Related Information

The Process

You can determine whether a specific land use is permitted in the City of Stockton by reviewing Table 2-2 (Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements) of Title 16 of the Stockton Municipal Code (SMC).

This table includes a list of:

approximately 150 land use types, or categories, and
all of the City's industrial, commercial, and residential zoning designations.

Comparing the two lists shows whether a proposed land use is permitted and what, if any, land use permit is required to initiate that use. Other sections of the SMC provide additional information regarding development within the City.

Application

If required by Table 2-2, discretionary land use permits are submitted to staff in the Permit Center to process. Such permit types include:

Use Permits,
Land Development Permits,
Tentative Maps,
Planned Developments,
Variances,
Rezonings and more.

Typical submittal requirements include:

completed application with the signatures of the applicant and property owner,
application fees
in some circumstances, samples of exterior building materials.

Planning Division staff are available to discuss specific application submittal requirements, as well as any required environmental review documents for your project.

Plan/Application Review

Staff review applications to make sure that they are complete. Any missing elements will delay the application until the applicant provides the needed information.

Complete applications are referred to specific City departments and outside agencies for comment.

If the project site is located within the Design Review Districts, any new building or addition on the subject site is subject to an Architectural Design Review during the application processing. Those departments and agencies will notify staff of applicable code requirements and may request discretionary conditions in the event the project is approved.

Most planning applications also require staff to publicly notify surrounding property owners and residents about the proposed project. After reviewing the results of the project's referral and public notification, staff will either take action on the project or formulate a recommendation for any required Planning Commission or City Council hearings on the project.

Approval

Following project approval, required building permit applications may be submitted to staff for processing, and/or the approved use may be initiated.

For those applications that require action by the Planning Commission, the public should be aware that the action is not effective until after the end of a required 10-day appeal period.

If an action of the Planning Commission is appealed, the Commission's decision is placed on hold pending a public hearing by the City Council.

Questions regarding the Planning Process?

External Links

Chapter 16 Stockton Municipal Code

This City of Stockton web page last reviewed on --- 12/14/2022

Planning Permits