The Department of Planning and Community Development provides information and assistance to customers on a multitude of land use topics. Planning staff responds to an estimated 30,000 phone calls and personal contact visits per year, ranging from calls inquiring on the zoning of a particular parcel, to accepting a land use application and processing it through the system for approval.

Knowledge and expertise is provided to the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Office, and other County departments (i.e. Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Resources, Animal Services) on specific projects for the benefit of the entire County.

The Department was reorganized in January 2007 to include five Divisions: Planning, Community Development, Building Permits, Administration and Financial.

The Department staff is composed of dedicated professionals who skillfully interface with local, state and federal agencies to administer a comprehensive land use program.

The department is headed by the Director of Planning and Community Development, Ron E. Freitas. Mr. Freitas, as director, serves as the Secretary to the Planning Commission, the Executive Director of the Stanislaus County Redevelopment Agency, and Secretary to the Airport Land Use Commission.

The Planning Division includes both current and long-term (advanced) planning services, and is responsible for  providing information to customers, maintaining the General Plan, administering the Airport Land Use Commission, and processing land use applications.   The Planning Division’s services include:

• Provide information to the public regarding planning and zoning issues, such as use permits, parcel maps, variances, exceptions, subdivisions, general plan designations, zoning and mobile homes.
  
  
• Prepare Planning Commission Agendas.
  
  
• Review applications and prepare Planning Commission staff reports for: Use Permits, Parcel Maps, Subdivisions, Rezone Applications, Variances and Exceptions.  (For Application Forms and Fees – Click HERE)
  
  
• Review applications for: Staff Approvals, Lot-Line Adjustments, Accessory Mobile Homes, Building Permits, and Business Licenses. Administer the Williamson Act Contract program.
  
  
• Implementation of CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act of 1970)
  
  
• The General Plan consists of a statement of development policies and includes a diagram or diagrams and text setting forth objectives, principles, standards, and plan proposals
  
  
• Mining Projects and State Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA)
  
  
• Section of the Planning Department was created to devote whatever amount of time and effort is necessary to work with projects which have needs beyond that of the norm

To learn more about Advanced Planning click here.

Stanislaus County annually receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

In 2002, Stanislaus County formed the Stanislaus County Community Development Block Consortium, which includes the Cities of Ceres, Newman, Oakdale, Patterson and Waterford.  The CDBG Program includes:

• The preparation and submittal of a three to five year Consolidated Plan and an Annual Action Plan [View Plans] to serve as the “application” for future funding.
  
  
• Preparation of a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) [View] on an annual basis, which describes the actions taken to reach the goals set forth in the Consolidated Plan and Action Plan.
  
  
• Planning and administration of infrastructure installation projects in the unincorporated pockets of the County where their services are failing or non-existent. 
  
  
• Related community development projects (park improvements, rehabilitation programs, etc.).
  
  
• Provides and administers Public Service Grants of up to $20,000 to an average of 16 non-profits annually.  These non-profits provide for the needs of extremely-low to moderate income people within the community
  
  
• Funds also provide Fair Housing services to help eliminate housing discrimination concerns within the community
  
  
• Annually one organization is awarded up to $20,000 to provide Economic/Workforce Development related activities to serve the local community.
  
  
• ESG provides prevention, essential services, operating costs, and rehabilitation services to an average of five non-profits annually that directly serve the needs of the homeless population within the county.

Stanislaus County is also a partner in the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) consortium with the City of Turlock.  The partner Cities include Ceres, Newman, Oakdale, and Patterson.  Participation in the HOME program enables funds to be used in collaboration with our local Redevelopment Agency to offer the community the following programs:

• Down Payment Assistance Program - Stanislaus County’s First Time Home Buyer Down Payment Assistance Program is designed to assist lower income households realize home ownership.  Eligibility for participation is based upon household income.  The maximum available is $75,000.  The current sales price limit for eligible homes is $362,790.  Down payment assistance funds are available for existing or new homes within the Unincorporated Areas of Stanislaus County.
  
  
• Minor Home Repair Program - The Minor Home Repair Program is available to home owners that need assistance with the costs of repairing emergency health and safety issues related to their homes.  The maximum amount available through this program is $10,000.  The program is administered by the Housing Authority.
  
  
• Housing Rehabilitation Program - The County’s housing rehabilitation program targets homes within the Unincorporated Areas that are in need of repair. The maximum available is $60,000. This program is administered by the Housing Authority

Stanislaus County also receives Redevelopment Agency (RDA) funds on an annual basis to assist government in eliminating blight from a designated area, and to achieve the desired development, reconstruction and rehabilitation of projects that may include residential, commercial, industrial and retail.  The California Community Redevelopment Law, is contained in the California Health and Safety Code beginning with Section 33000 et seq., also see Article XVI, Section 16 of the California Constitution, adopted in 1952 by initiative for further information.

The Redevelopment areas include, but are not limited to the following:

The Stanislaus County Redevelopment Agency was established in 1991.  The Agency in the process of coordinating the following projects:

• Crows Landing water system rehabilitation
  
  
• Neighborhood Cleanup Campaign
  
  
• Broadway beautification project in Salida
  
  
• Housing rehabilitation
  
  
• Salida Storm Drain
  
  
• Shackelford Sewer Collection and Transfer System
  
  
• Keyes Storm Drain
  
  
• The Redevelopment staff also prepares, maintains and implements the Redevelopment Implementation Plan in accordance with state law and the policies of the Agency

The Agency also collaborates with the CDBG division to offer a Down Payment Assistance Program (First Time Home Buyer Program), along with a Housing Rehabilitation Program within the eligible Redevelopment areas.