Comprehensive Plan

2045 Comprehensive Plan:

The Comprehensive Plan is the guiding document, or “blueprint," for how the County will grow and develop over the next 20+ years. The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is to identify the long-range vision, policy, and goals that will guide the community's future land use decisions and capital investments. Not only are all County, Towns, and Cities within the Commonwealth of Virginia required to have a Comprehensive Plan; it is further required that these Plans be periodically updated. Franklin County’s current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2025 and has a 20-year horizon, looking toward a vision for 2045.

Community input is essential to a Comprehensive Plan. To ensure a healthy amount of active participation, Franklin County offered online and in-person opportunities to share input, ask questions, and have discussion with neighbors; an online survey was provided and public workshops were held in each Election District (seven in total). These opportunities provided residents with a chance to share their perspective on various topics relevant to the Comprehensive Plan. The survey was composed of 30 questions. Most of these focused on policy topics, four were open-ended, and several were demographic questions. To read the results of the public engagement, please click the following link: Public Engagement Summary.  To read the current Comprehensive Plan, please click the link below.

2045 Franklin County Comprehensive Plan

Purpose of Comprehensive Plans

The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is found in the Code of Virginia Section 15.2-2223, which states in part:

  • The Comprehensive Plan shall be general in nature
  • The plan, with accompanying maps, plats, charts, and descriptive matter, shall show the localities long-range recommendations for the general development of the territory covered by the plan.

Comprehensive Plan History

Franklin County's first Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 1975, showed how land within the County was used, recommended how it should be used, provided general guidelines for future development, and an implementation strategy. In 1985, the County updated the Plan and gave particular attention to growth around Smith Mountain Lake. The County adopted another Comprehensive Plan in 1995 and focused this plan on the rural nature of the County changing due to industrial growth and the attraction of Smith Mountain Lake for residential and commercial development.

In preparation of adopting the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, which was ultimately adopted by the Franklin County Board of Supervisors on May 22, 2007, Franklin County undertook several feasibility studies for water and sewer and began to reconsider its future road network, capital improvements plan, and its development standards in general. The 2025 Comprehensive Plan illustrates Franklin County's desire to maintain its rural character and scenic views, as well as to provide new job opportunities for its citizens.