Scottsdale’s Planning and Development Services provides a strategic long-term vision that positively shapes the community. From land-use designations to building inspections, Planning and Development strives to create a safe and resilient community that preserves our desert character and enhances the quality of life for Scottsdale residents.
The department has two main areas of responsibility: the Planning Division establishes the community vision and goals and implements community character through long-range planning, zoning, and design review. Development Services provides plan, building code and fire code review and construction inspections to ensure the public’s health and safety.
Divisions
Long-Range Planning: The policy arm of Planning establishes the community vision, goals and objectives based on data-driven projections (population, land use, fiscal) and community engagement. Long-range planning policy tools include the city’s General Plan and Character Area Plans – strategic forward-thinking guides that address Scottsdale’s physical development and the preservation of natural areas and neighborhoods.
The Long-Range Planning Division includes:
Current Planning: The regulatory arm of Planning reviews development proposals and implements policies through a regulatory framework of zoning ordinances, design guidelines and standards.
Development Services: Reviews construction documents and plans for compliance with building and fire codes, and conducts construction inspections to ensure the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
The Development Services Division includes:
- Plan Review
- Permit Services
- Inspection Services
- Stormwater
- One Stop Shop: provides coordinated reviews, permit issuance, fee collection, communications and centralized service to our customers
Boards and Commissions
Planning and Development proposals and requests are often heard by a designated public body. These bodies may act in an advisory or regulatory capacity.
Planning
- Planning Commission: Reviews, evaluates and determines rezoning requests, General Plan amendments, use permits, abandonments and Municipal Use master site plans. Acts as an advisory board to the City Council on land use and zoning matters.
- Development Review Board: Reviews architectural and urban designs for all development types (except single family homes), establishes design policies and guidelines that support the goals of the General Plan, and has authority to approve, approve with stipulations, or deny development review applications.
- Board of Adjustment: Hears and decides appeals from administrative decisions and variances from the provisions of the zoning ordinance.
- Historic Preservation Commission: Oversees the development and management of Scottsdale's Historic Preservation Program.
- Neighborhood Advisory Commission: Advises and makes recommendations to the City Council on policies, plans, strategies and programs for the preservation, improvement and revitalization of Scottsdale’s neighborhoods.
- Environmental Advisory Commission: Advises the City Council on issues related to the preservation and enhancement of the local environment.
Development Services
- Building Advisory Board of Appeals: May recommend that minor variances in the electrical, plumbing and mechanical application of the Building Code be granted or that alternative construction methods or materials be allowed.
Planning and Development Resources
Scottsdale’s Planning and Development is guided by the following: