Planning Information

In July of 1999, the Richmond County Board of Commissioners appointed a 20 member Land Use Planning Committee to investigate the land use needs for the County.  This Committee met constantly for a one-year period and produced the Richmond County Strategic Land Use Plan, 2000.  From this strong beginning, land use planning is becoming an integral part of Richmond County's future.  Along with Economic Development, Land Use Planning issues are an important thread in the fabric that makes up the Richmond County way of Life.  The purpose of understanding the many different land uses in Richmond County is to set up methods and processes to protect the rural character of our land as well as encourage good, sound, and balance growth.

From this tremendous start, the County proceeded in the appointment of a Planning Board to begin reviewing the many land development ordinances that currently existed.  These ordinances included the Subdivision, Floodplain, Watershed, Manufactured Home and Park, and the Airport Hazard Ordinance.  Through the review of these ordinances, the Planning board began to understand the complexity and importance of such tools to protect the heritage of Richmond County while promoting new growth.

After reviewing and revising the existing land development tools to work in a more harmonizing manner, the Planning Board set its eyes on a countywide zoning ordinance.  Over a year’s worth of meetings with county citizens and leaders led to the adoption of Richmond County’s first county wide zoning ordinance in 2003.  These land use development tools, along with the Planning board’s keen understanding of the issues that face Richmond County, continue to shape the future of our homeland.