Planning and Zoning Related Boards

Planning Commission meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 pm on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Building. Planning Commission is charged with considering items affecting the physical development and improvement of the city. Planning Commission initiates advisable zoning district map changes and zoning code updates to recommend to City Council for adoption, review and act on all site review applications, PUD applications, Corridor Overlay applications., subdivision plans and other matters affecting plans.

The BZA consists of five citizen members, one being the president of City Council and the other four appointed by the Mayor. In those instances where there are peculiar exceptions, and unusual circumstances in connection with a specific parcel of land, the BZA may consider and decide upon a petition to vary the application of the height, area, setback, sign size, parking requirements, and conditional uses of a property. The BZA meets on the second Monday of the month at 7:30 pm 2nd floor of the Municipal Building. when it has business to discuss.

The DRB is charged with considering and deciding upon the appropriateness of work to be performed within the City Center Heritage Overlay District. This board of seven Citizens (six are appointed by the Mayor, one by the Planning Commission) meets on the fourth Monday of the Month at 7:00 pm 2nd floor of the Municipal Building when it has business to discuss. They review and act upon applications made for exterior changes, landscaping, signs, and demolition of buildings in the downtown area.

Nuisances - What are they, How can I report them, and why am I being cited?

What are nuisance violations?

Urbana Codified Ordinance Chapter 1339 explains what a public nuisance is. The most frequently cited violations include inoperable or unlicensed vehicles; rubbish/refuse/junk that may attract rats, vermin, or insects; grass/weeds in excess of ten inches or are spreading or maturing seeds; unleveled/broken/cracked sidewalks or drives that may cause a tripping hazard or impede handicapped access; or a building or a structure that is likely to fail/collapse or left vacant and open for unauthorized access. This list is not comprehensive, and only touches on some of the most common violations. For a complete list, you may request a copy of the ordinance at the zoning department or click here for a downloadable version.

How Can I report a nuisance?

Simply by filling out our online form, calling 937-652-4322, writing a letter to the City, Attention: Code Enforcement, or by emailing nuisances@ci.urbana.oh.us.

It’s not my responsibility! I have a tenant that is leaving the property in this condition!!

No owner, tenant, or other person or legal entity in charge or possession of property shall create, permit or allow a public nuisance to exist upon such property. While it may be a tenant creating the nuisance, it is still ultimately the property owner’s responsibility to ensure safekeeping of his or her own property.

How will I receive notification about a nuisance?

After a complaint is made, all efforts are exhausted to remedy the situation prior to a notice of abatement. If the situation is not remedied, service of notice will occur according to Codified Ordinance 1339.03. The property owner has ten days to comply with the notice prior to being summoned to court or through the City completing the work and assessing the property owner through a tax lien.

Zoning Permits

When is a Zoning Permit required?

A zoning permit is required prior to constructing, adding to, moving, or altering any building, structure, or land within the City. Activities such as constructing a new building addition (including attached garages), decks and swimming pools also require this permit.

What do I have to do to receive a zoning permit?

To receive a permit, an application must be completed in full and submitted to the Zoning Department with one set of architectural construction drawings (including elevations) and a copy of a site plan drawn to scale (1”=40’).

Applications are due one week prior to the first Thursday of each month. The information given on this application shall be in compliance with Chapter 1105 and any other applicable sections of the Urbana zoning code.

How much is the application fee?

Please review the zoning application fees on the main planning and zoning page.

How long will it be until I receive notification?

The application will be reviewed by planning and zoning staff with the owner. The application will then be reviewed by the technical review committee, which meets the first Thursday of each month. The owner, in most instances, will have an answer within one month. Owner appearance may be required at public meetings; staff will notify the owner prior to the meeting.

Does a zoning permit expire?

Yes. If the work described in any zoning permit has not begun within one year from the date of issuance, the permit shall expire. If the work described in any zoning permit is not more than 50% complete within two and one-half years of the date of issuance, the permit shall expire.

What’s a certificate of occupancy?

The certificate of occupancy states that the building or proposed use of a building or premises complies with all the building, health, and any other applicable laws.  This is issued by the County Building Department.

What’s my next step?

Additional permits may be required by other agencies, such as Champaign County Building Department, after you receive a permit from the City.  It is the owner’s responsibility to contact the County Building Inspector for additional requirements.

Sign Permits

When is a sign permit required?

A sign permit is required prior to erecting, altering, or relocating any sign (wall, monument, blade, trailblazer, projecting, etc.) within the City.

What do I have to do to receive a sign permit?

To receive a sign permit, an application must be completed in full and submitted to the Zoning Department one week prior to the first Thursday of each month. Items to be included on the application:

• A drawing, sketch, or photo (a color computer generated or actual photo preferred);
• The sign dimensions, the height of the letters on the sign, the colors of the sign, & materials the sign will be constructed of;
• A site plan depicting where the sign will be located, including setbacks from side and front property lines as well as any existing signs and their dimensions on the site and/or building(s).

The information given on this application should be in compliance with the requirements of the Corridor Overlay Standards, the City Center Heritage Overlay District, and/or Urbana Code 1137 required. Copies of these ordinances are available by requesting a copy from the zoning department.

How much is the application fee?

Effective March 24, 2009, new fees are in place for sign permits.  Please call 652-4322 for detailed information or check the main planning and zoning page for a fee schedule.

How long will it be until I receive notification?

The application will be reviewed by planning and zoning staff with the owner/applicant. In overlay district areas, the application will need approval from one of the appointed boards. Therefore, the process for approval includes a review by the technical review committee, which meets the first Thursday of each month. After review from City staff, the sign may be brought before the Planning Commission (i.e. Corridor Overlay approval) or the Design Review Board (City Center Heritage Overlay approval). The owner should have an answer, in most cases, within one month, depending on the timeliness of the application. Owner appearance may be required at public meetings; staff will notify the owner prior to the meeting.  If board approval is not necessary, planning and zoning staff should be able to approve the application within 72 hours.

Fence Permits

When is a fence permit required?

A fence permit is required when a homeowner decides to erect or install any fence or wall.

What do I have to do to receive a permit?

You need to complete a fence zoning permit application, which includes measurements such as height of fence, setbacks from property lines and curbs, location of fencing, and materials of the fencing. You will also be asked to sketch the placement of the fence on the application.

What are the basic regulations of fences?

According to Urbana’s Codified Ordinance 1129.10, fences, walls, and hedges shall not exceed four feet in the front yard or six feet in height for side and rear yards for residential uses. Setback from right-of-ways is a minimum of three feet.

What is the fee for a permit?

Once you have completed the application, a twenty-five dollar fee is charged and a permit is issued to the applicant.

Is an inspection required?

Yes. Once your fence is installed, please call 937.652.4322 and request the zoning officer to inspect the fence.