Pre-Application & Plan Submittal Process

Many projects, including commercial and multi-family residential development proposals, begin with a pre-application and plan submittal, which determines the review process. Some of these are required to go through a public hearing process before entitlement is granted. Other projects may be minor and do not go through a public hearing process, but rather a staff approval process.

The main steps in the plan submittal process are:

A Pre-Application (PA) meeting between the applicant and Planning staff will determine the process that is required. The table of the public hearing process provides a general guide of processing based on project type.

Most major projects also require public outreach and hearings as part of the entitlement process. This process, outlined in the table below, specifies the type of hearing a project may require.

Submit the Pre-Application request and pay the application fee online through Scottsdale SPUR, our secure planning and permitting portal. Upload documents to assist Planning staff in evaluating the request so they may provide the best information to you.

Visit Scottsdale SPUR

After the pre-app request is submitted, and determined by staff to be complete, you will receive an invoice and payment link. Staff will then contact you to schedule a pre-application meeting with your assigned planner and other planning staff (typically within one week). This meeting provides the city and the applicant with a more complete understanding of the size, scope, and feasibility of the request. The pre-application meeting is typically 30 minutes to 1-hour in length.

Most major projects also require public outreach. The entitlement process outlined in the table below will determine the specific outreach required.

The formal submittal process begins after the pre-application meeting has occurred. Planning staff will provide direction on the process that applies to your request and make specific links available within SPUR (via the Sub-Records tab) in which to complete your pre-application record.

Submit a plan application per the staff-directed process, using the links provided via the sub-records tab of your pre-application. Upload the checklist requirements provided at your pre-application meeting through Scottsdale SPUR.

After you have uploaded all required documents and submitted your full application, Planning staff will be notified.

Once it has been reviewed and determined to be complete, you will receive an invoice and payment link. Staff will begin formal review of your submittal after payment is received.

If your submittal is determined to be incomplete, you will receive a notification that identifies the items that are missing.

Scottsdale SPUR Portal

Planning staff will conduct a comprehensive review of the application and will notify you of first-review comments (usually within 30 days). These comments will explain issues that need to be resolved before a public hearing date is scheduled.

Once review comments have been addressed, you may upload your response and revised documents to Scottsdale SPUR.

After a few weeks, if all issues are addressed, the applicant will be notified by the Project Coordinator of the board or commission hearing date. The applicant is responsible for posting required signage and preparing for the hearing.

The applicant must attend the public hearing and be prepared to answer any questions the board or commission may have. The applicant may contact the Project Coordinator with any questions about the hearing.

View projects that are awaiting public hearings by visiting the Case Info Search.

Case Info Search

After the public hearing, the applicant will receive formal notification and other information to proceed to the next steps.