The Site Planning Ordinance (PDF, 53KB) controls the site design of all developments other than single-family detached residences. The Site Plan Ordinance is also available at the Department of Community Development and the Urbandale Library. Copies are available on a floppy disk for no charge, or in “hard copy” for $4.00.
Site plans must be prepared by a design professional or someone with design expertise. A pre-application conference should be scheduled by calling the Department of Community Development at (515) 278.3935 prior to submittal of a site plan.
The Site Planning Ordinance applies to attached single-family (i.e., duplexes and townhomes), multi-family residences, churches and other institutional uses, and commercial and industrial construction. These are typically larger developments with significant traffic, noise, impervious surfaces that generate lots of storm runoff, and other concerns.
The site plan must show in detail where buildings, paving, driveways, landscaping, and all other improvements will be located, how drainage will be handled, and so forth. Potential concerns can then be identified and addressed, and the design is also reviewed to ensure it conforms to the regulations of other ordinances, especially the Zoning Ordinance. The Site Planning Ordinance also contains design standards and may require on and off-site improvements to mitigate impacts.
Site plans must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. The site plan must be filed with the Department of Community Development, which reviews the site plan and coordinates the reviews of other City Departments, and submits it for consideration by the Commission and Council.
A site plan cannot be denied on the sole basis of the use being proposed, if the proposed use complies with all code regulations.
See Also:
Download the Site Plan Checklist (PDF)
Applying for a building permit
Building permit review and approval process