Welcome to Community Development

The Department of Community Development provides staff support to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment, and to other Commissions and Boards as needed.  Developers file residential and commercial plans with the Department, which distributes copies for review by other City departments.  The Department then schedules them for consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council, provides required notices, and prepares reports on the plans to advise the Commission and Council on whether the development proposals comply with City plans, ordinances, and other requirements. 

Requests for zoning variances and conditional use permits are also filed with the Department.  The Department schedules those requests for consideration by the Board of Adjustment, provides required notices, and provides reports to the Board on whether the requests satisfy legal requirements for granting the variance or permit.

The Department also is responsible for daily administration of Urbandale's long-range planning, and development controls including the City's Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Sign Ordinance, and Property Maintenance Code.  Department staff members review permit applications, conduct inspections, respond to reports of violations, and are available to answer questions and provide information on a broad range of topics.