Planning and Design Applications
Online Applications
- Some applications may be submitted online. To view available online applications, visit the Louisville Metro Business Portal at https://aca-louisville.accela.com/LJCMG.
- Prior to submitting an online application, you will need to create an account. For instructions on creating an account, refer to Louisville Metro Business Portal Accounts.
- Requirements for uploading documents on the Louisville Metro Business Portal
Submitting Applications Online Guide
Non-Online Applications (Submitted in person at our office at 444 S 5th Street)
- Print applications one-sided so that staff can quickly scan the documents and make them available for digital viewing, distribution, and record keeping.
- Applications must be submitted to the PDS Customer Service Desk, located on the third floor of the Metro Development Center (444 S 5th Street).
- Please bring a photo ID and make sure that you have all required materials (see checklists on applications). Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Public Notices & Neighborhood Meetings: Some applications require the applicant to notify adjoining property owners of any public hearings or neighborhood meetings related to their proposal. Please refer to the checklist on each application for any public notice requirements. More detailed information is available here.
Refund Policy: No refunds will be provided for pre-applications. Refund requests for other submittals should be made in writing and provided to the case manager for consideration.
Legal Advertisement Requirement: If you are applying for a zoning change, street name change, street closure, or administrative appeal to the Board of Zoning Adjustment, a legal advertisement is required. Instructions for Legal Advertisements
Site Plan Requirement: Most applications require submittal of a site plan showing existing conditions and proposed development. Some applications require a professionally drawn plan, while some only need a basic site plan.
Applications |
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Application |
Description |
Fee |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit | Application for an Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADU in single family zoning. | No fee |
| Appeal to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) | Appeal of an action or decision made by an administrative official or zoning enforcement officer concerning the interpretation, application, or enforcement of a Land Development Code provision. | $150 + legal ad |
| Binding Element Amendment | Application for the revision or elimination of a binding element associated with a development plan. | $450 + $60 clerk's fee |
| Category 2B Plan | Application for a development plan that does not meet the threshold for the Community Design Review Process and is reviewed by staff only for zoning compliance. The threshold tables, associated with the property's Form District, can be found in the Chapter 5 of the Land Development Code. | $300 |
| Category 3 Plan | Application for a development plan meeting the threshold for the Community Design Review Process which requires notice to adjacent property owners and a public meeting. The threshold tables, associated with the property's Form District, can be found in the Chapter 5 of the Land Development Code. | $600 |
| Cell Tower | Application for an antenna tower for cellular telecommunication or personal communication services. | $2,500 |
| Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) | Application for a Historic Preservation Certificate of Appropriateness to allow for physical changes to the exterior of a structure or property that has been designated as a local landmark or is within a local preservation district. | No fee |
| Community Facility Review | Review of a community facility such as a Metro park, MSD facility, JCPS facility, firehouse, etc. | No fee |
| Conditional Use Permit Pre-Application (General) |
Application for a preliminary evaluation of a proposed conditional use. Do not use this application for short term rentals and group housing. |
$200 $0 for Child Care |
| Conditional Use Permit Formal (General) |
Application for a conditional use. A pre-application is required prior to submitting this application. Do not use this application for short term rentals and group housing. A Tree Removal Affidavit is required as part of this application (affidavit form). |
$0 for Child Care Centers with 12 or fewer children $500 for Accessory Dwelling Units, Home Occupations, Duplex Dwellings, Child and Adult care Centers, Private Institutional use, Bed & Breakfast Inns, Sort Term Rental (owner occupied) $1,200 for all other uses In addition to the fees listed above, a $60 clerk's fee is required |
| Conditional Use Permit Pre-Application (Group Housing) | Application for a preliminary evaluation of a proposed group housing conditional use. Group housing includes boarding houses, rehabilitation homes, and transitional housing. Do not use this application for other conditional uses. | $200 |
| Conditional Use Permit Formal (Group Housing) | Application for a group housing conditional use. Group housing includes boarding houses, rehabilitation homes, and transitional housing. A pre-application is required prior to submitting this application. Do not use this application for other conditional uses. | $1,200 + $60 clerk's fee |
| Conditional Use Permit Pre-Application (Short Term Rental) | Application for a preliminary evaluation of a proposed short term rental conditional use. Do not use this application for other conditional uses. | $200 |
| Conditional Use Permit Formal (Short Term Rental) | Application for a short term rental conditional use. A pre-application is required prior to submitting this application. Do not use this application for other conditional uses. | $1,200 + $60 clerk's fee |
| Conditional Use Modification | A revision to an approved Conditional Use Permit. | $350 +$60 clerk's fee |
| Development Plan Extension of Expiration | Application to request an extension to an approved development plan. Please contact the Office of Planning for Conditional Use Permit Expirations/Extensions (LDC 11.5A.1.C) | $300 |
| District Development Plan | Application for a district development plan (detailed, revised, or general) on a Plan Certain site (a site with Binding Elements). |
$450 for staff review/approval $750 for Committee review/approval In addition to the fees listed above, a $60 clerk's fee is required |
| Factory Built Housing | Application for factory built housing to be placed on a lot zoned for residential use. | No fee |
| Farmers Market | Application for a farmer market. | No fee |
| File Certification | Request for a certification of a case file. | $160 or $0.10/page, whichever is greater |
| Home Occupation | Application to allow an occupant of a residence located on residentially zoned property to engage in a home occupation, trade, profession, or business. | $25 |
| Joint/Off-Site Parking Plan | Application for the sharing of a parking area or space for more than one establishment if peak parking demands occur at different times. | $60 clerk's fee |
| Landscape, Tree Preservation, and/or Clearing & Grading Plan | Application for a plan showing the required landscaping and tree preservation per requirement of Chapter 10 of the Land Development Code. Related items: Tree Protection Sign, Landscape Installation Certification Form |
$350 for plans with up to 19,999 sf $300 Tree Preservation Plan |
| Nonconforming Rights Use Determination | Request for determination by staff that a use lawfully existed prior to the adoption of a zoning regulation which does not permit it anymore and may continue to exist as a nonconforming use in accordance with the Land Development Code. |
$100 staff review In the event a decision by the Board of Zoning Adjustment is necessary, a $200 review fee shall be required |
| Nonconforming Use Change | Application for a change from a lawful nonconforming use to another nonconforming use. | No fee |
| Outdoor Sale, Display, and/or Storage | If a notice of violation or citation has been issued for outdoor sale, display, or storage, an application for a plan to place or store items outside a building is required to demonstrate compliance. This application is not required when subject to another development plan review. | No fee |
| Overlay Permit (DDRO, BROD, or NROD) | Application for physical changes to the exterior of a building, structure, or property within a design overlay district. | No fee |
| Overlay Permit (Floyds Fork DRO) | Application for non-exempt development within the Floyds Fork Overlay District. |
$100 for staff review/approval $250 for Committee review/approval |
| Short Term Rental Annual Registration | A form that must be completed every year to register a short term rental. Each form registers one short term rental. | $250 |
| Sign Authorization | Application for relief to certain sign requirements. | $225 |
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Application to construct, install, and/or a display a sign. |
$100 plus $1 per sf over 50 sf |
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Application for sign approval as required by a binding element of a Plan Certain site. |
$200 |
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| Signature Entrance | Application for any wall, fence, guard house, and/or similar structure exceeding 4 feet in height, constructed at an entrance to a major single-family subdivision or a multi-family complex of five acres or more. | $200 |
| Street or Alley Closure Pre-Application |
Application for preliminary evaluation of a proposed street or alley closure. | $200 |
| Street or Alley Closure | Application to close a street or alley. A pre-application is required prior to submitting this application. | $700 |
| Street or Alley Name Change | Application to change the name of a street or alley. | $350 |
| Subdivision: Major Preliminary Subdivision | Any division of land not defined as a minor subdivision. This application is required prior to submitting a record plat. A Tree Removal Affidavit is required as part of this application (affidavit form). | $1,350 +$60 clerk's fee |
| Subdivision: Major Subdivision Record Plat | The final plat of a major subdivision, which will be filed with the Jefferson County Clerk's Office. A Major Preliminary Subdivision approval is required prior to submitting a Record Plat. | $500/page + $15/lot |
| Subdivision: Minor Subdivision Plat | A division of land into no more than five lots, provided that the subdivision does not involve the creation of any new public street. | $350 |
| Subdivision: Preliminary Conservation Subdivision Pre-Application | Preliminary evaluation of a conservation subdivision. Please refer to Chapter 7, Part 11 of the Land Development Code for more information. | $200 |
| Subdivision: Preliminary Conservation Subdivision | Application for a conservation subdivision. Please refer to Chapter 7, Part 11 of the Land Development Code for more information. | $1,350 + $60 |
| Subdivision: Revised Major Preliminary Subdivision | Revision to an approved major preliminary subdivision plan. | $350 +$60 clerk's fee |
| Temporary Activity Permit | Application to allow a temporary activity as defined in the Land Development Code. | $25 |
| Transportation Planning Construction Plan Review | Application for construction plan review by the transportation planning division. | $250 |
| Variance | Application for relief of a dimensional requirement such as height, width, length, or location of structures and size of yards or open spaces. |
$150 for single-family, two-family, and multi-family uses with 9 or fewer dwelling units $350 for Churches, Parish Halls, Temples, Schools and Institutions of Learning (Except Colleges, Universities, Trade, Business or Industrial Schools) not-for profit uses and Clubs, Private Non-Profit $850 for all other uses |
| Waiver (General) | Application to reduce or eliminate a Land Development Code requirement, which cannot be modified through a variance. | $250 |
| Waiver (Parking) | Application for parking space reductions or increases, the use of on-street parking spaces not adjacent to the site, or the use of spaces located in public parking lots. |
Varies based on the percent of parking reduction below the minimum (see application) $500 to exceed the maximum |
| Waiver (Right-Of-Way Dedication) | Administrative application to reduce or eliminate public right-of-way dedications. | No fee |
| Waiver (Sidewalk) | Application to waive, or partially waive, the requirement to construct sidewalks. | $250 |
| Waiver (Tree Canopy) | Application to reduce the amount of tree canopy required with a development. | $250 |
| Zoning/Form District Change Pre-Application |
Preliminary evaluation of a proposed change in zoning and/or form district classification. | $200 |
| Zoning/Form District Change Formal | Application to change a property's zoning and/or form district classification. A pre-application is required prior to submitting this application. A Tree Removal Affidavit is required as part of this application (affidavit form). | Varies based on zoning district requested and area of land (see application) |
| Zoning: Joint Zoning/Form District Change & Subdivision | Application to change a property's zoning and/or form district classification in conjunction with a proposal for a major subdivision. A pre-application is required prior to submitting this application. | Varies based on zoning district requested and area of land (see application) |
| Zoning: TNZD Map Change | Application to change a property's mapped area within the Old Louisville/Limerick Traditional Neighborhood Zoning District (TNZD). | Varies based on the area of land to be amended (see application) |
| Zoning Certification | Request for letter certifying the zoning of the property, which includes a zoning map, minutes of approved conditional use permits, variances, waivers, appeals and zoning cases, and applicable Land Development Code regulations. | $100 |
| Zoning Confirmation | Request for letter confirming the zoning of a property. | $25 |
Forms |
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| Affidavit of Notification | A written, sworn statement of fact confirming that public notices were mailed to the appropriate parties. | n/a |
| Landscape Installation Certification | Form to certify that required landscaping has been installed in accordance with an approved landscape plan. | n/a |
| Planning Commission Night Hearing Petition (Downtown) | A petition to allow for a public hearing to be held at 5:30 p.m. or later downtown (514 W Liberty Street). | n/a |
| Planning Commission Hearing Convenient Location Petition | A petition to allow for a public hearing to be held at 6:00 p.m. or later at the East, South Central, or Southwest Government Center, or other preferred location of the petitioner's choosing. | n/a |
*Note: If two or more applications are submitted simultaneously for the same site, only one Clerk’s Fee is required.
