Rockdale County extends residential moratorium to align with Unified Development Ordinance update; first reading begins

The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners voted March 3 to extend a temporary moratorium on certain residential development activities through June 30, 2026, and took the first reading of a text amendment that would repeal and replace the county’s planning and development code with a new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) dated Feb. 24, 2026.

Director White told commissioners the moratorium extension is intended to align the moratorium’s expiration with completion of the UDO update so the county can transition without gaps. “This additional time... will allow us to bring both of those things together later this summer and tackle some of the residential challenges and requests and desires that we’ve heard from the community,” White said.

The ordinance presented for first reading would repeal prior subpart B planning and development provisions and adopt a consolidated UDO, authorizing codification, technical corrections, severability and an effective date; the clerk submitted the item as text amendment case 2026-03 for a first reading. The chair and staff emphasized continued public engagement: the UDO will go to the Planning Commission for public hearings and further review.

Staff highlighted several proposed changes residents may see during the public process, including introduction of a conservation village zoning district, options for tiny-home and cottage-style developments, updated accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules to allow such units on single-family detached lots, and consideration of transitional housing with limits and possible special-use permitting. “We’re considering a conservation village zoning district... we’re also looking at the introduction of tiny home development as a housing option,” White said, noting the county is refining lot and bulk standards and the use table in response to town-hall feedback.

A commissioner asked whether transitional housing would be allowed in residential areas; White said staff are exploring residential allowances and special-use permit processes so the community will have an opportunity to comment. The board approved the first reading and referred the ordinance to the Planning Commission by unanimous vote.

Why it matters: the UDO rewrite and moratorium extension shape zoning rules that determine what housing types are allowed, how neighborhoods are built, and how the county manages growth and land-use transitions. The public hearing process will be the next step for residents to review and comment on recommended zoning districts and use restrictions.

What’s next: the UDO goes to the Planning Commission for hearings and public comment; the moratorium remains in effect through June 30, 2026, to allow staff and the public time to finalize ordinance language.