The Planning Bureau provides professional land-use and strategic planning services to Augusta residents, taxpayers, City Council, city staff, Planning Board, and Historic Preservation Commission, so that physical changes in the built environment reflect to the largest degree possible, Augusta's aspirations and economic capacity.

The Bureau of Planning coordinates the City's efforts to manage Augusta's growth through long-range planning and regulation of land development through zoning and subdivision regulations as defined in the municipal ordinances. Requests for rezoning, subdivisions and special exemptions are processed through this Bureau, administratively by staff and in review and approval by the City's Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.