processes all requests
associated with the zoning of property as well as variances from the City’s Code of Ordinances. In
addition to zoning issues, this division processes sign permits, property platting, property due diligence
requests, special land use permits, and tree removal permits. In addition, the Planning and Zoning
division manages the City’s GIS system my managing all the mapping needs for the public and other city
departments.
The Business License division is responsible for issuing and renewal of all business and alcohol related
licenses.
All divisions within Community Development work internally together as well as with other departments
to help promote a high quality of living within the city.
Major Goals & Objectives
• Continue to provide assistance on planning, zoning, building, business licensing and property
maintenance issues to the general public.
• Continue to encourage high quality development through rational, thoughtful and realistic
decision making.
• Continue to provide assistance in the development of public improvements in Downtown
Smyrna.
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