Planning and Design Applications
ONLINE APPLICATIONS. Some of our applications are available to be submitted online. To view available online applications, visit our Louisville Metro Business Portal at, https://aca-louisville.accela.com/LJCMG.
Prior to submitting an 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 busines portal, read our Electronic Document Submittal Standards.
Please 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 S. Fifth Street). Please bring a picture 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. Click here for more detailed information.
Refund Policy: No refunds will be provided for pre-applications. Requests for refunds for other other submittals should be made in writing and directed to the case manager for consideration.
Legal Advertisement Instructions: If you are applying for a zoning change, street name change or street closure, a legal advertisement is required. Please click here for legal advertisement instructions.
Site Plan: 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. Click here to view requirements for a basic site plan.
Sign Permit
| Application Name | Description | Fee | Application |
| Sign Permit | Permit to construct and a display a sign | $75 + $1 for every sf over 50 sf |
Zoning
| Application Name |
Description |
Fee |
Application |
| Zoning/Form District Change Pre-Application |
A preliminary evaluation of a proposed change in zoning/form district with the comprehensive plan. | $150 | Word |
| Zoning/Form District Change | An application to change a property's zoning or form district classification. A pre-application is required prior to submitting this application. | Various (see application) |
Word |
| Joint Zoning Change & Subdivision | An application to change a property's zoning or form district classification in conjunction with a proposal for a major subdivision. A zoning change pre-application is required prior to submitting this application. | Various (see application) |
Word |
| TNZD Map Change | An application to change the mapped use within a Traditional Neighborhood Zoning District (TNZD). | Various (see application) |
Word |
Subdivisions
| Application Name |
Description |
Fee |
Application |
| 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 |
Word |
| Major Preliminary Subdivision | Any division of land not defined as a minor subdivision. This application is required prior to submitting a record plat. | $1,100 | Word |
| 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 | Word |
| Revised Major Preliminary Subdivision | A revision to a previously approved major preliminary subdivision plan. | $300 | Word |
| 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 | Word |
Plan Review and Binding Elements
| Application Name |
Description |
Fee |
Application |
| District Development Plan | An application for the approval of a development plan (detailed, revised, or general) on a Plan Certain site (a site with Binding Elements). |
Various (see application) |
Word |
| Category 2B Plan | A development plan that does not meet the threshold for the Community Design Review Process, and therefore is reviewed only for code compliance. The threshold tables can be found at the end of each Form District regulation. This application can be approved by PDS staff. | $250 | Word |
| Outdoor Sale, Display & Storage | Review of 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 |
| Category 3 Plan | 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 can be found at the end of each Form District regulation. | $600 | |
| Landscape/ Tree Preservation/ Clearing & Grading Plan | 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 |
Various (see application) | Word |
| Signature Entrance | An application to allow for the construction of any wall(s), fence(s), guard house, or similar structures 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 |
| Sign Plan | An application for sign approval as required by a binding element of a Plan Certain site. | $125 | Word |
| Binding Element Amendment | The revision or elimination of a binding element or condition of approval associated with a development plan. |
$225 |
Word |
| Construction Plan Review | Application for construction plan review by the transportation planning division | $210 | Word |
Conditional Use Permits
| Application Name |
Description |
Fee |
Application |
| Conditional Use Permit Pre-Application |
A preliminary evaluation of a proposed conditional use permit. |
$150 |
Word |
| Conditional Use Permit |
*A use permitted in specific locations when certain conditions can be met. 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. *Bed & breakfast inns and short term rentals
*Accessory apartments, home occupations and duplex dwelling units |
$1,000
$500
*$300 |
Word |
| Short Term Rental Conditional Use Permit Pre-Application and Formal Application | If a short term rental is desired and the property is zoned TNZD or if the property is not the host's primary residence and it is zoned residential, a Conditional Use Permit is need to operate a short term rental. |
Pre-Application: $150 Formal Application: $500 |
|
| Modified Conditional Use Permit | A revision to an existing conditional use permit. | $300 | Word |
Variances
| Application Name |
Description |
Fee |
Application |
| Variance | A departure from the dimensional terms of the zoning regulations pertaining to height, width, length, or location of structures and size of yards or open spaces. |
Various (see application) |
Word |
| Modified Variance | A revision to a previously approved variance. |
$100 |
Word |
Waivers
| Application Name |
Description |
Fee |
Application |
| General Waiver | An application to reduce or eliminate a Land Development Code requirement, which cannot be modified through a variance. |
$225 |
Word |
| Sidewalk Waiver | An application to waive, or partially waive, the requirement to construct sidewalks. |
$225 |
Word |
| Tree Canopy Waiver | An application to reduce the amount of tree canopy required with a development. |
$225 |
Word |
| Parking Waiver | Allows 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) | Word |
| Joint/Off-Site Parking Plan | Allows for the sharing of a parking area or space for more than one establishment if peak parking demands occur at different times. | $60 | Word |
| Right-Of-Way Dedication Waiver | An application to reduce or eliminate public right-of-way dedications. |
No fee |
Word |
Streets
| Application Name |
Description |
Fee |
Application |
| Street & Alley Closure Pre-Application |
A preliminary evaluation of a proposed street or alley closure. |
$150 |
Word |
| Street & Alley Closure | An application to close a street or alley. A pre-application is required prior to submitting this application. |
$600 |
Word |
| Street & Alley Name Change | An application to change the name of a street or alley. |
$300 |
Word |
Certifications
| Application Name |
Description |
Fee |
Application |
| Home Occupation | An 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 |
| Zoning Certification | A 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 |
Word |
| Zoning Confirmation | A letter confirming the zoning of a property. | $25 | Word |
Miscellaneous
| Application Name |
Description |
Fee |
Application |
| Affidavit of Notification | A written, sworn statement of fact confirming that public notices were mailed to the appropriate parties. | No Fee | Word |
| BOZA Appeal | An appeal of an action or decision made by the Board of Zoning Adjustment, Planning and Design staff determinations, or any zoning enforcement actions. |
$100 + legal ad |
Word |
| Cell Tower | An application for an antenna tower for cellular telecommunication or personal communication services. | $2,500 | Word |
| Change in Nonconforming Use to Another Nonconforming Use | A change from a lawful nonconforming use to another nonconforming use may be approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment only 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 | Word |
| Community Facility Review | The review of a community facility such as a Metro park, MSD facility, JCPS facility, firehouse, etc. | No Fee | Word |
| Community/ Market Garden | An application for community or market gardens | No Fee | Word |
| Extension of Expiration | An application to request an extension to an approved development plan. | $250 | Word |
| Factory Built Housing | An application for factory built housing to be placed on a lot zoned for residential use. |
No Fee |
Word |
| Floyds Fork DRO | An application for any development within the Floyds Fork Overlay District. | Various (see application) | Word |
| Landmarks/ Preservation Districts/ Overlay Districts |
An application for a Landmarks 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. An application is also needed to remove a tree in a Landmark, Presvervation or Overlay District | No Fee | |
|
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 | Word |
| 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 | Word |
| Temporary Activities | An application to allow a temporary activity as defined by Chapter 1 of the Land Development Code. | $25 | Word |
Petitions for Planning Commission Evening Public Hearings
| Application Name |
Description |
Fee |
Application |
| 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 | Word |
| 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 | Word |
