The Direct Answer: As of January 2026, Anderson County has officially adopted Part 1 of its 2026 Comprehensive Plan, a vision document managing growth for the next decade. Key changes include a prohibition on lot mass grading (clearing more than 15 lots at once), new traffic intensity standards that link subdivision approval to road capacity, and a push for "missing middle" housing to address the workforce housing shortage.

1. The City vs. County: Two Plans, One Goal

While they share a name, the City and County plans serve different purposes.

• City of Anderson: In April 2025, the City adopted its plan alongside a new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). This "rulebook" combines all zoning, subdivision, and sign ordinances into one regulatory section to ensure infill development matches the "Plan This City" vision.

• Anderson County: The 2026 County Comprehensive Plan focuses on managing rapid growth in unincorporated areas. It introduces a Future Land Use Map with "character areas" to guide rezoning decisions and protect rural lands from suburban sprawl.

2. Targeting the "Missing Middle"

Both plans highlight a critical shortage of workforce housing. Developers have historically focused on high-end or retirement markets, pricing out many locals.

• The Strategy: The plan encourages missing middle housing—types like duplexes, cottage courts, and townhomes that fit the scale of single-family neighborhoods but offer higher density.

• The Goal: To provide diverse housing options for aging residents, young professionals, and moderate-income households without clear-cutting more rural acreage.

3. The End of "Violent Terraforming": New Grading Rules

One of the most significant 2026 changes is the Subdivision Minimal Disturbance and Tree Preservation Ordinance.

• Prohibition of Mass Grading: Developers can no longer clear-cut and flatten vast tracts of land. Disturbances are now capped at 20 acres per phase, and lot grading is limited to 15 concurrent lots.

• Site Fingerprinting: New rules require builders to adapt structures to the land's natural contours rather than "beating the earth into submission".

• Tree Preservation: A Tree Preservation Plan is now required before work begins, with developers earning "density units" for preserving Specimen Trees (broad-leaved trees with a diameter of at least 12 inches).

4. Traffic & Infrastructure: The "Road Capacity" Test

New developments in 2026 must now harmonize with the county’s asphalt.

• Level-of-Service Requirements: A new ordinance sets hard limits on Average Daily Trips for roads. For example, a minor local road is now capped at 500 trips.

• Developer Choice: If a project clogs existing arteries, developers must scale back the project or pay to upgrade the road themselves.

Quick Look: 2026 Zoning & Housing Changes

How These Plans Affect Your Move

If you are buying or selling in 2026, these maps are your "cheat code".

• Buyers: The Future Land Use Map tells you if that quiet field behind your dream home is tagged for "Residential Agricultural" or "Commercial Mixed-Use".

• Sellers: New density incentives for developers who preserve open space could make your large tract of land even more valuable to a builder committed to the new standards.

Ready to see what the 10-year plan says about your neighborhood?

I can help you navigate the 2036 Future Land Use Map to ensure your investment is protected by the city and county's long-term vision.