Before you build, remodel or demolish in Central City, please review these drop down menus to learn about the planning and zoning, historic preservation, and building permit process.
Planning and zoning review may be required for projects involving new construction or development, changes in property use, changes to building footprints, temporary use and construction permitting, and new businesses and short-term rental units. The Land Development Code governs how a property may be used as well as provides information on zoning classifications and districts (see also Zoning Maps below) as well as minimum zoning standards for development.
To learn more about a property’s zoning designation, please find the City’s Zoning Map in the below links.
- CC Zoning Map 1-6
- CC Zoning Map 2-6
- CC Zoning Map 3-6
- CC Zoning Map 4-6
- CC Zoning Map 5-6
- CC Zoning Map 6-6
If you are completing work on a property in the Historic District, a Certificate of Appropriateness must be obtained. Please find the Historic Design Guidelines here and more information on the Historic Preservation review process here under the HPC Application Portal.
The below table outlines all other land use approvals. A pre-application meeting is generally required for all development, please contact our Community Development Planning Staff to discuss your project and proposal.
Online portal for all land use applications.
If you need help with your online application, please reach out, and we can walk you through the whole thing. You can also view this video here for support. You may pay application or permit fees through the online application portal or pay your fees in-person, over the phone, or by mail with cash or check.
Approval or Permit | Description/Required For |
Temporary Use Permit | Operation of a temporary use including temporary special events, temporary commercial sales, and temporary dumpsters and construction uses. |
Change of Use Permit | Check for zoning compliance as a condition of issuance of a building permit. |
Limited Use Permit | Establishment of a limited use. |
Conditional Use Permit | Establishment of a conditional use. |
Rezoning | Changing which zone applies to a parcel proposed for development. |
Preliminary Plat | Approval of a proposed major subdivision (not required for minor subdivisions). |
Final Plat (major or minor subdivision) | Conveying lots by reference to plat; obtaining building permits within a subdivision. |
Planned Unit Development | The purpose of the planned unit development (“PUD”) regulations is to permit greater flexibility of uses and, consequently, more creative and imaginative design for development than generally is possible under conventional zoning regulation A Preliminary Development Plan (“PDP”) is the first step of the PUD process; filed with rezoning application and, if applicable, preliminary plat. A Final Development Plan (“FDP”) is the second step of the PUD process; may be filed with final plats or site plans. |
Planned Unit Development Amendment, Major | Major changes to approved Preliminary Development Plan. |
Variance | Authorizing development which does not strictly comply with the requirements of the LDC. |
Most construction and demolition projects in Central City require building permits. The City has adopted the 2018 International Building Codes. The City of Central Municipal Code, Land Development Code, and Design Guidelines may also be relevant to your project.
Building permit application may be submitted online here. If you need help with your online application, contact our Community Development Planning Staff, and we can walk you through the whole thing. You can also view this video here for support. You may pay plan check and permit fees through the online application portal or pay your fees in-person, over the phone, or by mail with cash or check. Inspections may also be scheduled through the online application system or by contacting our Community Development Planning Staff.
Construction on owner-occupied buildings may be done by the building owner. If you hire another person or contractor do the work on your building, that person must have the proper insurance and state licensing requirements.
Utilities
Water is provided through the City and sewer is provided through the Black Hawk Central City Sanitation District (BHCCSD).
Driveway, access, culvert, ROW, street cut work
- Street Cut Permit Application
- Street Closure Permit Application
- Blasting Permit Application & Checklist
- Excess Vehicle Size Permit Application
- Excavation Access and Street Use Permit Application
Engineering Standards:
Fee Schedule
Parking Fee in Lieu Program
The parking Fee-in-Lieu program establishes a parking bank to facilitate new development within the Land Development Code (LDC). This fee would be paid to the City, within a special fund, which could be leveraged later to construct a structured parking garage.
A study was performed in 2017 (2017 Walker Study) to determine the engineer’s estimate of probable cost (“EOPC”). The estimates are detailed in Figure 1 and adjusted annually.
Find the application below:
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| EPOC | $30,910 | $31,100 | $31,790 |
| O&M | $310 | $320 | $330 |
The EOPC for 2023 is $31,100 per structured parking space. This figure excludes the operation and maintenance costs of the parking garage, once constructed. The fee would be charged gradually based on the spaces needed and the timeframe when parking was requested. As of January 1, 2024, 20 of 372 parking spaces have been claimed as part of this program.
| 1-25 spaces | 0% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
| 26-75 spaces | 2% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
| 76-150 spaces | 10% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
| 151-225 spaces | 25% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
| 226-300 spaces | 50% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
| 301-372 spaces | 75% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
| 373+ spaces | 100% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
Impact Fees
Schedule of Development Impact Fees by Capital Facility Category
| Development Type | Public Facilities | Public Safety | Culture and Recreation | Public Works | Total Fee |
| Residential (per dwelling unit) | |||||
| All residential types | $1,647 | $2,481 | $890 | $2,961 | $7,979 |
| Nonresidential (per 1,000 square feet of floor area) | |||||
| Commercial | $842 | $1,526 | $454 | $5,313 | $8,135 |
| Office | $1,290 | $2,339 | $696 | $5,313 | $9,637 |
| Industrial | $458 | $833 | $248 | $5,313 | $6,851 |
| Gaming | $306 | $555 | $165 | $5,313 | $6,338 |