Community Development

Permitting & Plan Review

  • All Projects are Electronic Paperless Processing.
  • Fees Payable by Credit Card, eCheck or Check.
  • Submittals, Re-Submittals or Inquiries can be sent to the Corresponding Email or Phone Number Below:

Building Division
805-237-3850
building@prcity.com 

Planning Division
805-237-3970
planning@prcity.com 

City Engineer
805-237-3860
engineering@prcity.com

Please reach out if you have any questions or need any assistance!

Building, Grading, Encroachment and Fire Inspections

  • Building, Grading, and Encroachment: Call 805-227-7222 to Schedule an Inspection.
  • Fire Permits: Call 805-227-7221 to Schedule an Inspection.

CommDev 2019

About the Divisions

The Community Development Department consists of the Planning, Engineering and Building Divisions. 

From the grading of the lot to the construction of the building and installation of final improvements such as landscaping and signage, Community Development is involved in all aspects of development.

The City’s Community Development Director oversees the four divisions, which make up the Development Application Process (PDF).

Planning Division

The Planning Division facilitates the land use planning and development process, assisting the City Council, Planning Commission and the Development Review Committee in establishing and carrying out land use policies and plans. 

The city’s General Plan is the document that contains the city’s land use policy, and the city’s specific plans and Zoning Code are implementation tools. All land use related applications and entitlements (use permits, i.e. conditional) are processed through the Planning Division.

Building Division

The Building Division (Public Works Department) interprets the Building Code by overseeing the plan check and inspection process for all construction requiring a Building Permit. The Building Official and a team of construction management specialists also oversee major city capital projects including those buildings authorized for funding by the voter approved "Measure D" of 1998.

Engineering Division

The Engineering Division interprets the Engineering Standards, Sewer and Water Atlas’s. The Engineering Division is responsible for ensuring that private developments are designed in a manner consistent with city and other applicable codes and standards. The Engineering Division deals with development on private property and connections to city infrastructure.

Housing Programs

Housing Programs provides services related to low and moderate income housing, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funded projects, and use of the Redevelopment Agency’s "Housing Set Aside" funds.

How the Divisions Work Together

Step One: Planning Division

For example, the process of building a new home may start with a developer submitting plans for a single-family residence or an entire tract to the Planning Division. There it is reviewed for consistency with the Municipal and Zoning Codes and the General Plan. 

Step Two: Engineering Division

The Engineering Division checks plans to verify they will properly connect to the City infrastructure (water, sewer) and ensure grading is properly done and required improvements (such as sidewalk, curb and gutter) are installed.

Step Three: Building Division

From there, the Building Division reviews the plans and inspects dwellings as they are built to ensure safe habitation under the Building Code.

Commercial Development

The process is similar for commercial development. It begins with the Planning Division, plans are checked by Engineering, and finally permits are issued by the Building Division, if all necessary criteria and fees are met.