Atlanta Zoning Committee Reviews Zoning 2.0 Draft

The city’s zoning committee is evaluating a massive 981-page proposal to replace the code used since 1982.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration of a structured urban neighborhood grid with brick residential buildings, representing modern zoning planning. — The Atlanta zoning committee is evaluating the proposed Zoning 2.0 code, a comprehensive plan intended to modernize city housing and walkability standards. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should city planners prioritize increasing housing density over protecting the character of established residential neighborhoods?

Atlanta’s zoning committee is currently reviewing the proposed Zoning 2.0 code following a critique presented during an October 15 work session. The massive 981-page document aims to modernize the city's zoning framework.

Why it matters

The proposal is designed to implement Atlanta's Comprehensive Development Plan with a focus on improving walkability and housing affordability. Supporters believe the new code will provide a framework to better support the city's 240 distinct neighborhoods.

The proposed Zoning 2.0 draft spans 981 pages, intended to replace the city's existing code that has been in place since 1982. This new framework aims to govern land use across Atlanta’s 240 distinct neighborhoods.

The details

City officials and community representatives are working through the complex proposal, which is intended to advance goals related to walkability and affordability. The committee previously voted to hold the measure in September to allow for further revisions and public input from neighborhood planning units.

The current zoning code was implemented in 1982.
The zoning committee voted to hold the proposed code in September 2026.
A work session was held by the zoning committee on October 15, 2026.

Political Context

Opponents and community members have expressed caution regarding how the new code will interact with established neighborhood character and historical preservation. While supporters push for modernization, others fear the potential impact on housing stability, especially given that state law prohibits Atlanta from enacting rent control measures.

Residents across Atlanta’s 240 neighborhoods may see significant changes to how property development and land usage are regulated in their local area. These updates will dictate the future growth of the city while remaining subject to state-level restrictions on rent control policies.

The takeaway

The Zoning 2.0 proposal represents the most significant attempt to update city land-use policy in over four decades. Residents should monitor committee meetings to understand how the final draft will balance development goals with existing community infrastructure.