Comprehensive Plan Update 2026-2031

The comprehensive plan is the guiding document for creating policies and codes that affect how the City will change, grow, and adapt over the years. A comprehensive plan, sometimes also referred to as a master plan or a general plan, is the foundational document of long-term planning and zoning on Tybee Island. This plan guides growth, including development and redevelopment, in the city.

The comprehensive plan is an essential feature of long-term planning for the City of Tybee Island, as both the process and the documentation for creating a broad, long-term vision for future land uses and the built environment on the island. Our comprehensive plan contains a map of future land uses or character areas for the city, addressing the goals and strategies for that area.

Tybee Island's Comprehensive Plan lays the guiding foundation for the Land Development Code (LDC), the legal tool for implementing the vision of the future contained in the comprehensive plan. In short, the comprehensive plan is the guiding document for land use decisions, while the LDC is the regulations (standards) for development and redevelopment on the island.

Comprehensive planning in Georgia is a state-mandated process where local governments create a long-range, strategic document to guide future growth and development. The comprehensive plan addresses a wide range of community aspects, including land use, transportation, housing, and economic development, to ensure coordinated, sustainable growth that enhances the quality of life for residents. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) sets the rules and provides assistance for this process for the 5-year update.

Coastal Regional Commission (CRC) will be organizing much of the update to ensure it meets state requirements. This remains an opportunity for stakeholders and residents to ensure the plan meets the current needs of the community.