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, read Louisville Metro Business Portal Accounts.
To view requirements for uploading documents through our business portal, read our Electronic Document Submittal Standards.
Non-Online Paper Applications (Submitted in person at our office at 444 South 5th Street)
Print applications one-sided: This enables staff to quickly scan the documents and make them available for digital viewing, distribution, and record keeping.
How to submit: Applications need to be submitted to the Customer Service Desk of Planning and Design Services, located on the third floor of the Metro Development Center (444 South 5th Street). Please bring a photo ID.
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 are viewable here.
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. View requirements for a basic site plan here.
Sign Applications |
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Name |
Description |
Fee |
Link |
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Sign Permit |
Application to construct, install, and/or a display a sign. |
$75 + 1 for every square foot over 50 square feet |
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Sign Plan |
Application for sign approval as required by a binding element of a Plan Certain site. |
$125 |
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Zoning and Binding Element Applications |
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Name |
Description |
Fee |
Link |
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Zoning/Form District Change |
Preliminary evaluation of a proposed change in zoning and/or form district classification with the comprehensive plan. |
$150 |
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Zoning/Form District Change Formal Application |
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. Please click here for the affidavit form. |
Various |
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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. |
Various |
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TNZD Map Change |
Application to change a property's mapped area within the Old Louisville/Limerick Traditional Neighborhood Zoning District (TNZD). |
Various |
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| Binding Element Amendment | Application for the revision or elimination of a binding element or condition of approval associated with a development plan. | $225 | Word |
Subdivision Applications |
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Name |
Description |
Fee |
Link |
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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. |
$300 |
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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. Please click here for the affidavit form. |
$1,100 |
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Conservation Subdivision Pre-Application |
There is no application required for the Concept Plan stage of a proposed Conservation Subdivision. Please refer to Chapter 7, Part 11 of the Land Development Code for more information. |
No fee |
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Revised Major Preliminary Subdivision |
A revision to a previously approved major preliminary subdivision plan. |
$300 |
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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. |
$425 + $10/lot |
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Plan Review Applications |
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Name |
Description |
Fee |
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District Development Plan |
Application for a development plan (detailed, revised, or general) on a Plan Certain site (a site with Binding Elements). |
Various (see application) |
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Category 2B Plan |
Application for a development plan that does not meet the threshold for the Community Design Review Process, and therefore is reviewed by staff only for code compliance. The threshold tables, associated with the property's Form District, can be found in the Chapter 5 of the Land Development Code. |
$250 |
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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 |
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| Landscape/ Tree Preservation/ 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 Inventory Form, Tree Protection Sign, General Notes for Tree Preservation and Landscape Plans, Landscape Installation Certification Form |
Various (see application) | Word |
| 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. | $150 | Word |
| Outdoor Sale, Display & Storage | Application for a plan to place or stockpile items outside a building. Assures items are located appropriately to mitigate adverse impacts on adjacent properties and right-of-ways. This application is not required when subject to another development plan review. | No fee | Word |
| Construction Plan Review | Application for construction plan review by the transportation planning division. | $210 | Word |
Conditional Use Permit Applications |
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Name |
Description |
Fee |
Link |
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Conditional Use Permit |
Application for a preliminary evaluation of a proposed conditional use. |
$150 |
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Conditional Use Permit Formal Application |
Application for a conditional use. A CUP requires approval from the Board of Zoning Adjustment or the Planning Commission when requested in conjunction with a zoning change request. A pre-application is required prior to submitting this application. A Tree Removal Affidavit is required as part of this application. Please click here for the affidavit form. |
$1,000 (general) $500 (bed and breakfast inns/short term rentals) $300 (accessory apartments/home occupations/duplexes) |
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Short Term Rental Conditional Use Permit Pre-Application |
Pre-application for a short term rental conditional use permit. |
$150 |
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| Short Term Rental Conditional Use Permit Formal Application | Application for a short term rental conditional use permit. | $500 | Word |
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Modified Conditional Use Permit |
A revision to an existing conditional use permit. |
$300 |
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Variance Applications |
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Name |
Description |
Fee |
Link |
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Variance |
A departure from the dimensional terms of the Land Development Code regulations pertaining to height, width, length, or location of structures and size of yards or open spaces. |
Various (see application) |
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Modified Variance |
A revision to a previously approved variance. |
$100 |
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Waiver Applications |
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Name |
Description |
Fee |
Link |
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General Waiver |
Application to reduce or eliminate a Land Development Code requirement, which cannot be modified through a variance. |
$225 |
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Sidewalk Waiver |
Application to waive, or partially waive, the requirement to construct sidewalks. |
$225 |
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Tree Canopy Waiver |
Application to reduce the amount of tree canopy required with a development. |
$225 |
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Parking Waiver |
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. |
Various (see application) |
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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 |
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Right-Of-Way Dedication Waiver |
Application to reduce or eliminate public right-of-way dedications. |
No fee |
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Street-Related Applications |
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| Name |
Description |
Fee |
Link |
| Street & Alley Closure Pre-Application |
Application for preliminary evaluation of a proposed street or alley closure. |
$150 |
Word |
| Street & Alley Closure | Application to close a street or alley. A pre-application is required prior to submitting this application. |
$600 |
Word |
| Street & Alley Name Change | Application to change the name of a street or alley. |
$300 |
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Zoning Certifications and Confirmations |
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Name |
Description |
Fee |
Link |
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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 |
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Zoning Confirmation |
Request for letter confirming the zoning of a property. |
$25 |
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| Landscape Installation Certification | Form to certify that required landscaping has been installed in accordance with an approved landscape plan. | No fee | |
Historic Preservation Certificates of Appropriateness Applications |
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Name |
Description |
Fee |
Link |
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Certificate of Appropriateness |
Application for a Historic Preservation Certificate of Appropriateness or Overlay District Permit to allow for physical changes to the exterior of a building, structure, or property that has been designated as a local landmark or located within a local preservation district or design overlay district. |
No fee |
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Certificate of Appropriateness (Tree Removal) |
Application for a Historic Preservation Certificate of Appropriateness to remove a tree. |
No fee |
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Overlay District Applications |
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Name |
Description |
Fee |
Link |
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Overlay Permit (DDRO, BROD, or NROD) |
Application for a Overlay District Permit to allow for physical changes to the exterior of a building, structure, or property within a design overlay district. |
No fee |
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Floyds Fork DRO |
Application for non-exempt development within the Floyds Fork Overlay District. |
Various (see application) |
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Other Forms and Applications |
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Name |
Description |
Fee |
Link |
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Affidavit of Notification |
A written, sworn statement of fact confirming that public notices were mailed to the appropriate parties. |
No Fee |
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BOZA Appeal |
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. |
$100 + legal ad |
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| 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 (e.g. in-home daycare). | $25 | Word |
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Cell Tower |
Application for an antenna tower for cellular telecommunication or personal communication services. |
$2,500 |
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Change in Nonconforming Use to Another Nonconforming Use |
Application for a change from a lawful nonconforming use to another nonconforming use if the new nonconforming use is in the same or more restrictive classification and upon finding that the new nonconforming use will be no more odious or offensive to surrounding properties than the first nonconforming use. |
No Fee |
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Community Facility Review |
The review of a community facility such as a Metro park, MSD facility, JCPS facility, firehouse, etc. |
No Fee |
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Community/ Market Garden |
Application for community or market gardens. |
No Fee |
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Extension of Expiration |
Application to request an extension to an approved development plan. |
$250 |
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Factory Built Housing |
Application for factory built housing to be placed on a lot zoned for residential use. |
No Fee |
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Nonconforming Rights Determination |
A 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. |
No Fee |
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| Accessory Dwelling Unit | Application for an Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADU | No Fee | Application |
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Short Term Rental Annual Registration Form |
A form that must be completed every year to register a short term rental. Each form registers one short term rental. |
$100 |
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Temporary Activities |
Application to allow a temporary activity as defined in the Land Development Code. |
$25 |
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Petitions for Planning Commission Public Hearing in the Evening and/or at an Alternative Location |
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Name |
Description |
Fee |
Link |
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Downtown Location |
A petition to allow for a public hearing to be held at 5:30 p.m. or later downtown (514 West Liberty Street). |
No Fee |
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Convenient Location |
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. |
No Fee |
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