R.E. Cunningham, RA, F.SAME
Planning Director

Planning Department: (402) 444-5150

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Effective Monday, March 5th, 2012, the permits and inspections counter will open from 7:30 AM until 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Zoning Board of Appeals has changed their meeting date and location.  Effective immediately the ZBA will meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month and their meetings are held in the Civic Center's Legislative Chambers (LC) at 1:00pm.  As a result of this change the deadline for submittal of applications is one week earlier, so please plan ahead.  Click here for the ZBA schedule.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Changes to the City Charter, Section 55-890 Zoning Applications, Section 43-91 Certificate of Occupancy, and Section 48-25 Inspection Fee, that was approved by City Council October 25, 2011-will take effect on November 14, 2011

IMPORTANT NOTICE: New Technology and Training Surcharge Fee goes into effect Tuesday October 11th.  Click here for details

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Transportation Master Plan Update is under way and will be completed by the end of the year. The public is invited to get involved with developing the policy which will create a balanced transportation network.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Temporary Use Applications can be found on the Procedure and Applications Page a link is located in the menu bars on the left side of this page.

IMPORTANT  NOTICE: Street Naming
The Planning Department has resumed accepting applications for the naming, renaming, and commemorative designation of public property. The City Council recently adopted an ordinance that modified existing policies or established new criteria in regards to the naming or renaming of streets, parks, and other public property. Applications and related materials can be found under the Procedures/Applications link.

The Planning Department is responsible for preparing and maintaining:

• the City's Comprehensive Plan
• preparing the capital improvement program
• administering and enforcing zoning and subdivision regulations
• enforcing building codes
• carrying out ordinances for permits and inspection

The department is also responsible for:

• implementing community development and economic development programs
• enforcing the minimum dwelling standards ordinance
• condemning and removing hazardous buildings
• filling the role of the City's redevelopment authority

Divisions:

Housing, Community and Development - (HCD) programs focus on four areas essential to neighborhood revitalization: Housing, Public Facilities, Economic Development, and Services. 

• Housing programs help individuals and families – as well as investors -- acquire, improve and maintain housing;
• Public Facility programs permit the development and rehabilitation of public facilities;
• Economic Development programs focus on the development of commercial and industrial properties, the development of micro-enterprise businesses, technical assistance for small businesses and job creation; and
• Services include housing counseling, underwriting, the Lead-Safe Registry and funding for several programs serving the homeless.

Permits and Inspections - The Permits and Inspections section is responsible for the following:

• Receiving, reviewing and approving all building permit applications.
• Administering and enforcing Omaha's development regulations.
• Administering and enforcing zoning codes.
• Administering and enforcing building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and signs codes. 

 
Urban Planning - The Urban Planning Division is responsible for the

• Preparation of the elements of the Master Plan
• Neighborhood plans
• Annual building and development summary 2010 or Annual building and development summary 2011 
• Present Development Zone Map
  
• Annexation and capital improvement programming activities
• Review, approval, and inspection of subdivision plats, site plans and commercial/industrial/residential building projects
• Zoning use inquiries, variance and rezoning requests and other code and licensing related information related to property use and development

Urban Planning also administers the Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission    
 

Related Links:

Floodplain Information - Learn about local floodplain hazards, floodplain development permits and FEMA information
Environment Omaha - Learn about and stay updated on the Environmental Plan.
Downtown Master Plan -  Learn about and stay updated on the Downtown Master Plan.
MAPA Transportation Survey 2009 - Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Long Range Transportation Plan Survey
Developer's Guide - Learn about the regulations, procedures, and permit process for development within the City of Omaha's jurisdiction.

If you need assistance viewing pdf documents on this website, please contact the ADA coordinator by email or call 444-5000.