Walton County holds outreach workshop on land-development code; staff propose SOPs and online checklists
May 20, 2026 | Walton County, Florida
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Walton County development services and partner SwiftGov convened a public workshop to solicit community feedback on the county’s Land Development Code (LDC) and the single‑family home review process. Sabrina Dugan of SwiftGov opened the session and said the outreach is intended to help the county standardize operating procedures and make permitting more predictable.
"We are partners with Walton County’s development services team and BOCC to support standardized operating procedures making things a bit more efficient for the county," Dugan said during opening remarks. Development Services Director Stephen Shenin said the county plans code clarifications and process updates and asked users for concrete examples of ambiguous language.
The session included live surveys (organizers reported more than 500 online participants) and a GIS demonstration showing a planned parcel‑by‑parcel checklist that will link map layers to required forms. Staff said the checklist will identify when a parcel needs items such as stormwater plans, wildlife affidavits or elevation certificates and that planners will still provide one‑on‑one help for users who need it.
Donise Wei, the Building Permit Review manager, ran through the standard BPR packet — application form, compliance affidavit, master stormwater compliance where applicable — and noted recent policy changes to accessory dwelling units (ADUs). "That accessory dwelling unit can be 75% of what that main structure is with a cap of 800 ft² heated and cooled," Wei said, and added that the county now allows ADUs to be used as short‑term rentals subject to affidavit requirements and registration with the short‑term rental program.
Organizers emphasized that some LDC language can be open to interpretation and that inconsistent reviewer responses create uncertainty for builders and applicants. To address that, staff presented draft SOPs, described training for BPR staff and said they will publish a public checklist tied to the GIS mapper. Shenin said the county plans to present the SOPs and an update to the BOCC on July 26.
The workshop closed with a final survey asking what topics remain unclear and a promise to post summarized feedback and planned next steps. Commissioner Drake thanked participants and said the county will continue outreach to improve transparency and predictability in the permitting process.
The county identified next steps including finalizing SOP language, publishing the GIS checklist online and discussing survey results at the July 26 BOCC meeting.
"We are partners with Walton County’s development services team and BOCC to support standardized operating procedures making things a bit more efficient for the county," Dugan said during opening remarks. Development Services Director Stephen Shenin said the county plans code clarifications and process updates and asked users for concrete examples of ambiguous language.
The session included live surveys (organizers reported more than 500 online participants) and a GIS demonstration showing a planned parcel‑by‑parcel checklist that will link map layers to required forms. Staff said the checklist will identify when a parcel needs items such as stormwater plans, wildlife affidavits or elevation certificates and that planners will still provide one‑on‑one help for users who need it.
Donise Wei, the Building Permit Review manager, ran through the standard BPR packet — application form, compliance affidavit, master stormwater compliance where applicable — and noted recent policy changes to accessory dwelling units (ADUs). "That accessory dwelling unit can be 75% of what that main structure is with a cap of 800 ft² heated and cooled," Wei said, and added that the county now allows ADUs to be used as short‑term rentals subject to affidavit requirements and registration with the short‑term rental program.
Organizers emphasized that some LDC language can be open to interpretation and that inconsistent reviewer responses create uncertainty for builders and applicants. To address that, staff presented draft SOPs, described training for BPR staff and said they will publish a public checklist tied to the GIS mapper. Shenin said the county plans to present the SOPs and an update to the BOCC on July 26.
The workshop closed with a final survey asking what topics remain unclear and a promise to post summarized feedback and planned next steps. Commissioner Drake thanked participants and said the county will continue outreach to improve transparency and predictability in the permitting process.
The county identified next steps including finalizing SOP language, publishing the GIS checklist online and discussing survey results at the July 26 BOCC meeting.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
