Planning Unit

How to Apply for a Permit:

All permit applications must be submitted through the CitizenServe Online Permit Portal. After you submit your application, a Permit Technician will review it for completeness before assigning it to Planner in the Planning Unit. You should allow 10-15 business days for this initial processing and assignment. Once a Planner receives your application, the review typically takes up to three weeks, though current workloads, hearings, holidays, staffing levels, and the volume of applications in queue may affect this timeframe. We process applications in the order they are received, and incomplete applications that require additional information or corrections will naturally take longer to review.

How to Apply for a Planning Application

The Planning Unit also processes Planning Applications, which are distinct from standard permit applications and involve more complex review processes. These applications include several types such as Use Permits, Administrative Reviews, Variances, and Zoning Verifications, among others, and often address matters like policy updates, neighborhood plans, and long-range growth and development proposals that require approval by various Boards and Commissions. Because Planning Applications are diverse and the requirements vary significantly depending on your specific situation, you must schedule a Pre-Planning Meeting before any application will be accepted. This meeting will help determine exactly which type of Planning Application you need. You can find more information about Planning Applications in the Planning Application Section of our website.

Planning Unit Assistance

The Planning Unit staff are available to answer general questions about zoning, permitted uses, density, setback requirements, and permit types by phone or email. For more technical questions requiring staff analysis or discussions exceeding 15 minutes such as those related to rezoning requests, Use Permits, Variances, or Comprehensive Plan amendments – applicants will be asked to schedule a Preliminary Planning Meeting (PPM) through CitizenServe. For more information on Preliminary Planning Meetings and Planning Unit hearing applications, hearing and application types, hearing review times, and scheduling, please visit the Planning Applications tab.