Development Review Process

• Applicants (see: Development Applications) can meet with City staff in a Conceptual Design Review (CDR), which is free, or a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for larger projects.
• Staff from different departments give feedback on what rules apply, what issues may come up and what approvals are required.
• For projects like annexations or rezonings, the applicant must host a Neighborhood Meeting before they can submit an application.

Resident involvement:

• If a Neighborhood Meeting is necessary, you’ll be invited to a Neighborhood Meeting if you live within 800 feet of the site.
• Anyone can attend a Neighborhood Meeting, ask questions and share feedback.
• Notices are shared through:
  • The This Week in Development Review email newsletter
  • The Development Proposals Page on the City website
  • Letters mailed to nearby property owners
  • Yellow "Neighborhood Meeting" sign posted on the property

• Once an applicant is ready, they submit detailed plans.
• City staff reviews the plans against the Land Use Code, the Municipal Code, neighborhood and corridor plans, and some county, state and federal laws.
• The applicant revises and resubmits their plans.
• This review will happen multiple times until the plans meet all the rules.

Resident involvement:

• You can track applications in the City’s Public Records Database or on the Development Proposals Page.
• You may submit comments on any project under review by emailing devreviewcomments@fortcollins.gov.

After staff confirms a project meets all requirements, it goes to a decision maker. Decision makers can approve, deny or approve with conditions.

Resident involvement:

• You’ll be notified of public hearings through letters, the newsletter and the website if you live within 800 feet of the project site.
• You can:
• • Send written comments (email, mail or drop-off)
  • Speak at public hearings in person or online
  • Watch hearings in person, online or watch recordings online afterward

• If the new land use is approved, plans move to a technical engineering review.
• Staff checks very detailed requirements like road widths, drainage systems, sidewalks and utility connections.
• Once approved, final plans are officially filed with the City and Larimer County and become legally binding.

Resident involvement:

• There is no public input during this step, but you can view final plans in the Public Records Database.

• Projects often begin with public infrastructure, such as roads, utilities, sidewalks and stormwater systems.
• Applicants then submit detailed building plans to the City’s Building Services Department.
• Staff reviews the plans for compliance with City, county, state and federal building codes.
• Once a permit is issued, construction can begin.

Resident involvement:

• You can track building permits and construction progress through the City’s Citizen Access Portal and the Active Building Permits Map.

• During construction, City inspectors regularly visit the site to ensure it matches the approved plans.
• When construction is complete and the project passes all inspections, the project receives a Certificate of Occupancy.

Resident involvement:

• There's no public input during this step, but permit and inspection records are available online through Citizen Access and the City’s public archives.

Current development projects

• I saw a yellow Development sign. See what it's for.
• What’s the status of a development I know about? Find project updates.
• What’s the status of my development project? Contact us.
• Neighborhood meetings. Send comments, attend a meeting, view recordings of previous meetings.
• Planning and Zoning Commission. Find agendas, attend a meeting, view hearing decisions.
• Land Use Review Commission. Find agendas, attend a meeting, view hearing decisions.
• Historic Preservation Commission. Find agendas, attend a meeting, view hearing decisions.
• Building Review Commission. Find agendas, attend a meeting, view hearing decisions.
• City Council. Find agendas, attend a meeting, learn more.

Past development projects:

• What’s the history of this property or this project? Access the Citizen Portal.
• Historic Preservation Division. Learn about the history of Fort Collins, access resources for individual properties.
• Did a project I know about receive a Certificate of Occupancy? Search by address here.

Project completion and building permits

• What’s the status of my building permit? Access the Citizen Portal.
• Ready for inspections on my project. Schedule an inspection.
• Certificate of Occupancy.  Access the Citizen Portal.

Permitted uses:

• Where can I put my business? See a zoning map.
• What kinds of businesses can I put on this property? Find allowed land uses.
• What's my zoning? Find your zone district and allowed land uses.

Applications and licenses:

• Sign code questions. Learn about rules and permits.
• Change in Use or Minor Amendments. Explore changes and amendments.
• Home business license. Learn about rules and licenses.
• Building permits. Apply or find permit status.
• Contractor Licensing. Register with the City.
• Development review applications. Get feedback from City staff on larger-scale project ideas.

Support for businesses:

• Access our Business Portal here.

Land use standards:

• Parking requirements. Find what parking you need to provide.
• Setbacks and build-to lines. Find your setbacks.

Related regulations:

• Utilities.  Visit the Utilities' business resource center.
• Historic Preservation. Apply for permits, designate as a historic resource, access funding.
• Forestry and tree questions. Learn about our tree policies.
• Poudre Fire Authority requirements. Learn about fire prevention regulations.