The City of Greensboro is here to help you navigate the commercial development process. No matter how complicated your needs may be, our concierge-level service team helps you save time and money every step of the way.
Ready to begin a development project? You can submit plans for new construction within the City of Greensboro for review through the City’s Plan Review and Tracking system. City staff will review building permit and land development submittals to ensure the proposed development meets the City’s Land Development Ordinance and other City policies. The same process applies to revisions of previously-approved permits or plans. Here's how to make it happen.
Commercial building permits are required for all new construction, additions, and alterations (except for minor alterations such as new carpet and painting). That means any applicable construction activity or sign placement requires a building permit before project commencement unless exempted within the City’s Land Development Ordinance. You can obtain a building permit through the Engineering and Inspections Department.
If a proposed development has the appropriate zoning and does not require any additional approvals from boards or commissions, then the land development plan review and approval process can begin. You must have approval of the land development plan prior to receiving a building permit.
All land development projects, other than for a select number of types of plans listed within the Land Development Ordinance, including new construction or additions to both single-family and two-family dwellings and their accessory structures, require some type of land development plan approval.
Sketch plan reviews are a chance to get input on the development potential of property within the city, or land that is planned to be annexed into the city, and highlight major development issues that could impact the development review process.
Sketch plan reviews are at no cost to applicants, and aim at helping to minimize the amount of review needed after a formal submittal.
If a proposed development site is not within the City of Greensboro, or does not have the proper zoning to allow your proposed use, City Planning Department staff can guide you through the annexation or rezoning process. Both annexation and rezoning decisions are made by Greensboro City Council, with review and recommendation from both the City’s Planning Department and the Planning and Zoning Commission.
If a proposed development is within the City of Greensboro, and the proper zoning is in place to allow your proposed use, applicants may apply for building permits. In some cases, building permits may be applied for concurrently with land development records, such as site plans. Building permits are reviewed by a variety of City departments to ensure compliance with the City’s Land Development Ordinance, North Carolina Building Code, and other City policies.
Learn More About Building Applications, Fees, and Procedures↗
All building and land development plans are submitted to the City and reviewed through the City’s Plan Review and Tracking system.
As you move through the commercial development process, discover all the resources you need in one place. Our team is also available to help you throughout the process.
Find information using the link below:
Driveway contractors obtain their permits either over the phone or by coming into the Planning office.
The general public can view inspection schedules and contractors can obtain their permits from this page↗.
Contractors and owners may also call in the inspection using the APRIL Automated Response System↗.
Land is annexed into the City of Greensboro through review and recommendation by City staff, and ultimately by a decision of City Council.
To make a zoning update to a proposed development, a zoning map amendment (rezoning) would be required. That process is usually initiated by an applicant, with review by City staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council. In some instances, rezoning applications may be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The City of Greensboro Land Development Ordinance is the chief document that guides development in the city. It can be accessed online. For specific development proposals, a sketch plan may also be appropriate. Sketch plans may be submitted to City staff using the Plan Review and Tracking program.
The City’s Planning Department maintains a library of long-range plans, area plans, and studies for reference. Staff uses these plans and studies as a foundation for annexation and rezoning recommendations.
Land development records are submitted to the City for review through Plan Review and Tracking. Submittals are made, and plans are reviewed electronically. Applicants may still need to print approved records for appropriate signatures or record keeping.
The City of Greensboro maintains a variety of GIS mapping tools for use. These themed maps include differing information, so please be sure to browse the entire library for specific topics.
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