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The development process is complicated - but it is complexity with a purpose. We must meet local, state, and federal regulations while ensuring that each step along the way is consistent with O’Fallon’s goals and policies. Our goal is to help you navigate your way through the process and emerge with your subdivision, building permit, zoning, or certificate of occupancy. This page offers a general overview of the process. For more specific information, please call us at 618.624.4500 x 4. A detailed flow chart can be downloaded here. The fee schedule list can be downloaded here
1. Annexation and Zoning
Some developments may involve adding new land to the City. For these developments, an annexation is required. Annexations must be heard at Planning Commission and City Council. Typically annexations are processed at the same time as the zoning. All property within St. Clair County is located within an underlying zoning district. A zoning district sets the permitted uses and standards for development of a particular piece of land. When a parcel of land is annexed into the City, the parcel typically has to be re-zoned to permit certain types of development. For more information on annexation visit our Annexation Page.
2. Preliminary Plat (All Development)
The Preliminary Plat begins to define individual development lots and all of the infrastructure required to serve those lots (where water lines, roads, and sewer lines are located).
We encourage each applicant to prepare a conceptual plan and schedule a meeting with City staff prior to formal submission of preliminary subdivision or development plans. At this pre-application meeting, staff will walk you through the Preliminary Plat application packet to provide guidance on submission requirements, procedures, and deadlines.
For the Preliminary Plat application packet click here.
3. Final Plat
The Final Plat defines the individual development lots for houses and businesses. The Final Plat nails down exact lot and easement locations. Final plats are typically done before the Final Site Plans in commercial areas but after the Final Site Plan in residential areas. We do this because the Final Site Plan in residential areas generally covers a multitude of lots while the Final Site Plan in commercial areas only covers a single lot. Final plats must be approved by the City Council and filed with the St. Clair County. The Final Plat application packet lists the procedures and requirements for the Final Plat process. For the Final Plat application packet click here.
4. Planned Development / Preliminary Site Plan (Commercial, Multi-Family Residential Developments)
The Preliminary Site Plan (also referred to as Planned Use or Planned Development) contains more detailed information about a specific site plan including building location, preliminary landscaping, building elevations, and preliminary utility alignments. Preliminary Plats and Preliminary Site Plans must be heard at Planning Commission and City Council.
We encourage each applicant to prepare a conceptual plan and schedule a meeting with City staff prior to formal submission of development plans. At this pre-application meeting, staff will walk you through the Preliminary Site Plan/Planned Use application packet to provide guidance on submission requirements, procedures, and deadlines.
For the Planned Development / Preliminary Site Plan application packet click here.
5. Commercial Design Handbook (Developed in 2009)
The Commercial Design Handbook is a technical manual created to articulate the community expectations and standards established by the O’Fallon City Council. The Handbook was created by collaboration of architects, engineers, developers, and the City Council. Some of the architectural features addressed by the Commercial Design Handbook are building materials, cornices, parapets, windows, building proportion, and awnings.
By consulting the Handbook prior to submitting plans for development approval, the Developer will enable staff to inform the City Council that the project as proposed meets the guidelines and may be approved by City Council more quickly. To view the Handbook click here (This pdf document is 4.9M.)
6. Final Site Plan and Civil Construction Documents
The Final Site Plan contains much of the same information as a Preliminary Site Plan but includes significantly more detail. The Final Site Plan clarifies the details of the Planned Development such as final site layout, number of dwelling units (houses, apartments, or condos), building elevations, photometrics, and landscaping. The Final Site Plan can be processed concurrently with the Civil Construction Documents.
Civil Construction Documents detail how underground structure and roadways will be constructed to city standards. These include detailed grading and erosion control plans, stormwater plans and calculations, detailed roadway construction plans, and utility plans. The Construction Documents are approved administratively and can be reviewed at the same time as the Final Site Plan. For the Final Site Plan and Civil Construction packet click here.
7. Building Construction Documents
Building Construction Documents include detailed drawings on how a proposed structure will actually be built. These documents include structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing details. Building permit review is handled administratively and can be reviewed concurrently with the Final Site Plan. For building construction documents click here.
8. Building Inspections/Certificate of Occupancy
Building inspections are conducted to ensure that construction projects are built to applicable building codes. A Certificate of Occupancy is issued after successful completion of all final inspections, prior to occupancy or use of the structure to which the permit issued.
9. Downloadable Forms & Applications
Various applications and forms for the Planning & Zoning Department are provided on-line for your use. To view these forms, please click here Downloadable Forms & Applications
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