The main responsibility of the Planning and Development Department is to provide professional advice and assistance in matters concerning zoning and development. This Department also plays a key role in the short and long term decisions regarding land use, construction, development, and code enforcement. All this is done with a central focus on creating a positive environment for our citizens and businesses to flourish. 

Planning and Development is often the first step in the permitting process for residential and non-residential additions and new construction.

The Department of Development Services is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the uniform codes and related federal, state, and City-adopted laws and ordinances. This responsibility includes meeting state mandates to assure all structures meet or exceed the minimum life safety standards of the aforementioned codes, laws and ordinances. This division assures these standards by providing organized procedures for the reviewing of plans and specifications, field checking construction projects and investigation of substandard structures for abatement.

Governance 
The Port Wentworth Planning Commission was established to survey and study the existing conditions and probable future developments of the area in order to plan for physical, social and economic growth. The Planning Commission provides input into the Comprehensive Plan, recommends changes to the Port Wentworth Zoning Ordinance and considers subdivision of land and other land use regulations. The Commission reviews and makes recommendations for rezoning, concurrent variances and conditional use permits prior to a hearing held by City Council. The Planning Commission is comprised of Port Wentworth resident volunteers who are appointed by City Council to deal with land and zoning issues.

The Zoning Board of Appeals is established by local ordinance. It conducts public hearings on appeals from decisions of the zoning administrator and considers requests for variances from zoning requirements.