Planning & Economic Development

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Click here to schedule an appointment.

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. Live at Juilliard 2023 lineup

    Live at Juilliard 2023 lineup announced; summer concert series starts July 16

    Performances go each Sunday for six weeks, and the 2023 lineup includes Carlitos Medrano & Sabor de mi Cuba, The Real Sarahs, The King Street Giants, Burrows and Dilbeck, Erica Ambrin & The Eclectic Soul Project, Dylan Black Project Read on...
  2. AMBayArea logo, orange gear with the bay bridge in the background

    AMBayArea / BACC SCHOLARSHIPS ($500): Manufacturing Skilled Trades Students

    AMBayArea is offering four $500 scholarships to students taking community college classes towards a career in the manufacturing skilled trades. Eligibility details are below. Read on...
  3. Apply to a Board in Text with a Man sitting on a board smiling

    City Council is seeking volunteers interested in serving on Public Financing Authority.

    The Public Financing Authority (PFA) authorizes, develops, and implements the Infrastructure Financing Plan, which is the investment plan of an Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District (EIFD). In essence, the PFA oversees EIFD finances and activities. Read on...
  4. News Flash_2023 Merit Awards

    2023 Merit Awards

    The City is seeking nominations for its 2023 Merit Awards recognizing those volunteers who make Santa Rosa a better place to live. Read on...
  5. Person painting the side of building with the colors orange blue black and pink

    Applications Open for Small Business Façade and Parklet Improvements

    Applications are now open for the City of Santa Rosa’s Small Business Support Program focused on façade improvement, placemaking, and parklet build-out grants in qualifying commercial districts within the city. Read on...
  6. 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...
  7. 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...
  8. 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...
  9. 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...
  10. 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...
  11. 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...
  12. 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...
  13. 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...
  14. 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...
  15. 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...
  16. 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...
  17. 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...
  18. NewsFlash_Planning Interns 2021

    City of Santa Rosa Launches Housing and Downtown Development Trackers

    The tracking tools address community questions about how the city is meeting its housing needs. Read on...
  19. Short Term Rental Image - News Flash Size

    City Council Approves Amendment and Fee Adoption for Short-Term Rentals

    The maximum number of non-hosted short-term rentals permitted in the city is now capped at 198 citywide. Hosted rentals have no cap amount. Additional Info...
  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. NF_BBS

    City Installs Traffic Signal Battery Backup Systems

    FEMA -Grant funded project will retrofit 170 signalized intersections with battery backup systems to improve traffic flow during power outages Read on...
  25. 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...
  26. 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.
  27. 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. Jun 7
  2. Cultural Heritage Board - CANCELLED

    Regular Cultural Heritage Board meeting that occurs on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.
  1. Jun 8
  2. Planning Commission Meeting

    Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.
  1. Jun 14
  2. Climate Action Subcommittee

    Regular Climate Action Subcommittee Meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
  1. Jun 15
  2. Zoning Administrator

    Regular Zoning Administrator meeting that occurs on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.
  3. Design Review Board

    The regular Design Review Board meeting that occurs on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.