Planning and Development

115 West Jefferson Street
Washington, IL  61571
309.444.1135 - Phone
309.444.9779 - Fax
joliphant@ci.washington.il.us - E-mail

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The primary purpose of the Planning & Development Department is to promote the coordinated growth and development of the City of Washington. This department works to ensure that all subdivision, development, new construction, and use of land conforms to state and local regulations and is accomplished in an orderly manner that minimizes or eliminates adverse impacts to the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the citizens of Washington. The department staff administers local land use ordinances and provides professional, technical assistance to the City Council, Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Economic Development Commission, Building Board of Review, and TIF Joint Review Boards.

This department is responsible for the following activities:

• Annexation
• Building inspection, new construction
• Code enforcement, including zoning, subdivision, building, and nuisance
• Comprehensive Plan administration
• Economic development - general business retention, promotion, and support
• Enterprise Zone administration
• Geographic Information System (GIS) maintenance / mapping
• Permit issuance / application processing, including:

• Building
• Certificate of occupancy
• Comprehensive Plan amendment
• Demolition
• Driveway
• Fence
• Home occupation
• Personal Wireless Service Facility (PWSF) / telecommunication tower
• Rezoning
• Signs: including banner, billboard, and portable
• Street cut
• Street load limit, temporarily exceed
• Swimming pool
• Zoning
• Special Use
• Zoning
• Variance 

• Landscaping plan review and approval
• Planning, comprehensive land-use
• Right-of-way vacation, streets and alleys
• Site plan and subdivision plat review
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District administration