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GRLDC
2025 Objectives

Strategic initiatives to address housing barriers and accelerate home development across Georgia

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1. Stormwater Regulation Reform

Stormwater regulations are causing development companies in Georgia to routinely lose 20% to 30% of lots between zoning and permitting, preventing unnecessary loss of needed lots during the permitting process. This loss reduces the value of Georgia landowners' property. It also causes some deals to be terminated which further reduces the number of houses which Georgians may buy. For projects that do get developed, the sales prices are unnecessarily high because of these increased development costs.

Our Ask:

Currently fact finding to develop strategy. Upcoming meetings with lobbyists and officials at Federal and State level will help us refine our ask.

GRLDC is pursuing the following:

  • 1
    Create template modelled after Utah's legislation aligning with Clean Water Act standards
  • 2
    Seek rollback of 2016 Georgia stormwater manual requirements
  • 3
    GRLDC is working at the state level to broaden definitions within the waiver process to include (1) financial hardship and how defined & (2) any treatment which cannot be contained within traditional detention shall qualify for the waiver
  • 4
    GRLDC has the ear of state lawmakers to assist in that effort

Additional Details:

  • Ga. 2026 Storm Water Management Manual was created to comply with Federal standards regarding NPDES and TMDL standards within the Clean Water Act
  • The GRLDC is working to change the underlying rules/laws which are increasing costs to Georgia home buyers
2. Zoning Application Reforms

The requirements many municipalities enforce creates too much risks for rezoning applicants. Zonings should be granted based on information municipalities have on hand; tax plats, I D numbers, etc.. The current requirements create a barrier to entry for small business people. It also harms marketability of some land owned by Georgians. It also limits the number of building lots and homes from which Georgians can buy.

GRLDC is pursuing the following:

  • 1
    Limit upfront requirements for rezoning applications: Boundary surveys are unnecessary, Hydrology reports are unnecessary, Specimen tree requirements should be removed altogether, Traffic studies should not be required
  • 2
    Remove net density calculations - All density should be calculated against total acreage. When minimum lot size makes density impossible, density prevails with no need for variances
  • 3
    Set deadlines: 60 days for planning/zoning review and 90 days for final decision. Applicant may request deferrals
  • 4
    Zoning automatically approved for projects which comply with Future Land Use Map (FLUM)
  • 5
    DRI's which receive ARC approval are automatically approved. The municipality may contest the findings of the ARC. GRLDC will design that Municipal Challenge Procedure and limit it to 90 days after ARC approval
3. Final Plat Acceleration

Georgia homebuyers do not have many homes from which to choose. Accelerating the approval process will bring more homes to market faster which will provide Georgians more options and help drive down sales prices.

GRLDC is pursuing the following:

  • 1
    Advocate for third-party inspections to expedite plat recordings. Home Builders Association of Georgia has already won builders the ability to use private inspectors for houses. We are asking to use that same logic for development
  • 2
    Final plats must be recorded within 14 calendar days of final field inspection. No public meetings are required to approve a final plat
  • 3
    Utility installation is not required for final plat as long as developer provides paid receipts to the utility companies. Utility companies are regulated so state has authority over them
4. Bonding Reform

Current bond policies limit the number of homes which can be brought to market in Georgia. Only large homebuilding companies can afford the bonds in many municipalities. Current bond policies create a barrier to entry for Georgia's small business people who would bring more homes to market. The end result is fewer lots being developed causing increased prices to Georgia homebuyers.

GRLDC is pursuing the following:

  • 1
    Cap bonds at 25% of cost and limit term to 24 months
  • 2
    Surety bonds are acceptable
  • 3
    No cash bonds may be required
5. Home Permits Pre-Plat Recording

Georgia has a "right now" housing crisis; lack of inventory generally and lack of affordable inventory specifically. This change could allow vertical construction to begin several month's earlier than the current process. This change would ensure more homes brought to market faster.

GRLDC is pursuing the following:

  • 1
    Allow builders to obtain home permits with metes and bounds descriptions, even before plat recording
6. Future Municipal Approach

The GRLDC is pursuing right now solutions to right now issues. GRLDC needs a standing committee to work with municipal officials and potentially ARC, to develop standards which ensure we all work towards affordable homes being available to all Georgians.

GRLDC is pursuing the following:

  • 1
    Consider a multi-year agenda: 12-month, 24-month, and long-term goals
  • 2
    Emphasize the need for professional, not political, processes in zoning and development at the municipal level
  • 3
    Develop standing committee to be the liaison between GRLDC and municipal decision makers

Expected Impact

20-30%

Reduction in lot losses during development process

Months

Faster approval processes and market delivery

Lower

Housing costs for Georgia families

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