About the Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan is a translation of community values and aspirations into public policy. The Plan includes Goals, Objectives, and Policies intended to guide economic, social, physical, environmental, and fiscal development of the community over the next twenty years. To ensure a unified vision, the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan is a joint document adopted by both the City of Tallahassee and Leon County.

Tallahassee and Leon County jointly developed their first comprehensive plan in 1981. As a result of growth management legislation at the State level, the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan was rewritten in 1990.The Comprehensive Plan is a dynamic document and can be amended on an annual basis. Information concerning the amendment process is available in the Comprehensive Plan Amendments section.

Online Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan is comprised of multiple Elements, each addressing certain aspects of the community. Each Element is made up of aspirational goals, measurable objectives, and strategic policies. Goals are the long-term ends to which programs and activities are ultimately directed. Objectives are specific, measurable, intermediate ends that are achievable and mark progress towards goals. Policies are programs and activities conducted to achieve identified objectives and goals.

The Complete Comprehensive Plan

Download Complete Comprehensive Plan - Please note: The Table of Contents and General Index contained within this PDF of the Complete Comprehensive Plan are for reference only and are not adopted.
Download A Citizen's Guide to the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan

Individual Comprehensive Plan Elements

Table of Contents
Introduction
Land Use Element and Land Use Addendum
Mobility Element
Utilities Element
Conservation Element
Parks and Recreation Element
Housing Element
Historic Preservation Element
Intergovernmental Coordination Element
Capital Improvements Element and Capital Improvements Schedule
Economic Development Element
Public School Facilities Element
Property Rights Element
Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Procedures
Glossary
Comprehensive Plan General Index

DISCLAIMER: This online version of the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan is posted for the convenience of the public. Effort has been made to ensure that the information contained herein is accurate and up-to-date. However, neither the City of Tallahassee nor Leon County provide any guarantee, express or implied, as to the accuracy and/or completeness of the information contained herein; nor shall either the City of Tallahassee or Leon County be liable for any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions, represented by the information contained herein. Furthermore, in no event will the City of Tallahassee or Leon County be liable for any lost profits or any damages, including direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or any other types of damages, arising out of the use of this electronic version of the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan on the Internet.

If you are relying upon the Comprehensive Plan to make a legal decision or a decision regarding purchase of property, you are urged to contact the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department directly and to review an official printed copy of the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan.

Comprehensive Plan Amendments

The Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan is a living and fluid guidance document that is able to be amended on a regular basis. The City of Tallahassee and Leon County have the ability to consider amendments through the small-scale future land use map amendment process and through an annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Cycle for larger or more impactful amendments. The transparent public processes make it easier for citizens to monitor and participate in the public review process and provides for efficient use of staff, outreach, and advertising resources. Information on current and recent amendment cycles is provided below.

Comprehensive Plan Amendment Information and Applications

There are two available processes to amend the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan when revisions are needed and appropriate. A small-scale future land use map amendment process, which is for properties that are 50 acres or less and does not amend the text of the comprehensive plan, is available throughout the year targeted to smaller-scale projects and development. The process for this type of map amendment is a compressed 3-to-4-month review and approval. Larger map amendments and text amendments are received within an application window as part of an annual update which includes several public meetings during which the amendments are considered. For both processes, applicants must address the following 2 items that include the pre-application conference and the threshold requirements for submittal of map amendments. Text amendments require commission initiation to pursue as part of the annual amendment cycle. More detail on both amendment options is found below.

Pre-Application

Prior to submitting a Comprehensive Plan Amendment Application to the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department for either a small-scale future land use map amendment, or a large-scale future land use map or text amendment, the applicant must schedule and attend a mandatory pre-application conference. If you are not sure which process is available for the potential amendment, staff will provide a recommendation prior to or at the pre-application conference. All large-scale amendments must be received prior to the annual cycle deadlines below. You can schedule a pre-application conference by calling the Planning Department at 850-891-6400 or e-mailing planning@talgov.com. An application may not be submitted without a completed pre-application conference form.

Future Land Use Map Amendments

Applicants requesting a future land use map amendment to the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan must:

• Be the owner of the subject property or a legally authorized agent of the owner
• Attend a pre-application conference
• Submit a completed application

Text amendments are addressed under the section below on the 2025 amendment cycle.

Small-Scale Future Land Use Map Amendments (On-going)

Small-Scale Future Land Use Map Amendments (Effective July 25, 2024)
Beginning August 1, 2024, the Planning Department will accept applications for eligible small-scale future land use map amendments throughout the year. To be eligible for a small-scale Future Land Use Map amendment, the area subject to the proposed amendment must be 50 acres or less in size and cannot include text changes to the comprehensive plan. Pre-applications as mentioned above are required prior to application submittal. Please contact Planning staff at 850-891-6400 or at planning@talgov.com to learn more about this process.

Application Deadline
Applications are accepted on a continual basis and once a complete application is received, will be scheduled for processing based on the anticipated posted schedule. The department has 10 workdays to determine if the application is complete and sufficient. Incomplete or insufficient documented applications will not be placed on the available schedule until complete.

• Small-Scale Future Land Use Map Amendment Application Process
• Small-Scale Future Land Use Map Amendment Application
• Tentative Small-Scale Future Land Use Map 2024 Schedule

2025 Annual Large-Scale Future Land Use Map and Text Amendment Cycle

Pre-Application Deadline: Thursday, September 12 (5:00 pm)
Prior to submitting a Comprehensive Plan Amendment Application, you must schedule and attend a mandatory pre-application conference. You can schedule a pre-application conference by calling the Planning Department at 850-891-6400 or e-mail planning@talgov.com. An application may not be submitted without a completed pre-application conference form.

Application Deadline: Friday, September 20 (5:00 pm)
Applications must be complete. Upon submittal, the department has 10 workdays to determine if the application is complete and sufficient. Incomplete or insufficient documented applications will be returned to the applicant. Applications received after the deadline will be scheduled for the next available amendment cycle. If you have any questions regarding the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan annual cycle amendment process, please call the Planning Department at 850-891-6400 or e-mail planning@talgov.com.

All citizen-initiated text amendments must be approved by the City or County commission prior to incorporation into the plan amendment cycle. Staff will coordinate seeking this direction from the Commissions.

2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Application Process and Map/Text Amendment Application Packages
The Comprehensive Plan Amendment Application Packages below includes information on the amendment process, preparing a complete application, the application form, and copies of forms need for several of the required attachments to your application.

• 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Cycle Application Process
• 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Cycle Map Amendment Application
• 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Cycle Text Amendment Application

Comprehensive Plan Amendment Tentative Meeting Schedule
The 2025 Tentative Meeting Schedule includes a community open house, a Local Planning Agency workshop, and public hearings. The Local Planning Agency, City Commission, and Board of County Commissioners appreciate information that would be useful to them in their deliberations on amendment requests.

Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR)

The State of Florida requires local governments to periodically assess the effectiveness of their Comprehensive Plan to adequately address changes in local conditions and changes in the State's policy regarding planning and growth management. The latest EAR was reviewed and approved June 14, 2022 at a joint commission meeting.

Adopted Evaluation and Appraisal Report (PDF)