The goals for the planning of Fort Payne include:

1. To provide for the orderly growth, revitalization, and redevelopment of the built environment through adopted public policy
2. To uphold the consensus of the public interest and elected officials through all planning documents and decisions
3. To aggressively pursue federal and state funding through a variety of planning and development programs
4. To promote and encourage the use of Smart Growth® principles in planning and development decisions when applicable
5. To provide accurate and current mapping systems to city departments and the general public