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*NOTICE: Reference the most recent adopted Municipal Code, Title 17 here. All other modified titles can be found in the staff report to City Council.

*NOTICE: Effective Wednesday, October 1, 2025, development and entitlement fees will increase. Projects submitted on or after this date will be subject to the new fee amounts. Contact staff for more information.

Planning is an integral part of making the City of Lancaster a functional, economically healthy, and attractive place to live, work, and visit. We are committed to achieving this goal through the development and implementation of a variety of short-, mid-, and long-range plans, including the City’s General Plan, various specific plans, and the City’s zoning and subdivision ordinances.  

Planning reviews all development proposals to ensure that they meet the requirements set forth in the City’s plans and development codes. Planning is also responsible for ensuring compliance with various environmental regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and various federal and state environmental statutes. 

New Application Submittals

Applications can be submitted in person at the public counter, or electronically through the following steps:

  1. Review the submittal checklist for your project type and prepare all required documents.

  2. Submit your application, plans, and any other required materials to the public counter or to planning@cityoflancasterca.gov. After an invoice has been generated, fees can be paid online through the Accela Citizen Access Portal. Planning staff may need to tie your user account to the submitted project at this stage.

  3. Staff will notify you when your application is received and assigned to a case planner.
 Zoning and Aerial Map 

City Hall - Cropped

  

Public Counter Hours

The Planning public counter is open to the public during the following hours:

  • Monday - Friday
    • 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
    • 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

City Hall is closed on certain public holidays.

Schedule an Appointment

If you need to speak with our staff outside of our public counter hours, we are available by appointment during City Hall's business hours:

  • Monday - Thursday
    • 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Friday
    • 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please email us at least 48 hours in advance to schedule an appointment. All appointment requests should include your name, contact information, the address or APN of the property you are inquiring about, and a brief description of your question or concern.

Contact Us

Phone: (661) 723-6100
Email: planning@cityoflancasterca.gov