The board has continued to extend the moratorium in a series of unanimous votes: on February 16, 2026 it approved Resolution 2026-02-002 extending it to March 17, 2026 (4-0); on March 16, 2026 it approved Resolution 2026-03-001 extending it to June 16, 2026 (4-0); and on June 15, 2026 it approved a further extension through July 21, 2026 (5-0).
IssueHabersham Countyunder consideration
Habersham County commissioners repeatedly extend moratorium on large residential plats and certain rezonings
A pause on approving subdivisions of five or more lots and rezonings to residential and planned-development districts has been renewed by the county board every month or two since last fall, most recently through July 21, 2026.
What happens next
No next step has been documented.
At a glance
What this means now
The story
The Habersham County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 on September 15, 2025 to adopt an emergency moratorium halting acceptance of applications for preliminary plat approval on residential developments of five lots or more, and rezonings to the LI-R (residential single family), MI-R (residential multi-family) and PD (planned development) land use districts. Commissioner Tench dissented.
On October 20, 2025 the board voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve a resolution enacting a 'limited moratorium' covering the same preliminary plat applications and rezoning categories, extending the pause to February 17, 2026.
At a December 9, 2025 joint work session with the Planning Commission, the board discussed the moratorium, noting it remained in effect through February 2026.
The board has continued to extend the moratorium in a series of unanimous votes: on February 16, 2026 it approved Resolution 2026-02-002 extending it to March 17, 2026 (4-0); on March 16, 2026 it approved Resolution 2026-03-001 extending it to June 16, 2026 (4-0); and on June 15, 2026 it approved a further extension through July 21, 2026 (5-0).
What happened
How this issue got here
Open any step for its supporting record. A proposal remains labeled as proposed until later evidence establishes an outcome.
Appeared on agendaproposedResolution 2026-06-002 extending the limited moratorium on rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, PD districts and preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more, through July 21, 2026
The proposed resolution extends the limited moratorium through July 21, 2026
+
Resolution 2026-06-002 extending the limited moratorium on rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, PD districts and preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more, through July 21, 2026
The proposed resolution extends the limited moratorium through July 21, 2026
Appeared on agendaproposedResolution extending limited moratorium on preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, and PD land use districts
Consider/Approve Resolution Extending the Limited Moratorium on Acceptance of Applications
For Preliminary Plat Approval for Residential Developments of Five Lots or More and Rezoning to
the Residential Single Family (LI-R), Residential Multi-Family (MI-R), and Planned Development
(PD) Land Use Districts
+
Resolution extending limited moratorium on preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, and PD land use districts
Consider/Approve Resolution Extending the Limited Moratorium on Acceptance of Applications For Preliminary Plat Approval for Residential Developments of Five Lots or More and Rezoning to the Residential Single Family (LI-R), Residential Multi-Family (MI-R), and Planned Development (PD) Land Use Districts
ApprovedconfirmedResolution extending limited moratorium on preliminary plat approvals for developments of five lots or more and on rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, and PD districts
approve the resolution extending the limited moratorium through July 21, 2026.
+
Resolution extending limited moratorium on preliminary plat approvals for developments of five lots or more and on rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, and PD districts
approve the resolution extending the limited moratorium through July 21, 2026.
ApprovedconfirmedResolution 2026-03-001 extending the limited moratorium on preliminary plat applications for residential developments of five lots or more and certain rezonings
Motion by Commissioner Woodall, seconded by Commissioner Mealor, to approve Resolution 2026-03-001
extending the limited moratorium through June 16, 2026, including the additional language read into the
record. Motion carries (4-0).
+
Resolution 2026-03-001 extending the limited moratorium on preliminary plat applications for residential developments of five lots or more and certain rezonings
Motion by Commissioner Woodall, seconded by Commissioner Mealor, to approve Resolution 2026-03-001 extending the limited moratorium through June 16, 2026, including the additional language read into the record. Motion carries (4-0).
Appeared on agendaproposedResolution 2026-03-001 extending moratorium on preliminary plat applications for residential developments of five or more lots and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R and PD districts
Public Hearing on Resolution 2026-03-001 Extending the Limited Moratorium On Acceptance Of
Applications For Preliminary Plat Approval For Residential Developments Of Five Lots Or More
+
Resolution 2026-03-001 extending moratorium on preliminary plat applications for residential developments of five or more lots and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R and PD districts
Public Hearing on Resolution 2026-03-001 Extending the Limited Moratorium On Acceptance Of Applications For Preliminary Plat Approval For Residential Developments Of Five Lots Or More
Appeared on agendaproposedResolution 2026-03-001 extending limited moratorium on rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, PD districts and preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more
extend the limited moratorium currently scheduled to expire on March 17, 2026, through May 19, 2026
+
Resolution 2026-03-001 extending limited moratorium on rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, PD districts and preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more
extend the limited moratorium currently scheduled to expire on March 17, 2026, through May 19, 2026
ApprovedconfirmedResolution 2026-03-001 extending limited moratorium on preliminary plat approvals (5+ lots) and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, and PD districts through June 16, 2026
Motion by Commissioner Woodall, seconded by Commissioner Mealor, to approve Resolution 2026-03-001
extending the limited moratorium through June 16, 2026
+
Resolution 2026-03-001 extending limited moratorium on preliminary plat approvals (5+ lots) and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, and PD districts through June 16, 2026
Motion by Commissioner Woodall, seconded by Commissioner Mealor, to approve Resolution 2026-03-001 extending the limited moratorium through June 16, 2026
ApprovedconfirmedResolution 2026-02-002 extending limited moratorium on preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R and PD districts through March 17, 2026
voted unanimously (4-0) to
approve Resolution 2026-02-002 extending the limited moratorium on the acceptance of applications for
preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more
+
Resolution 2026-02-002 extending limited moratorium on preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R and PD districts through March 17, 2026
voted unanimously (4-0) to approve Resolution 2026-02-002 extending the limited moratorium on the acceptance of applications for preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more
Appeared on agendaproposedLimited moratorium on accepting preliminary plat applications for residential developments of five lots or more and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, and PD land use districts
Discussion of Limited Moratorium on Acceptance of Applications for Preliminary Plat Approval for
Residential Developments of Five Lots or More and Rezoning to the Residential Single Family (LI-R),
Residential Multi Family (MI-R), and Planned Development (PD) Land Use Districts and Possible Extension
of Same
+
Limited moratorium on accepting preliminary plat applications for residential developments of five lots or more and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, and PD land use districts
Discussion of Limited Moratorium on Acceptance of Applications for Preliminary Plat Approval for Residential Developments of Five Lots or More and Rezoning to the Residential Single Family (LI-R), Residential Multi Family (MI-R), and Planned Development (PD) Land Use Districts and Possible Extension of Same
Appeared on agendaproposedExtension of limited moratorium on rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, PD districts and on preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more
To extend the limited moratorium currently in effect, which is scheduled to expire on February
17, 2026, for an additional 30 days through March 17, 2026
+
Extension of limited moratorium on rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, PD districts and on preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more
To extend the limited moratorium currently in effect, which is scheduled to expire on February 17, 2026, for an additional 30 days through March 17, 2026
DiscusseddiscussedCurrent development moratorium in effect through February 2026
The group discussed the current moratorium on new development, which is in effect through February 2026.
+
Current development moratorium in effect through February 2026
The group discussed the current moratorium on new development, which is in effect through February 2026.
Appeared on agendaproposedResolution enacting a limited moratorium on preliminary plat applications for 5+ lot residential developments and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, and PD districts
Resolution Enacting A Limited Moratorium on Acceptance of Applications for Preliminary Plat
Approval for Residential Developments of Five Lots or More and Rezoning to the Residential Single
Family (LI-R), Residential Multi-Family (MI-R), and Planned Development (PD) Land Use Districts
+
Resolution enacting a limited moratorium on preliminary plat applications for 5+ lot residential developments and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, and PD districts
Resolution Enacting A Limited Moratorium on Acceptance of Applications for Preliminary Plat Approval for Residential Developments of Five Lots or More and Rezoning to the Residential Single Family (LI-R), Residential Multi-Family (MI-R), and Planned Development (PD) Land Use Districts
Appeared on agendaproposedResolution extending moratorium on residential rezoning (LI-R, MI-R, PD) and 5+ lot preliminary plat applications to February 17, 2026
To approve a resolution passing a moratorium to suspend the acceptance of
applications for Preliminary plat approvals for residential developments of five or more lots
+
Resolution extending moratorium on residential rezoning (LI-R, MI-R, PD) and 5+ lot preliminary plat applications to February 17, 2026
To approve a resolution passing a moratorium to suspend the acceptance of applications for Preliminary plat approvals for residential developments of five or more lots
ApprovedconfirmedResolution enacting a limited moratorium on preliminary plat approvals for residential developments of five or more lots and on rezoning to LI-R, MI-R and PD land use districts
voted unanimously (5-0) to
approve the resolution of the Habersham County Board of Commissioners enacting a limited moratorium on
+
Resolution enacting a limited moratorium on preliminary plat approvals for residential developments of five or more lots and on rezoning to LI-R, MI-R and PD land use districts
voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the resolution of the Habersham County Board of Commissioners enacting a limited moratorium on
ApprovedconfirmedResolution enacting limited moratorium on preliminary plat approvals and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, PD districts
Motion by Commissioner Mealor, seconded by Commissioner Akins, and voted unanimously (5-0) to
approve the resolution of the Habersham County Board of Commissioners enacting a limited moratorium on
+
Resolution enacting limited moratorium on preliminary plat approvals and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R, PD districts
Motion by Commissioner Mealor, seconded by Commissioner Akins, and voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the resolution of the Habersham County Board of Commissioners enacting a limited moratorium on
ApprovedconfirmedEmergency moratorium resolution on preliminary plat approvals for residential developments of five lots or more and rezonings to LI-R, MI-R and PD districts
Motion by Commissioner Woodall, seconded by Commissioner Harkness to adopt the resolution enacting an
emergency moratorium on the acceptance of applications for preliminary plat approval for residential
developments of five lots or more and rezoning to the residential single family (LI-R), residential multi-family
(MI-R) and planned development (PD) land use districts. Motion carries 4-1 with Commissioner Tench
dissenting.
+
Emergency moratorium resolution on preliminary plat approvals for residential developments of five lots or more and rezonings to LI-R, MI-R and PD districts
Motion by Commissioner Woodall, seconded by Commissioner Harkness to adopt the resolution enacting an emergency moratorium on the acceptance of applications for preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more and rezoning to the residential single family (LI-R), residential multi-family (MI-R) and planned development (PD) land use districts. Motion carries 4-1 with Commissioner Tench dissenting.
ApprovedconfirmedEmergency moratorium on preliminary plat approvals for 5+ lot residential developments and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R and PD districts
Motion by Commissioner Woodall, seconded by Commissioner Harkness to adopt the resolution enacting an emergency moratorium on the acceptance of applications for preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more and rezoning to the residential single family (LI-R), residential multi-family (MI-R) and planned development (PD) land use districts. Motion carries 4-1 with Commissioner Tench dissenting.
+
Emergency moratorium on preliminary plat approvals for 5+ lot residential developments and rezoning to LI-R, MI-R and PD districts
Motion by Commissioner Woodall, seconded by Commissioner Harkness to adopt the resolution enacting an emergency moratorium on the acceptance of applications for preliminary plat approval for residential developments of five lots or more and rezoning to the residential single family (LI-R), residential multi-family (MI-R) and planned development (PD) land use districts. Motion carries 4-1 with Commissioner Tench dissenting.
Research the record