Applications, Forms & Fees
Fees & Determining Level of Project Review
Below is a consolidated fee list outlining Planning entitlement fees pursuant to the Master Fee Schedule. The Full Fee Schedule is also provided below.
To determine the level of review for a proposed project please complete the questions provided in the Application Determination Tool linked below. In order to use this tool you will need to know the proposed business or use, whether it was legally established, and the zone district of the property you are interested in. The Department has established a policy for amending previously approved entitlements to assist the Public in determining the level of review, materials to be submitted, and the appropriate fee to be paid for amendments to Development Permits and Conditional Use Permits. To view the policy, select the link below for Amending Previously Approved Entitlements.
Amending Previously Approved Entitlements
The Preliminary Application Process is EASIER and MORE ACCESSIBLE!
As of October 1, 2022, the Development Review Committee (DRC) Preliminary Application Review Process is voluntary, and a “formal” DRC Pre-Application is no longer required.
Please join us, as we Roll Out the Red Carpet to serve you, every Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at City Hall in Room 3054 as Current Planning, Public Works, Public Utilities, and Fire Department will be on hand to provide you with high-level, informal, preliminary feedback to assist you in developing final submittals, or you may submit a formal Entitlement Application via Accela Citizen Access (ACA).
Applicants are encouraged to bring as much information about the project as possible including an operational description and any draft site plans or exhibits. If possible, please email applicable documents, in advance, to [email protected]. Meetings will be held on a first-come, first-served basis, allotted 30 minutes, and a formal letter providing comments will not be issued; therefore, please be prepared to take pertinent notes (please sign-in upon arrival).
If you would like to schedule a separate meeting to have your project proposal reviewed by the DRC including outside agencies like Flood Control, Air Pollution Control, etc., please submit your request in writing to the email address above.
Should you have any questions, please contact us at 559.621.8277.
Plan Amendments
Plan Amendments are required whenever there is a proposed planned land use change. All plan amendment applications are considered by the Planning Commission and City Council. For additional information or questions, please call (559) 621-8277 or send an email to [email protected].
(note that a Traffic Impact Study is required for all Plan Amendment applications)
Fees:
Rezone Applications
Rezone applications are required whenever there is a proposed zone district change. All rezone applications are considered by the Planning Commission and City Council. For additional information or questions, please call (559) 621-8277 or send an email to [email protected].
Fees:
Conditional Use Permit Applications
A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application is required whenever a use is proposed that requires a CUP as outlined in the Zoning Ordinance. CUP applications are reviewed by Planning staff and are only considered by the Planning Commission or City Council by appeal. For additional information or questions, please call (559) 621-8277 or send an email to [email protected].
Fees:
- Conditional Use Permit Application Filing Fees
- Inner City Conditional Use Permit Application Filing Fees
- Inner City Map
Cell Towers
A Conditional Use Permit Application is required for all cell towers.
Home Occupations
A home occupation is a use conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on by the inhabitants, which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the structure for dwelling purposes and does not change the character of the home. A home occupation is subject to Section 15-2735 of the Fresno Municipal Code. A Zone Clearance is required for a home occupation. A tax certificate (business license) is also required. Refer to the Zone Clearance tab for additional information.
To submit a Zone Clearance, please submit your application through our online citizen portal: Fresno Accela Citizen Access.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Planning Review may be streamlined, if it meets the requirements outlined in the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Streamlined Planning Process handout. There is a fee for the streamlined review. This review is completed through a zone clearance review. To submit for this process, please submit your application through our online citizen portal: Fresno Accela Citizen Access.
For Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, that cannot be reviewed through the streamlined process, a Major Revised Exhibit – Development Permit is required. Please review the handout below to determine the items required for submittal. The handout also provides examples of information required on the site plan. Once you obtain approval from the Planning Division and comply with the conditions, submit plans to the Building Division for building permits.
Application Submittal Completeness Checklists
The following are Checklists that will be used to determine if a planning department submittal is deemed COMPLETE FOR REVIEW.
- Alcohol Conditional Use Permit Submittal Checklist
- Annexation Submittal Checklist
- Cell Tower Submittal Checklist – Existing Facilities
- Cell Tower Submittal Checklist – New Facilities
- Content Requirements for Plans and Operational Statement Checklist
- Development Application Submittal Checklist
- Electric Vehicle Charging Submittal Checklist
- Map Pre-Application Submittal Checklist
- Master Sign Program Application Submittal Checklist
- Minor ADA Modifications Submittal Checklist
- Minor Deviation Submittal Checklist
- Minor Revised Exhibit Submittal Checklist
- Plan Amendment and Rezone Submittal Checklist
- Planned Development Submittal Checklist
- Projects with Minor Parking lot changes Submittal Checklist
- Rear Yard Encroachment Submittal Checklist
- Rezone Submittal Checklist
- Signs Submittal Checklist
- Single Family Residential Projects Submittal Checklist
- Solar Carport Submittal Checklist
- Standalone Environmental Assessment Submittal Checklist
- Temporary Use Permit Submittal Checklist
- Tentative Subdivision Map Submittal Checklist
- Tentative Subdivision Map Technical Verification Submittal Checklist
- Tiny Homes-handout with submittal requirements Checklist
- Variance Submittal Checklist
Concurrent Submittal
Submittal of a building permit application concurrent with a planning entitlement application now requires the property owner, the architect/engineer, and contractor (optional) to sign a Concurrent Submittal Acknowledgement of Risk prior to receiving Planning’s okay to submit for building permits. Please provide this signed form at the Planning counter or upload the signed copy to your planning entitlement application on Fresno Accela Citizen Access prior to submitting the building permit application.
Concurrent Submittal Acknowledgement
Zone Clearance
Senate Bill (SB) 9 Submittal Checklist
Emergency Policy Regarding Outdoor Business Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the Covid-19 Pandemic Emergency, the City of Fresno Planning and Development Department is adopting this policy applicable to non-restaurant businesses which are unable to operate at full capacity within indoor premises for an extended period of time, to temporarily utilize outdoor areas on private property in order to accommodate and retain patronage while ensuring compliance with CDC recommendations for distancing and provide protections to the public to reduce the spread of the virus. Read the Emergency Policy Regarding Outdoor Business Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency.
Emergency Ordinance Regarding Outdoor Dining During the COVID-19 Pandemic
On May 21, 2020, the Council of the City of Fresno adopted emergency Ordinance No. 2020-020 to assist restaurant businesses that are unable to operate at full indoor capacity due to Covid-19. Under this Ordinance, restaurants may temporarily set up outdoor dining in parking lots and common areas of shopping centers in order to remain open while ensuring compliance with CDC recommendations for distancing. Read the Emergency Policy Regarding Outdoor Dining Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency.
Business or Home Occupation:
A Zone Clearance (ZC) is required to verify that each new or expanded use or structure complies with all of the applicable requirements of the Fresno Municipal Code and with any applicable policies and standards of the Fresno General Plan and any operative plans. A ZC is also required to confirm that the establishment of a new use is permitted as a matter of right and that no Conditional Use Permit or other entitlements are required prior to securing a tax certificate and commencing operation. To determine if your project qualifies for a Zone Clearance, please review the Zone Clearance Process document below. Processing takes up to 14 business days from the date of acceptance to complete. Please note that if the business or home occupation location is located on property outside the City of Fresno city limits a Zone Clearance is not required. There is a fee for a Business or Home Occupation Zone Clearance. Read this step-by-step guide to applying for a zone clearance through the Accela Citizen Access Portal.
Zone Clearance Process
Cottage Food Operation (CFO)
A CFO is permitted as a home occupation; therefore, a Home Occupation ZC is required. Once Development Services staff approves the ZC the applicant shall continue the process and obtain their Business Tax Certificate from the Business Tax Division on the 2nd Floor of City Hall. The CFO applicant shall provide the Fresno County Health Department with a copy of the approved ZC.
Single Family Custom Home:
A Zone Clearance is required for the review of single family custom homes. This review shall be completed by Planning prior to submitting plans to the Building Division. There is a fee for this review. Processing takes up to 14 business days from the date pf acceptance to complete. See submittal checklist below for requirements.
SFH Project Submittal Checklist
Standard Plan
Standard Plans will need to be submitted online as a “Lot Permit Request” through the City of Fresno’s Citizen Access portal. Please contact Building and Safety Division at (559) 621-8058 or (559) 621-8105 for any questions.
Accessory Dwelling Unit/Backyard Cottage/Accessory Living Quarters:
A Zone Clearance is required for the review. There is a fee for this review. Please review the SFH Project Submittal Checklist linked above for submittal requirements.
For additional information please call (559) 621-8277.
To submit a Zone Clearance application, please submit your application through our online citizen portal: Fresno Accela Citizen Access.
Development Permit Applications
Development Permit Applications are required for all new structures, with the exception of single family residences. For additional information or questions, please call (559) 621-8277 or send an email to [email protected].
Development Application Submittal Checklist
Fees:
Variance Applications
A Variance application is a request to modify property development standards due to special circumstances. Note, variances are not granted for uses (i.e. to operate a commercial use in a residential district), rather they are simply for development standards (i.e. setbacks, height, open space, etc.).
For additional information or questions, please call (559) 621-8277 or send an email to [email protected].
Variance Application Submittal Checklist
Fees:
Planned Development Permit
A Planned Development Permit establishes minimum thresholds for Planned Developments. More specifically a Planned Development Permit applies to:
- Establish a procedure for development on large areas of land and infill sites in order to allow for projects that desire greater flexibility than already provided for in the Development Code.
- Promote variety and avoid monotony in developments by allowing greater freedom in selecting the means to provide access, light, open space, and amenities.
- Facilitate the assembly of properties that might otherwise be developed in unrelated increments to the detriment of surrounding neighborhoods.
For additional information regarding Planned Development Permits, please visit Article 59 of the Fresno Municipal Code. The Planned Development Permit Supplemental Application is required as part of the project submittal.
Planned Development Submittal Checklist
Fees:
Minor Deviation Applications
A Minor Deviation is a request to modify property development standards by no more than 10 percent. For example, if the required side yard setback is five feet, an applicant may request a 10 percent deviation which would allow the applicant to encroach six inches into the required side yard.
Minor Deviation Submittal Checklist
Zoning Inquiry
A Zoning Inquiry is a request for a formal response by the Planning Division for a set of specific questions including property zoning, conformity of a use to the Fresno Municipal Code, and the ability to rebuild the present use on the site. For additional information regarding this application type, please call (559) 621-8277 or submit an email to [email protected].
To submit a Zoning Inquiry, please submit your application through our online citizen portal: Fresno Accela Citizen Access.
Sign Review
Signs shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Division staff prior to obtaining a building permit. For sign regulations visit Article 26 (Signs) of the Fresno Municipal Code.
To submit for a Planning Sign Review, please submit your application through our online citizen portal: Fresno Accela Citizen Access.