Planning & Community Development:
The Planning & Community Development Department at the City of Sandpoint includes the Building team and the Planning team. Our building official, building inspector, and permit technician support local homeowners, contractors, and developers through the construction process from initial preapplication meetings before a building permit application is submitted through final inspections before certificates of occupance can be issued. The Planning team supports the Building team by completing code compliance reviews for every building permit application as well as Site Plan Reviews for new commercial and industrial developments and residential development that include four units or more.
The Planning team also supports developers embarking on projects requiring subdivision of land, including small scale lot line adjustments, short plats, and larger subdivisions, as well as planned unit developments, condo plats, and any land use that requires a conditional use permit.
Why Plan?
City planning informs the organized and sustainable development of our urban area with the city limits of Sandpoint. It serves as the blueprint for a city's growth, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently, infrastructure is developed to meet the needs of the population, and that environmental concerns are addressed. Additionally, planning promotes economic development, attracting businesses and fostering innovation, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for residents. It also plays a vital role in social equity by addressing disparities in housing, access to services, and reducing inequality. Furthermore, city planning is essential for disaster preparedness and response, as well as ensuring legal compliance with regulations. In essence, city planning provides the necessary structure and foresight for cities to thrive, adapt to changing circumstances, and build a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future.
Mission Statement
The mission of the City of Sandpoint Planning Department is to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations. We do this by:
- Providing quality service
- Encouraging citizen involvement
- Promoting good planning
- Implementing our City Code
Long Range Planning
The Long Range Planning Program assists the community in evaluating trends and developing innovative plans in anticipation of changes that may affect the future of the City. This work includes implementing and updating the primary long-range planning document for the city, the Comprehensive Plan, and developing sub-area or neighborhood plans such as the Area of City Impact and Downtown Development Plans. In addition, the Planning Department manages and prepares technical studies that augment and enhance the Comprehensive Plan and other planning documents. Recent examples of supporting technical studies include the Development Impact Fee Program and the Economic Development Opportunities associated with the City–owned Bonner Business Center.
The Long Range Planning Program is also responsible for creating implementing ordinances based on the recommendations described in adopted city plans and technical reports. Land use ordinances are intended to influence where and how things are built and where and how land is preserved. The tangible outcome of the regulations is the shaping of the built and natural environment within the city limits – the buildings, parks, city streets, public spaces, etc. Some recent examples of land use regulations include the comprehensive set of revisions to the Sandpoint zoning regulations governing Commercial, Industrial and Residential areas in town.
Current Planning
The Current Planning Program serves to implement the ordinances and Plans put forward by the Long Range Planning Program through the land use application process, as well as review of building permits for compliance with current zoning regulations.
In many cases, the land use application process begins with a pre-application meeting to identify the feasibility of a project and any specific issues that will need to be addressed. Once a completed application packet is submitted, Planning Staff distributes the packet to other Departments within the City (Fire, Police, Public Works, etc.) for their specific requirements on the project as proposed. Depending on the type of project, this administrative review is either followed by the issuance of a conditional approval letter listing conditions the applicant needs to satisfy in order to obtain the necessary development permits, or with presentation of the project in a public hearing before the City's Planning Commission and/or City Council, who will take public testimony before making a decision on the project.
Please contact us if you have any questions or would like more information regarding the application process 208-263-3370.
Contact Us!
Building Line: 208-263-3423
Planning Line: 208-263-3370