Development review is a core local government responsibility across the country. Local government reviews proposed developments to ensure they meet community needs and design standards including citizen safety and welfare and high-quality buildings and public infrastructure.

The City of Fort Collins adopted City Plan, on March 27, 1997. The plan was a broad approach with citizen participation, local businesspeople and local lawmakers to explore how the community should grow in the future. The goals and policies contained in City Plan align with “New Urbanist” principles including, “compact land use patterns consisting of a primary, vital downtown and other supporting districts that serve as focal points and centers of activity, and a variety of pleasant residential neighborhoods and places linked by inviting streetscapes, walkways and open lands. The compact form of the city will contribute to the preservation of environmentally sensitive areas and rural lands, the efficient provision of public facilities and services, the encouragement of infill and redevelopment of existing urban areas planned for such upgrading, and the creation of a distinct urban ambience.”

Fort Collins’ Land Use Code (LUC) was created from the policies set forth in City Plan to establish development regulations. Development Review exists to ensure each new development or redevelopment aligns with the community’s vision for Fort Collins.

Development review also ensures that private improvements that will be added to the public infrastructure are up to City standards and requirements.

The Development Review Flowchart is a resource for citizens; first-time or only-time developers as well as experienced developers and consultants. It will guide you through the City’s Development Review process. Each color-coded chapter explains one step of the process in greater detail.

We hope this guide, along with City planners, will play a significant role in making the process more predictable, timely, logical, accountable and customer-focused.

This online guide is intended to provide as much certainty and clarity as possible. Contents, policies and procedures are current as of the publication date but are subject to change. Any changes to the process or pertinent documents will be reflected in annual updates at the beginning of each calendar year.