The city maintains a five-member municipal planning commission in accordance with the Tennessee Code Annotated. Most recent annexations include the Southeastern part of Savannah and areas on both sides of Highway 64 on the east side of the city. In addition to zoning and annexation, the commission has been very active in codes enforcement. In 1998, the City Planning Office and the Codes Enforcement Office were combined to create the Community Development Office. In 1999, the city provided input into the Hardin County 20-year Growth Plan which provides a framework for municipal boundary changes and incorporations, public services, preservation of undeveloped areas, and local government grant, loan and tax revenues.
Community Development is comprised of two major areas, those being Zoning and Codes Enforcement.