---
title: Duluth UDC § 1111.02 — Duluth
jurisdiction: duluth
governing_jurisdiction: Duluth
source_url: "https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf"
effective_date: "2026-07-13"
as_of: "2026-08-13"
canonical: "https://www.gwindex.net/code/duluth/1111.02"
licence: "CC0-1.0"
---

# Duluth UDC § 1111.02

Development Permit

**Governing jurisdiction: Duluth.** A "Duluth, GA" mailing address is usually NOT in the City of Duluth. Unincorporated Gwinnett is 67.3% of the county's land area and is governed by a different code, a different board and a different permit portal. Resolve the governing jurisdiction before answering any zoning question.


- **Article:** 11 — Procedures and Permits
- **Pages in source:** 309
- **Adopted:** 2025-09-08
- **Amended through:** 2026-07-13
- **Source:** https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf

## Text

1. Development Activities Authorized. A Development Permit shall be issued to authorize all activities
associated with the land development process, including clearing and grubbing, grading, for the
construction of such improvements as streets, surface parking areas and drives, sewer systems,
stormwater drainage facilities, sidewalks, or related structures permanently placed on or in the property.
Grading for building and structures requiring a building permit is not authorized under a Development
Permit. Clearing, grubbing and grading inside the rights-of- way and utility easements is not allowed by a
Development Permit unless in compliance with Section 1111. Water and sanitary sewer system
improvements shall be authorized solely by the Gwinnett County Public Utilities Department.
2. Development Permit Approval. A development permit (which may include grading, clearing, and grubbing)
shall be issued at the developer's request following approval of a Metropolitan River Protection Act
Certificate, if applicable, and upon approval of a Preliminary Plat for a subdivision or a Site Plan for a non-
subdivision project, along with approval of all other development plans and documents required to be
submitted under this Article. All plans approved for a development permit shall expire after six months
applicant may apply for a single renewal of six additional months.
3. Expiration of Development Permits. A development permit shall expire 12 consecutive calendar months
after issuance unless development activity as authorized by the permit commences within said 12-month
period or if such authorized activities lapse and the project is abandoned for a period exceeding 30
consecutive calendar days. The Planning and Development Director may approve one extension not
exceeding three consecutive calendar months within which time development activity must commence or
the permit shall expire. Said extension shall be applied for within the first 12 consecutive calendar months
after the permit's issuance.
4. Lapse in Construction Activity. For the purposes of this Development Code, a lapse in or suspension of
development activity as authorized by a development permit, as a direct result of action or inaction on
the part of the City of Duluth completely beyond the control of the developer, shall not be considered as a
lapse in activity causing the development permit to expire. The 12 months within which development
activity must begin shall exclude any such time period during which the activity is prohibited or has been
caused to lapse by said City action or inaction.
5. Expiration of Approved Development Plans.
a. If construction activity has not commenced within the permit period and the Development

Permit expires, the Director shall require new site plans to be submitted for the project. The new
plans must comply with any changes or amendments to these regulations, the Zoning Ordinance,
or other ordinances as adopted by the City.