Planning and Community Development

CURRENT PLANNING AND ZONING SERVICES
(APPLICATION PROCESSING DIVISION)

Current planning and zoning services provided by this Division include:
•	Public information on the Zoning Code, the General Plan, and on approved and pending development projects.
•	Review of building permits and business licenses for conformance with the Zoning Code.
•	Processing of all types of development applications that involve a public hearing process.
The General Plan and the Zoning Code are the main tools to implement land use policy in the County. This Division is charged with ensuring that all development projects conform to both the General Plan and the Zoning Code. It is important that you check on the zoning of a property prior to making a decision regarding it’s use. Each property is located in a land use zone, ranging from agricultural, residential, commercial or industrial. The Zoning Code provides information on the permitted uses in each zone, as well as development standards for the use of property. These development standards address minimum lot size, setbacks, height limitations, parking, signage, and landscaping. The use of many properties require a "discretionary" action by one of several hearing bodies. Such actions include use permits, variances, and rezones. Whether you are an applicant, neighbor, or other interested party, we have information on what actions have taken place or are pending on each property in the County.

Public Information Counter Business License Review Plan Check Processing of Applications

The following printed Information is available at the Planning and Community Development Department front counter, 827 7th Street Room 101
	"Breaking Ground" – Guide to Development in Sacramento County
	"Getting Down To Business"

PUBLIC INFORMATION COUNTER
The Public Information Counter provides informational services to the public in person and by phone.

Types of services we provide include:
	Questions on the Zoning Code and General Plan Zoning and General Plan designation of each property Historical zoning and entitlement information The permitted uses of properties Status check on projects Verification of zoning violations Questions on applications and fees

Services we do not provide include:
	Flood Zone information: Water Resources at 874-7517 Building Code information: Public Works Building Inspection Division at 874-6433 Census Track information: SACOG at 457-5731 Easements, land mergers and recorded maps: Land Division & Site Improvement Review at 874-6544

BUSINESS LICENSE

The Purpose of this section is to screen business licenses for zoning violations and to ensure businesses locate in the proper land use zone with proper entitlements when needed. Home occupations are allowed in the county but the Home Occupation Standards of the Zoning Code must be adhered (305-200).

For licensing information and forms, please link to Sacramento County Treasurer – Tax Collector at http://www.finance.saccounty.net/Tax/BusLicGeneral.asp

PLAN CHECK

The staff of the Planning Department checks plan during the building permit process for conformity with the Zoning Code and conditions of approval including development standards, use, and land use entitlements. The building permits are submitted through Building Inspection Division and can be submitted to the Downtown, Bradshaw or Elk Grove office. Minor permits can be walked through the system. Commercial plans for new buildings must be routed through the system.

PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR LAND USE ENTITLEMENTS
Many proposed uses of properties require approval of a discretionary action such as a conditional use permit or variance. More significant changes may require an amendment to the General Plan, or an amendment to a Community Plan and rezone. Such discretionary actions are the subject of a public hearing before one of several hearing bodies, such as the Zoning Administrator, the Project Planning Commission, the Policy Planning Commission, or the Board of Supervisors. The process involves the steps found in the Flow Chart. There are a wide variety of land use entitlements that may be necessary for a particular use of land. Planning Department staff can assist you in determining the necessary entitlements. We’ve prepared some answers to the most common application questions. Fees are charged to cover the County's cost of processing the application. The Planning Department fee schedule can be accessed on-line. Environmental review fees are charged project by project and are based on time and materials. Reengineering efforts within the Department have resulted in a more user-friendly, responsive, and efficient process. Some of the main benefits of the new process are:
A project manager assigned to each project from start to finish. Geographic teams with specialists in each community. Up-front coordination and scoping meetings to facilitate information flow Coordinated and concurrent staff report writing, with target dates for all projects.
Application Processing Flow Chart Common Application Questions Project Status Environmental Review Fee Schedule

PROJECT STATUS

The status of any previously approved or pending application can be obtained by calling the Planning Department at 874-6141. It is necessary to have the control number and/or Assessor’s Parcel Number. This information will be available on-line in the future.

Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor Agendas can be found online at http://www.saccounty.net/saccountytv/index.html.

In the future, Community Planning Advisory Council (CPAC), Zoning Administrator, and Subdivision Review Committee agendas will be available on-line.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

Information regarding the California Environmental Quality Act can be obtained by calling the Department of Environmental Review and Assessment at 874-7914.