Development Applications

Before submitting a formal application, you can meet with City staff to review your idea and get feedback. There are two types of pre-application meetings:

1. Conceptual Design Review (free): For any development idea.
2. Preliminary Design Review ($1,000): Recommended for larger or more complex projects.

These reviews are required for some projects and recommended for others. Reach out to us at preappmeeting@fortcollins.gov for support.

Conceptual Design Review

Who: Anyone with a land development idea.

What to submit:

• First, confirm your proposed use is permitted in your zone district (see the Table of Primary Uses in Article 4 of the Land Use Code).
• A sketch plan or site plan.
• A completed Development Review Application(PDF, 571KB).

When:

• Conceptual Review meetings are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis three Thursdays each month.
• There are three available meeting slots: 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

How:

• Email materials to preappmeeting@fortcollins.gov
• If you don’t have email access, call Planning at 970-416-4311 or visit 281 N. College Ave. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Price: Free.

What to Expect:

• 45-minute meeting with staff from various departments including Planning, Engineering, Utilities, Traffic Operations, Poudre Fire Authority and others.
• Staff will provide you with comments to guide you in creating a formal application.
• No approvals or denials occur at this stage.

Preliminary Design Review

Who: Applicants with larger or more complex projects requiring detailed collaboration and problem-solving.

What to Submit:

• First, confirm your proposed use is permitted in your zone district (see the Table of Primary Uses in Article 4 of the Land Use Code).
• A full application package including:
• • Completed Development Review Application(PDF, 571KB)
  • Site plan and preliminary civil plans
  • Project narrative and renderings
  • Photos of existing site conditions

When:

• After you submit your application, staff will spend about three weeks reviewing your materials before meeting with you. 
• Held virtually Wednesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. (one meeting per week).

How:

• Email your complete package to preappmeeting@fortcollins.gov

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Price: $1,000

What to Expect:

• 90-minute meeting with staff from various departments including Planning, Engineering, Utilities, Traffic Operations, Poudre Fire Authority and others, who will give feedback to help with your application process with the City.
• Strongly recommended for projects that may require exceptions or changes to standards.
• No approvals or denials occur at this stage.

After your pre-application meeting (if applicable), you may submit a formal development application (such as a Project Development Plan or Final Development Plan). In some cases a Neighborhood Meeting may be required before you submit; this is determined during your Pre-Application Meeting.

How the process works

• Submittal: Applicant provides a formal application package.
• Review: City staff review the proposal, provide feedback and request revisions if needed.
• Decision: After multiple rounds of review, a decision is made on the application.
• Construction Details: If approved, applicants work with the City to finalize construction details.
• Vesting: Plans are legally tied to the property once filed.

Submittal Requirements

Requirements

The files below are designed to help applicants prepare the necessary documents and plans for development review:

Development Review Submittal Requirements(PDF, 2MB)
Electronic Submittal Requirements and File Naming Standards(PDF, 626KB)

Checklists

Reference the requirements above together with the appropriate checklist(s) below:

Project Development Plan (PDP) OR Major Amendment (MJA) Submittal Checklist(PDF, 1MB)
Final Development Plan (FDP) OR Basic Development Review (BDR) Submittal Checklist(PDF, 1MB)
Wireless Communication Facilities Submittal Checklist (PDP/FDP and BDR)(PDF, 1MB)
Annexation and Zoning Submittal Checklist (ANX)(PDF, 1000KB)
Rezoning Submittal Checklist (REZ)(PDF, 1014KB)
Planned Unit Development Checklist (PUD)(PDF, 2MB)
Overall Development Plan Submittal Checklist (ODP)(PDF, 1MB)
1041 Regulations Area and Activity Review
1041 FONSI Application and Submittal Guide(PDF, 2MB)

Fees are due at the time of formal submittal. Some additional fees may be charged later at permitting (e.g., Building, Utilities, Engineering).

When Fees Are Due:

• At the time of a formal development review application (e.g., Project Development Plan, Final Development Plan).
• Additional fees may be required at permitting. Your Development Review Coordinator will help identify which apply.

How to Pay:

Check: Payable to City of Fort Collins.

• Mail: Mail to Development Review Center, 281 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524
• In person drop-off: Drop off at our service windows at 281 N. College Ave. between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
• Drop off after hours: Use the blue drop box on the west side of 281 N. College Ave.

Debit/Credit Card or eCheck: Pay online at Citizen Access.

• Debit/Credit: 2% + $0.25 fee (under $2,500) or 2.75% fee (over $2,500).
• eCheck: $0.50 fee (up to $99,999.99).
• In-person payments: Pay at our service windows at 281 N. College Ave. between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
• Phone payments: Pay with a card over the phone between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday: 970-416-4311

Have questions? We’re here to help:

• Pre-application meetings: preappmeeting@fortcollins.gov
• Development review fees/applications: DRCoord@fortcollins.gov
• General inquiries: Online form

Resources & Forms

• Development Review Application(PDF, 2MB)
• Standard Plan Set Notes(PDF, 349KB)
• Annexation Petition(PDF, 151KB)
• Rezoning Petition(PDF, 897KB)
• Certification of Mineral Estate Owner Notification(PDF, 233KB) (Signed form required prior to hearing)
• Guidelines for Parking Impact Studies(PDF, 202KB)
• Request for Extension
  • Development Application(PDF, 855KB)
  • Project Development Plan Approval(PDF, 853KB)
  • Vested Rights(PDF, 842KB)
• Appeal Form for Basic Development Reviews and Minor Amendments(PDF, 287KB)