Application & Fees

Applications

Sign Applications

Application for a permit to erect or otherwise post a sign in the City of Valdosta.

Rezoning

Applications may be submitted by property owners requesting to change the zoning of their property. Applications are sent to the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission for recommendation and the Valdosta City Council for final decision.

Conditional Use Permit

Conditional Use Application

Certain uses within the City of Valdosta Zoning Ordinance require additional approval from the City Council. Applications are sent to the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission for recommendation and the Valdosta City Council for final decision.

Variance

Variance Application

In cases of verified hardship, property owners may request a variance to the City's development standards. These applications are decided on by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Administrative Variance

Administrative Variance Application

In specific circumstances, Administrative Variances may be approved. These applications are reviewed by the relevant departments with final approval determined by the Planning and Zoning Administrator

Application Fees

Application fees vary depending on the request and certified mail costs. View the current Fee Schedule for the Planning and Zoning Division.

Application Process

The Planning and Zoning Division processes all of the above applications on a monthly basis. Annexation, Rezoning, and Conditional Use applications are heard by the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC) and the Valdosta City Council. Variance applications are heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBOA). Prior to the presentation of the application at the respective governing body, the various City departments have opportunity to provide comments. This ensures a complete review and that all possible issues are identified early. These applications typically take 45-60 days to reach the final action.

Certificate of Appropriateness Applications are decided by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). These applications typically take 30 days to reach the final action.

Application Deadlines

All applications, with the exception of the HPC applications (Certificate of Appropriateness or Administrative Review and Approval), must be submitted by the 25th of each month, or the business day prior in case of a weekend or holiday. These cases are considered by the appropriate body approximately 4-5 weeks after the deadline date on which they were received. This time frame allows for legal advertisement of the cases, notification of adjacent property owners by certified mail, and posting of public notice signs on the property.

HPC Certificate of Appropriateness applications must be submitted by the 15th of each month, or the next business day if the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday. These cases are heard by the HPC the first Monday of the following month. This time frame allows for legal posting of public notice signs on the property. There is no deadline for submitting HPC Administrative Review and Approval applications; however, the HPC Administrator is allowed up to three (3) business days to decide on the application.