Walton County staff, SwiftGV kick off land development code workshops to streamline permitting

Commissioner Curry opened the session by urging “thoughtful planning and responsible development” that is consistent and transparent, saying Walton County will aim for clarity and predictability as it updates its land development code.

Deputy Director Kelly Schultz and the county's planning team then walked attendees through the BPR packet and a live audience survey used to shape the rewrite. Schultz described the basic one-page application, a notarized compliance affidavit that applicants must sign, and a sequence in which planning reviews setbacks and environmental constraints before the building department issues construction permits.

“Once the BPR is approved, then that goes to the building department for your actual construction permit,” Schultz said, summarizing the two-step process applicants should expect. She also stressed that combined-lot approvals require recording documents with the clerk of court before staff will finalize a permit.

Staff reviewed forms tied to stormwater (master-stormwater compliance letters and three-BMP options for smaller lots), floodplain certifications, and environmental affidavits for turtle lighting, beach mice and White Sands protections. Schultz said many of those requirements apply primarily to properties south of Choctawhatchee Bay.

Schultz also explained a recently changed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) affidavit: Walton County allows an ADU up to 800 square feet (or 75% of the primary dwelling for smaller homes) and the updated form removes a prior restriction that barred ADUs from short-term rentals.

Throughout the session staff flagged common plan-review deficiencies—missing finished-floor elevation, incomplete stormwater grading, parking dimensions, and incorrect legal descriptions—that routinely delay approvals and asked applicants to submit complete packages to avoid resubmittals.

The county closed the recorded portion by urging residents and developers to use pre-application meetings for complex projects and to send follow-up questions to the county planning email so staff can address specific cases after the workshop.