Planning & Economic Development

Planning & Economic Development provides a wide range of development services to the community, developing long range plans for the growth of Santa Rosa and reviewing development proposals for consistency with those plans.

Building Division

The Building Division reviews building permit applications for compliance with State and local building codes (structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and energy efficiency) and provides inspection services for all building related construction.

Economic Development

The Economic Development Division provides assistance with business needs such as starting or expanding a business, finding a site, or connecting with other City services; and administers a tourism marketing campaign called "Santa Rosa: Out There. In the Middle of Everything."

Engineering Development Services

The Engineering Development Division reviews development proposals to ensure that streets and utilities are designed to meet all applicable design standards, codes and regulations. The division also inspects the construction of approved public improvement plans and oversees subdivision grading and all construction within the existing and future public right-of-way.

Planning Division

The Planning Division is responsible for both current and long range planning. The Development Review team provides information on land use, zoning and site development standards and processes applications for land use permits and land divisions. The Advance Planning team performs a variety of long range planning activities, including development and administration of the City’s General Plan.

Public Art

The City’s Public Art program strives to enrich civic life, give voice to Santa Rosa’s unique creative spirit and galvanize the city’s reputation as an arts destination.



  1. Title Screen for video for I Wanna Know

    City Collaborates with Bay Area Artist Kayatta to Release New Song

    The collaborative effort brings together ideas brought forward from youth outreach done by Kimzin Creative Read on...
  2. Fire Station 5 graphic with areas marked for potential locations for artwork

    REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS Call for Artists: Fire Station 5 Public Art

    The City of Santa Rosa Public Art Program is seeking an artist or team of artists to design, fabricate, and install site-specific public art at a new fire station located in the Fountaingrove neigbhorhood. Deadline to submit is Sept. 11, 2023 Read on...
  3. Detail of artwork, Rosa Californica, at City Hall

    Artists Julian Billotte and Anna Wiziarde Celebrate Recent Public Art Installation at City Hall

    The dedication ceremony, hosted by the artists, for Rosa californica will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 23, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., in front of the artwork at City Hall, 100 Santa Rosa Avenue. The public is invited to attend the ceremony. Read on...
  4. Santa Rosa Forward_300x189

    Santa Rosa Unveils Draft General Plan Update; Requests Public Feedback

    Review the draft general plan update now or attend one of several in-person meetings this summer from Aug. 7 through 17 Read on...
  5. NF_FS5 GB 07_2023

    Fire Station 5 Groundbreaking Ceremony

    On July 21, Santa Rosa City staff, along with local, State, and Federal partners celebrated the long-anticipated groundbreaking for the Fire Station 5 Resiliency and Relocation project. Read on...
  6. Rebuild Permit Center Front entrance with sign that reads &#34Recovering as one&#34

    Santa Rosa Considering Extending Portions of the Resilient City Ordinances

    Survey feedback is requested by Aug. 18; Public hearings expected later this year. Read on...
  7. The City of Santa Rosa is Prohousing with the HCD logo and the city in the background

    City of Santa Rosa Earns State of California’s Prohousing Designation

    The coveted designation recognizes Santa Rosa as a leader in addressing the housing crisis. Read on...
  8. NF_Fire Station 5 Design Rendering

    Contract Awarded for Fire Station 5 Resiliency and Relocation Project

    The contract award includes the $15.2 million Design-Build contract, a 20% contract contingency, and the appropriation of the CDBG-MIT federal grant funding. Read on...
  9. Future Site of Fire Station 5

    Pre-Construction Site Preparations for the Future Site of Fire Station 5

    Although construction is not anticipated to begin until summer 2023, preparing the site by removing the trees now helps avoid the bird and bat nesting seasons. Read on...
  10. A house, an apartment, and row homes on top of the words House Santa Rosa

    City to Launch Housing Data and Development Tools; Needs Public Input for Initial Build

    The Planning division is asking for public feedback on areas of focus to help build the platforms Read on...
  11. CivicPlusNF_OldCourthouseSquare-20.12.17

    City Commences Installation of “Unum” in Courthouse Square

    The project breaks ground on Oct. 31 and is scheduled to be completed by early December. Read on...
  12. Envision Hopper Avenue Corridor Improvements

    City Launches 'Envision Hopper' Community Engagement Campaign

    Join us on Nov. 9 for the first community meeting to provide input on the Hopper Avenue Corridor Recovery and Improvements project. Read on...
  13. APA CA Logo

    City Receives Award of Excellence for Downtown Station Area Specific Plan

    Planning and Economic Development staff were on-hand to receive the Award of Excellence for Comprehensive Plan (Large Jurisdiction) and the APA CA 2022 Advancing Diversity and Social Change in Honor of Paul Davidoff Award Read on...
  14. NF_Hopper Ave 2

    Hopper Avenue Corridor Recovery Improvements Project

    Join us for a Community Meeting on Nov. 9 at 5:30 pm as we envision roadway improvements for the Hopper Avenue Corridor Recovery. Read on...
  15. NewsFlash_Santa Rosa Forward

    City Seeks the Community’s Input on Preferred Alternative for Santa Rosa’s Future

    City Council and the Planning Commission will review the draft plan and public feedback at the Oct. 25 meeting. Read on...
  16. NF_Fir Ridge Park Play Structure

    Recovery Status for Six Fire Damaged Parks in Fountaingrove

    Recovery work that began in May 2022 on the Six Fire Damaged Parks is nearing completion, including installation of the play structures at Fir Ridge Park. Read on...
  17. NF_FD Roadway Landscaping 102022

    Recovery Work Begins on the Fire Damaged Roadway Landscaping Project

    After extensive delays, we are pleased to announce that recovery work for the Fire Damaged Roadway Landscaping project in Coffey Park and Fountaingrove areas is underway Read on...
  18. NF_Fire Damaged Roadway Landscaping Project Update

    Fire-Damaged Roadway Landscaping Project Recovery Update

    This recovery project will remove and replace portions of roadway landscaping, including irrigation infrastructure damaged in Fountaingrove and Coffey Park burn scar areas. Read on...
  19. NF_Recovery Project Update

    Recovery Update for Six Fire-Damaged Parks in the Fountaingrove Area

    Debris removal and restoration for all six fire-damaged parks and open space parcels in the Fountaingrove area began in May and due to the tight schedule, work is occurring concurrently at all six locations. Read on...
  20. Fire Recovery Park Projects

    Recovery Process to Start on Two Remaining Fire Damaged Park Projects

    The parks recovery process involves restoring six parks and open space parcels in the Fountaingrove area and removing fire damaged roadway landscaping and replacing the irrigation system damaged in the Fountaingrove and Coffey Park burn scar areas. Read on...
  21. Sewer Replacement Projects

    Caltrans/FHWA Approves $4.75M in Roadway Recovery Funding

    The roadway recovery funding will help restore portions of the City’s pavement network damaged following the 2017 Wildfire. Read on...
  22. NF_FS5 Rendering

    Property Acquisition Complete for Santa Rosa's New Fire Station 5

    Fire Station 5 Resiliency and Recovery project reached a major milestone with completion of the 2.11-acre land acquisition Read on...
  23. NF_Repairing Public Infrastructure v2

    Restoring City Amenities & Repairing Public Infrastructure

    The 2017 wildfires caused over $70 million in damage to critical water and transportation infrastructure, facilities, parks and open spaces, and more. Over the last four years, the City continues to repair and recover critical infrastructure. Read on...
  24. CivicPlus_NewsFlash_MobileFoodVendor2

    City Expands Areas Mobile Food Trucks Can Operate Starting January 1

    The City ordinance greatly expands where and how mobile food vendors can operate on private property in the City, including areas zoned for commercial, mixed-use, shopping centers, car lots, and industrial areas, and more. Read on...
  25. Accessory Dwelling Unit

    Accessory Dwelling Units

    The City of Santa Rosa is preparing an amendment to the Zoning Code to facilitate the construction of accessory dwelling units on single-family residential parcels in compliance with new state law.
  26. PED_newsflash_permitsantarosa_300x189

    Permit Santa Rosa

    The City of Santa Rosa recently launched Permit Santa Rosa, on which you can review permit activity on an interactive map, apply for permits, schedule inspections, and explore our data portal.
  1. Sep 28
  2. Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting - CANCELLED

    Regular Waterways Advisory Committee meeting occurring on the fourth Thursday of each month.
  3. Planning Commission Meeting

    Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.