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Planning Division

Contact

Planning Division
(714) 647-5804
Contact us
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Planning Counter:
*By appointment only
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Alternating Fridays: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: closed

About the Planning Division

The Planning Division maintains the City's General Plan and Zoning documents. Planning is also responsible for environmental review, historic preservation, implementation of commercial cannabis regulations, and new development. Planning provides staff support to the City's Planning Commission, the Historic Resources Commission, and the City Council.

How can we help you?

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Current planning

This section works with developers and property owners to facilitate new development in the city and implement the City’s commercial cannabis ordinances.

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Advance planning

This section performs long-range planning for the City including: General Plan maintenance, coordination with regional agencies, and annual reporting to state agencies.

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Neighborhood Initiatives and Environmental Services

The Neighborhood Initiatives team works with Santa Ana's 64 neighborhood associations and community based groups to build capacity, solve problems and encourage civic engagement.

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Historic Preservation and Urban Design

This section implements the City's Historic Preservation program and maintains the Citywide Design Guidelines

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Property information search

Access information about any Santa Ana property. Search by address or parcel number.

Planning FAQs
FAQs

Have a question about making any property changes to your residence or business? Our FAQ provides answers and links to any permits you may need.

More information

Public Counter – major submittals

Major submittals must be done by appointment only. You can schedule your appointment by clicking here.

New major submittals: New minor projects:
– Landscape plans – New single-family homes
– Neighborhood reviews – Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
– Lot mergers – Major additions
– Lot line adjustments – Major commercial/industrial facade remodels
-Commercial cannabis applications

Please email planning@santa-ana.org to schedule an appointment for development projects and discretionary action applications, such as:

  • New projects containing over 2,500 square feet
  • Subdivisions
  • CUPs, variances, minor exceptions
  • Zone changes
  • General plan amendments
  • Historic resources commission applications

Plan drop-off area, counter application, and minor project submittals

If your project has already been assigned to a case planner, please contact them for arrangements to resubmit plans for Planning review.

No drop-off plans will be accepted.

Major Applications/Submittals – email first before scheduling appointment Minor Applications/Submittals – schedule appointment or email
  • Landscape plans
  • Neighborhood reviews
  • Entertainment permit
  • Lot mergers
  • Front yard fence
  • Lot line adjustments
  • Home occupation permit
  • Commercial cannabis applications
  • Land Use Certificate
  • Facade remodels
  • Reasonable accommodation
  • New projects greater than 2,500 SF
  • Reroof permits
  • Subdivisions
  • Sign
  • CUPs, Variances, Minor Exceptions
  • Sign program
  • Zone Changes
  • Temporary sign (banner)
  • General Plan Amendments
  • Temporary trailer
  • Underground utility waiver
  • Window replacement
  • Reroof permits
  • Tenant Improvements (TI)
  • Home Additions

For any additional questions, please email PlanningDepartment@santa-ana.org call (714) 647-5804.

Public meetings

  • Planning Commission information will be posted on the Clerk of the Council’s Boards and commissions page.
  • Historic Resources Commission meetings will be posted on the Clerk of the Council’s Boards and commissions page.
  • Zoning Administrator Hearing meetings are held in person.  Meeting information is posted and updated on the Zoning Administrator page.
  • Neighborhood Initiative Program (NIP) Neighborhood Association meetings are located on their homepage.  Information about Com-Link can be accessed here.

Planning and Building Agency News

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Santa Ana wins 2023 Sustainability Award for Legacy Square affordable apartments

Posted on May 2, 2023

The City of Santa Ana is being honored with a 2023 Sustainability Award by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for the Legacy Square apartments project. Legacy Square is a new affordable, multifamily apartment community that offers 93 high-quality apartment homes – 30 one-bedrooms, 39 two-bedrooms, and 24 three-bedrooms. The transit-oriented development replaced two...
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Santa Ana lowers fee for home-based business permits

Posted on January 11, 2023

The Santa Ana City Council recently approved reducing the Home Occupation Permit (HOP) fee from $320 to $50.32 to better serve and make it more affordable for modern, small home-based business needs. The Santa Ana Municipal Code requires that every business operating from residential premises needs to secure a HOP and comply with all applicable...

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