The Unified Land Development Code (ulDC) was adopted by the Board of Commissioners on September 15, 2009 and amended in 2010. The ULDC replaces Chapters 3-6 through 3-11 of the Henry County Code of Ordinances.

In 2010, the ulDC became accessible via MuniCode as “Appendix A” and multiple ordinance amendments have been approved by the Board of Commissioners since that time.  For a hard copy of the current ulDC document, please contact our offices at (770) 288-7526

• Table of Contents
• Chapter 1 - General Provisions: Establishes the purpose of the ulDC, and addresses the Conversion of previous zoning districts and documents adopted by reference like the Official Zoning Map, Building/Construction Codes, etc.
• Chapter 2 - Zoning Districts: Provides minimum setbacks, lot size, permitted land and building uses, in accordance with the Henry County land use plan.
• Chapter 3 - Protection of Natural Features and Resources: Provides protection for the natural features and natural resources like floodplain, watersheds, wetlands, groundwater, river corridors, and open spaces.
• Chapter 4 - Site Design Standards: Provides site design and development standards applicable to public and private development activity, including permitted locations, height, bulk, and size of buildings and other structures.
• Chapter 5 - Landscaping, Buffers and Tree Protection: Provides requirements for the landscaping and buffering of developments and for the protection of existing trees in all zoning districts.
• Chapter 6 - Alternative Site Design Standards: Provides flexibility, creativity, and innovation in site design.
• Chapter 7 - Standards for Accessory and Temporary Uses: Provides guidelines for fencing, Accessory Structure/Dwelling Standards, Signage and Wireless Communication Facilities (WCF-cell towers)
• Chapter 8 - Infrastructure Improvements: Establishes standards and requirements for the transportation system, streets, sidewalks, parking, streetlights, and clear visibility at intersections.
• Chapter 9 - Activity Center Overlay District Provides specific guidelines for the Activity Center Master Planning Process.
• Chapter 10 - Boards and Committees: Provides overview of the departments, boards, and commissions that have been are established for the purpose of implementing the provisions of the ulDC.
• Chapter 11 - Variations: Provides mechanisms for obtaining relief from the provisions of this ulDC where hardship would otherwise occur.
• Chapter 12 - Administrative Procedures: Provides appeals processes and procedures for receiving, reviewing, and rendering decisions on applications for all development and permits.
• Appendix A - Master list of Acronyms and Definitions: ulDC/Zoning definitions
• Appendix B - Administration of Building and Technical Codes: Includes Building, Gas, Mechanical Plumbing, Electrical and the One and Two-Family Dwelling Codes, referred to as the "Technical Codes."

To submit questions about the ULDC, please contact us.

2040 Joint Henry County/Cities Comprehensive Plan

Download 2040 Comprehenssive Plan Update

Many people refer to the Comprehensive Plan as the Land Use Plan.

A large part of our responsibility to the public is to educate and inform the public about the nature and process of Comprehensive Planning as well as the State and local requirements for the Comprehensive Plan. The following comments and website links should help with our understanding of the nature of the Comprehensive Plan. Some of the following descriptions have been taken from Rules of Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Chapter 110-12-1, Minimum Standards and Procedures for Local Comprehensive Planning.

Henry County has decided to carry out this plan jointly with the cities of Hampton, Locust Grove, and McDonough. The Comprehensive Plan will serve as the official long-range policy for guiding future decisions concerning land use, zoning, and public facilities for Henry County and its municipalities.

What we commonly refer to as the Land Use Plan is not the Comprehensive Plan. The Land Use Plan is but one of many elements of the Comprehensive Plan.

No. The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) is a graphic expression of the Land Use Plan, and is one of many mapped elements of it. It is not the Plan itself. The Land Use Plan includes a set of policy statements or goals about the way we would like to grow in the future that will guide the way we make decisions about land uses. Each local government must address existing and future land uses that are located within the jurisdiction of the local government. The Land Use Plan must include consideration of any designated or nominated Regionally Important Resource wholly or partially within the local government jurisdiction. The local government must also address areas that are likely to be undergoing any jurisdictional boundary changes within the planning period, if any. Municipalities are strongly encouraged to plan land uses for areas that are or may be reasonably expected to become part of the municipal limits during the next ten (10) years.

The Vision for the Future of the Community is included in the Comprehensive Plan. The Community Vision is intended to portray a complete picture of what the community desires to become based upon public input, the assessment of current and future needs, and coordination with other elements of the plan. The Vision should generate pride and enthusiasm about the future of the community, and identify how the Community Vision addresses Community, Regional and State Planning Goals and Objectives.

To the extent practicable, the local government should seek to develop implementation strategies that address more than one goal or objective. For example, encouraging more compact urban development can address more efficient use of existing infrastructure, while at the same time addressing preservation of open space.

For more information, or if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please contact Planning & Zoning at (770) 288-7526.

The functions of the Long Range Planning Division of the Planning and Zoning Department relate to the long range quality growth and development of the County. Its activities include the preparation and maintenance of the County's Comprehensive Plan; updating and implementing zoning and land-use planning related policies, ordinances, and amendments to the Comprehensive Plan; updating the Short Term Work Plan for the County and the City of Stockbridge; and developing the Capital Improvements Element and Impact Fee sections of the Henry County's Financial Reports; as well as developing a Solid Waste Management Plan that meets the State of Georgia Department of Community Affairs local planning requirements for Qualified Local Government Status. Other activities involve, coordination with the Atlanta Regional Commission, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, other agencies, and municipalities, Small Area Plans and Studiesand managing projects, monitoring changes in demographic and economic data, and other related information and activity within Henry County.

• Population and Demographics Quick Facts (PDF)
• Short Term Work Program and Capital Improvements Element: 2006-2010 (PDF)
• Draft Henry County STWP Update 2007-2011 (PDF)
• Long Range Processes (PDF)

The Solid Waste Management Plan is intended to provide a framework to facilitate and encourage integrated, comprehensive solid waste management planning at the local, multi-jurisdictional, and regional levels. A comprehensive solid waste management assists communities in meeting the statewide goal of reducing waste, providing for effective solid waste management, and ensuring ten years of collection capacity and disposal capacity.

Solid Waste Management Rules of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Chapter 110-4-3: the Minimum Standards and Procedures are designed to promote and reinforce the link between solid waste plans, the Solid Waste Annual Survey and Full Cost Report, and solid waste grants, loans, and facility permits. All solid waste management plans must include the following planning elements: waste disposal stream analysis; waste reduction; collection; disposal; land limitation; education and public involvement; and an implementation schedule. Specifically, the plan shall address the following: an adequate collection and disposal capacity; enumerate the solid waste handling facilities as to size and type; and identify those sites which are not suitable for solid waste handling faculties based on environmental and land use factor.

All local governments are required to complete an update to the "approved" Solid Waste Management Plan at least once every ten years. In addition, if any significant solid waste facility or program changes occur, an update to the Plan should be initiated to encompass the resultant actions that a major change in facilities or programs will create.

Henry County's current Solid Waste Management Plan was prepared by W.L. Jorden & Company, and approved on May 15, 1992. Then, it was revised by Henry County's Department of Solid Waste and Department of Community Development on December 23, 1994. A five year update to the Joint Henry County/Cities SWMP was completed in 2004 and adopted by Henry County and the Cities of Hampton, Locust Grove, McDonough and Stockbridge in 2005.

County & Cities Joint Solid Waste Management Plan

The Planning & Zoning Department is pleased to present the Joint Henry County/Cities Solid Waste Management Plan: 2008-2018 (SWMP) and Solid Waste Management Plan 2008-2018 Implementation Plan. Download the entire document in Adobe PDF format (2.4MB).

SWMP Survey

Solid Waste Management Plan Survey Results:

• Overall Summary Results
• Hampton Results
• Locust Grove Results
• McDonough Results
• Stockbridge Results

Helpful links

Below are some helpful links relating to the Solid Waste Management Plan:

• Georgia Solid Waste Planning Standards & Procedures (PDF)
• New Programs to Consider: "Pay As You Throw"
• SWMP Advisory Committee

A public hearing was held on Tuesday, March 20th at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the adoption of the map/plan. You may download the plans here:

• Henry County Redevelopment Plan
• Proposed Redevelopment Area Map

• Download Comprehensive Transportation Plan

• Download the short term work program and capital improvements element annual update

• Click here to be taken to the Highway Corridor Overlay District code

• Appeal Application
• Rezoning Application
• Conditional Use Application
• Variance Application
• Modification to Zoning Conditions Application
• ULDC Amendment Application
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment Application
• Administrative Waiver
• Sign Application
• Temporary Special Event Application, Owner Consent Form, and Checklist
• Parcel Information Request (Zoning Verification Request)
• Open Records Request
• Wireless Communications Facility, Conditional Use Application
• Wireless Communications Facility, Administrative Approval Application
• Petition for Street lighting Application
• Film and Televison Permit with Owner Consent Form
• Deannexation Form

• Development of Regional Impact (D.R.I.) Tiers and Development Thresholds

• Current Zoning Map with Streets
• Henry County Future Land Use Map
• GIS

• Comprehensive Plan Amendment Process Chart

• Conditional Use Process Chart

• Rezoning Process Chart

• Variance Process Chart