The Community Development Department is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST Monday through Friday. The general information number is (505) 662-8120. A planner is available throughout the day to assist you with any questions you may have regarding your planning application submittal.
We strongly recommend that you call us for a pre-application meeting prior to submitting your planning application. By setting up a pre-application meeting, we can be sure to have the time necessary to answer all of your questions and ensure that your application is complete.
Sign permits, fence permits, small storage shed (120 sq. ft. and under) permits, summary subdivision plats, temporary use permits, and administrative deviations are generally issued administratively by the Community Development Department without a public hearing.
Site plans, special use permits, subdivisions, rezonings, and waivers, need to be reviewed internally by the Interdepartmental Review Committee (IDRC) and scheduled for a public hearing for approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission or by the Board of Adjustment.
A Planning & Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment meeting schedule exists to help you plan. Generally, submittals requiring Planning & Zoning Commission or Board of Adjustment approval will require approximately two to three months for final approval. The Planning & Zoning Commission meets twice a month and the Board of Adjustment meets once a month.
Please Note: For a PDF version of our permit application packet for each type of application listed below, click on the appropriate link. We now require that all applications going to the Planning & Zoning Commission be filled out electronically. To do this, call our office at 662-8120 and we will email you a Microsoft WORD 2003 version of any application form you request, or make other arrangements for electronic submission. Electronic submissions help us to process your application faster and allow you to easily make any changes or amendments to your application that may be necessary.
Fee Schedule
Fence Permit - A fence placement permit is required for replacing an existing or building a new residential or commercial fence.
Small Shed Permit - A small storage shed (120 sq. ft. and under) or similar accessory structure does not require a building permit but does require this type of placement permit. If the shed or structure is larger than 120 sq. ft. then a Large Storage Building Permit is required from the Building Division. Unenclosed patios and decks 20 inches or less off the ground require neither a Building Permit nor a placement permit. Decks and porches more than 30 inches above the ground do require a building permit.
Rezoning - A rezoning is an amendment to the official zoning map of Los Alamos County. A request to amend the official zoning map requires two public hearings, one before the Planning & Zoning Commission which makes a recommendation and one before the County Council for final action.
Signs - A sign is any written, printed or symbolic device capable of visual communication or attraction, including any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration, insignia, structure or symbol, or architectural feature which serves no other purpose than communication, used to advertise or promote the interest of any person.
All banners and temporary signs as well as permanent signs need a sign permit whether or not they are on public or private property. For more information call (505) 662-8120. For questions regarding banners on the overpasses at the high school and Lemon Lot Permits, please call the Customer Care Center at 311 or (505) 662-8075.
Site Plan - A site plan is a graphic depiction of a proposed development of property that provides information such as location of structures, setbacks, exterior facades, placement of parking and traffic circulation, exterior lighting and landscaping. A site plan application is required for all development of property or alterations/additions to existing structures, except for residential development of two units or less.
Special Use Permit - A special use permit is a permit that allows a use in a zoning district which has been determined to be compatible with the purposes of a particular zoning district, but which has one or more characteristics that could make it incompatible with uses in the zoning district.
Subdivision - In Los Alamos County, a subdivision is defined as a division of any tract of land into two or more lots. A subdivision into more than two lots requires a public hearing before the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Development Code Amendment - Both the Use Table and the Text of the Development Code (also known as Chapter 16 of the County Code) may be amended by using this application. A code amendment requires two hearings, one before the Planning & Zoning Commission which makes a recommendation to Council, and one before the County Council for final action.
Board of Adjustment & Administrative Approval Application for Waivers and Deviations from the Development Code - A "waiver" constitutes written permission from the County (after the Board of Adjustment's approval at a public hearing) to a property owner to depart from one or more Chapter 16, Development Code, requirements for a particular project, sign, or fence.
An "administrative deviation" may be administratively granted by the Community Development Director for minor dimensional deviations of 12 inches or less from the requirements of the Code or a reduction in the number of required off-street parking amounting to one percent or less of the spaces otherwise required.
Summary Plat Subdivision - A summary plat subdivision subdivides a single lot into no more than two lots or makes a lot line adjustment or which consolidates no more than two lots or corrects a technical surveying error.
Temporary Use Permit - A temporary use in Los Alamos County is defined as a use of a temporary, seasonal, or a transitional nature and can include such uses as firewood sales, Christmas tree sales, and outdoor festivals or carnivals.
Appeals of Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment or Community Development Director - You may appeal a decision of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment or a decision by the Community Development Director by submitting a completed appeal form at the Community Development Department, 901 Trinity, Second Floor.
Your appeal will be heard by the Los Alamos County Council in a public hearing. The County notifies owners of property within 300 feet of the subject parcel that there will be will a public hearing to consider the appeal. There is a $25.00 fee for processing.