Duties and Responsibilities
The Planning and Zoning Department is charged with several administrative and statutory duties. The primary duty and responsibility is to implement the City of Waterloo Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, and Comprehensive Plan. Other duties and responsibilities of the Planning and Zoning Office include:
1. Issue Zoning Determinations
Individuals stopping in or calling the Planning and Zoning Office can find out information on if a property is in a floodplain, what a property is zoned, what uses or structures are permitted on a property, and what the minimum bulk requirements such as minimum lot size, lot width, setback requirements, etc are.
2. Maintain and Provide Public Information
Maintain a public record of all matters pertaining to the Zoning or Subdivision Ordinance or any process or approval required by the Ordinances, and make those records available for inspection or copy to the public.
3. Review Building Permits
Building Permits are issued by the Building Inspections Department, but require review and approval by the Planning and Zoning Office for compliance with the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance. This includes review of all building permits for new or re-construction or any additions or other buildings on industrial, commercial, residential, or agricultural land.
4. Process all Applications
Process all applications for rezoning, variances, special permits, appeals, and other requests that are required under the Zoning or Subdivision Ordinance to be reviewed by the Board of Adjustment, Planning and Zoning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Highway 218 Design Review Board, or City Council.
5. Code Enforcement
Respond to complaints of alleged violations to the Zoning Ordinance or Subdivision Ordinance.
6. Secretary to Boards and Commissions
Prepare all necessary reports and documents for and on behalf of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission, and Highway 218 Design Review Board, and take minutes of meetings and maintain records of all proceedings.
8. Administrative duties of Boards and Commissions
Carry out the administrative duties for the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission, and Highway 218 Design Review Board, as well as other administrative duties required by the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance.
9. Public Notice
Insure that public notices of all hearings required by the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance are properly advertised in local newspapers, and that a notice is provided to the parties of interest.