The Department is responsible for two inter-related functions of the City; the planning and development function and the building code permitting and enforcement function. The planning function entails the formulation and implementation of the City's Comprehensive Plan and Development Code, which includes zoning and subdivision management regulations. Additionally, the Department overseas the implementation and enforcement of the City's flood plain management ordinance and building codes.

The Department is also responsible for working with appointed boards, including the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Economic Development Commission and other special committees. We work with these appointed bodies through the preparation of research materials and application processing prior to their review by the appropriate board, commission or committee. The other function of the Department involves building inspections and code enforcement. The Department reviews architectural building plan designs for compliance with the adopted building and associated codes and conducts inspections of new construction and existing residential units for compliance with relevant codes.