About Us

Planning and Development Services is comprised of the Inspections and Planning divisions. It is a City of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County department administered by the City of Winston-Salem.

Planning Division

The Planning Division is a joint City-County agency serving Winston-Salem and unincorporated Forsyth County as well as the smaller municipalities of Bethania, Tobaccoville, and Rural Hall. Our staff has expertise in:

  • Economic development
  • Environmental protection
  • Historic preservation
  • Land use planning
  • Neighborhood revitalization
  • Transportation planning
  • Other issues affecting the growth of our community

Staff provides the data, information and professional recommendations regarding land use issues and other planning policy questions to the City-County Planning Board and elected boards to help them make informed recommendations and decisions.

City-County Planning Board

The Planning Board was established by a special act of the North Carolina General Assembly in 1948 to provide consolidated planning services to the City of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. As such, it is the oldest consolidated City-County agency in North Carolina. The Board is served by Planning staff which also functions as an administrative department of City and County governments.

Planning Board meetings are played on WSTV 13 at 10 a.m. on the 2nd Friday and at 4 p.m. on the 2nd Sunday of the month.

Inspections Division

The Inspections Division is a joint City-County agency serving Winston-Salem and unincorporated Forsyth County as well as the smaller municipalities of:

  • Bethania
  • Clemmons
  • Lewisville
  • Rural Hall
  • Tobaccoville
  • Walkertown

Our staff works to ensure all new construction and alterations and/or repairs to existing buildings are properly permitted and constructed in compliance with the State of North Carolina adopted building codes and locally adopted development regulations.

Additionally, our staff provides staff support and administers applications to the Zoning Boards of Adjustment of Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, Clemmons, and Lewisville. Functions of the Zoning Boards of Adjustment include hearing requests for Special Use Permits, variances, appeals, and interpretations.