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Growth Management - FAQ

The Growth Management Department receives dozens of questions each week. We’ve listed the most common questions and answers below under each subheading. If you don’t see your specific question below, please let us know. You can contact a member of our staff by phone, by email, or in person as noted below. The FAQs on this page are periodically expanded as we receive additional questions that look like they may be useful to other customers. Select the categories below to find your question and answer.

building blocks spelling out FAQ

General Questions

  • I don’t know where to start. Who can point me in the right direction?
  • Am I in the City or the County?
  • How much will my application cost?
  • How can I learn about the status of land use proposals both throughout the City and in my neighborhood?
  • What does the City do to notify neighbors of land use proposals?
  • What are the different roles of the Growth Management Department's planning staff, engineering staff, building inspection staff, and code enforcement staff?
  • How can I get involved in the development process?
  • How does the City balance the property rights of landowners who want to build with the desire of adjacent residential homeowners who want to preserve their neighborhoods?
  • What's the best way for a citizen to learn about the development process and how it works?
  • Where can I find the Tallahassee Land Development Code?

Planning & Zoning Questions

  • What is the difference between the Planning Department and the Growth Management Department?
  • What is the difference between the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning?
  • What is the difference between the City’s Zoning Code and a homeowner association’s codes, covenants, and restrictions (CC&Rs)?
  • How do I determine the zoning of my property?
  • What boards have final approval on land use decisions and do they occur in public meetings?
  • Why and how is the zoning code periodically updated?
  • What is a Land Use Compliance Certificate (LUCC)?
  • What is a Zoning Verification Letter?
  • What is the difference between a Type A and a Type B site plan?
  • Which City departments participate in the review of land use applications?
  • What is a variance?
  • Can I have a business at my residential home?
  • Where can I find population and census data?
  • What land use regulations affect my property?
  • Can I subdivide my property?
  • Can I rezone my property?
  • What is a site plan?
  • What is "walkability"?
  • What is mixed-use development?
  • What is infill development?
  • What is affordable housing?
  • What is inclusionary housing?
  • Can I build an accessory dwelling unit on my property?
  • My property has a historic overlay. What does that mean?
  • How can I comment on a project?
  • How do I appeal a decision?
  • How long does it take for the Land Use and Environmental Services (LUES) Division of Growth Management to issue its approvals?
  • What is my allowable density and is that a measurement of units or bedrooms?
  • How many parking spaces do I need?
  • How tall can I build my fence?
  • How tall can I build my structure?
  • What are my setbacks?
  • How may I request a building address change or the addition of a building number to my building?
  • If I want to learn more about city planning, can you suggest any good resources to look at?
  • What is an easement and how do I determine whether one applies to my property?
  • What should I do if I want to move a property boundary line?
  • How can I find out what the square footage of my home is?
  • Who do I speak to about tree removal?
  • Are short term vacation rentals allowed?
  • Am I allowed to have a tiny house?
  • Does the Zoning Code regulate landlord/tenant disputes?
  • Can I store a recreational vehicle on my property?
  • Is there a limit to how many people can live in a residence?
  • What are the requirements of a food truck?
  • What is the Multi-Modal Transportation District (MMTD)?

Code Enforcement Questions

  • What is Code Enforcement?
  • How can I report a Code violation to Environmental Services?
  • How does City staff become aware of potential code violations?
  • How does the code enforcement process work from beginning to end?
  • My neighbors have violations too. Why aren't you investigating them?
  • Can I report a violation anonymously?

Building Questions

  • When do I need a permit?
  • Where do I get a permit?
  • What is the cost of a permit?
  • When do I need a contractor?
  • What are the construction codes enforced by the City of Tallahassee?
  • How do I apply for a permit?
  • How can I learn more about the steps in Tallahassee's permit process?
  • How long will it take to obtain a building permit?
  • How do I find out the status of my building permit application?
  • How do I submit revisions to my building permit?
  • Is it possible to reinstate an expired building permit application?
  • How long can an applicant wait to pick up an approved building permit?
  • How long is a building permit valid?
  • Can I change or add a contractor once the permit has been issued?
  • How can I request an extension to an issued building permit?
  • How do I obtain a Certificate of Occupancy/Certificate of Completion?
  • How do I check if a contractor is licensed?
  • Who can answer questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act?
  • How can I get copies of building permit records for a specific site?
  • What inspections are required for a residence?
  • How do I schedule or cancel an inspection?
  • Do I need a permit for a backyard shed?
  • Do I need a permit for a raised deck?
  • Do I need a permit for a window or door change-out?
  • Do I need a permit for a driveway?
  • Do I need a permit for a fence?
  • Do I need a permit for a canopy or carport?
  • Do I need a permit to replace an existing sign face with a new sign face?
  • A nearby construction project is making a lot of noise. What is allowed?
  • Who do I contact to file a complaint about illegal construction activity?

Engineering Questions

  • What is a Natural Features Inventory?
  • When must I apply for a Natural Features Inventory?
  • Are any sites exempt from the Natural Features Inventory requirement?
  • What information must be included in a Natural Features Inventory application?
  • When will I have an answer to my Natural Features Inventory application?
  • Does an approved Natural Features Inventory expire?
  • Are archaeology reviews still required for a Natural Features Inventory given that the State no longer provides clearance letters?
  • What is an Environmental Impact Analysis?
  • When must I apply for an Environmental Impact Analysis?
  • What issues must be addressed in an Environmental Impact Analysis?
  • How long does it take to review an Environmental Impact Analysis?
  • When does the Environmental Impact Analysis expire?
  • What is an Environmental Management Permit?
  • What types of development must apply for an Environmental Management Permit?
  • What issues are addressed by an Environmental Management Permit?
  • How long does it take to review an Environmental Management Permit?
  • When does an Environmental Management Permit expire?
  • Can an Environmental Management Permit be amended?
  • Can a very minor change be done on the as-built drawings instead of through an amendment to the Environmental Management Permit?
  • Can I substitute trees on my environmental management permit because I can't find the species that I need at local nurseries?
  • What are the City's tree protection standards?
  • Which roads are designated as canopy roads in Tallahassee?
  • What is a regulated canopy road tree protection zone?
  • What are the development standards for a canopy road tree protection zone?
  • Who are the members of the Canopy Roads Citizens Committee, what are their responsibilities, and when do they meet?
  • Is there a floodplain on my property?
  • What is the minimum required green space on the project?
  • Is there any stormwater pond capacity near my project site?
  • I live in an established neighborhood, but the lot next to me is vacant. A large house is being built on that lot, but it is flooding my yard. Is there anything that can be done?
  • What limitations do I have due to the floodplain on my property?
  • What is the required size of a landscape island in a parking lot for a multi-family residential or a non-residential use?
  • Can we use pervious pavement to reduce the size of the project's stormwater facility?
  • Can I add fill to a flood plain?
  • How do I find out if there is a wetland on my property?
  • What are the requirements for underground stormwater management facilities?
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