The entitlement process is the review and steps involved to get approval for a project.  This is also sometimes referred to as the development process. For certain projects you need entitlements before you are allowed to get building permits and start construction.  Below are different types of entitlements and elements of the entitlement process:

• Design Review
• Environmental Review
• General Plan Amendments
• Master Sign Program
• Planned Developments
• Rezoning
• Subdivisions
• Use Permits (Administrative, Minor, Conditional, and Special)

• Variances 

Apply for an entitlement 

Not all steps outlined here are required in all circumstances, but this gives you a general idea of the entitlement process in Walnut Creek.

Information gathering

Look up the zoning and General Plan land use requirements to learn about what’s allowed on the property. The proposed project or land use change should be compatible with surrounding areas. We recommend you meet with nearby neighbors and people who may be affected by the change. Discuss the proposed change and learn if they have concerns.

Contact local utilities and other agencies to see if other requirements will be necessary.

Preliminary review

Get early feedback, identify potential problems, and improve the quality of your application with our Preliminary Review process. 

Submit application

Make sure to include all the required items in the application checklist. Incomplete, inaccurate, and unorganized applications may result in delays. Learn about tips for a successful application.

Pay fees and deposits

Make an initial deposit for conducting the review. The fee for processing an application is determined by the number of hours spent by professional staff on the application. The actual fee may be more or less than the initial deposit.

Learn more about fees, rates, and deposits

Planner assignment

A planner will be assigned to your project and will be your primary contact through the process.

City staff review

A City staff review will occur within the first 30 days of receiving your application.  During the City staff review, your assigned planner will determine the follow:

• If the application is complete
• If outside agencies or other divisions will also need to review the application
• If Environmental Review will be needed

During this review, there may be multiple rounds of comments from staff that you will need to respond to by making changes to your plans and resubmitting your application.

Outside agency review

If outside agencies need to review the application, we encourage applicants to reach out to them early in the process.  As a courtesy your assigned planner will send your application to any required outside agencies for their review.  This review is often conducted at the same time as the City staff review. Each agency has two weeks to respond to the application. They will send their responses directly to the applicant. Failure to respond within the requested two-week period is not an implied approval.

Environmental review

During the initial 30-day review of your project, City staff will assess whether an Environmental Impact Report or other studies will be required. The review results in a determination of:

• Exemption
• Negative declaration or Mitigated negative declaration
• An Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

 Application

Notice of application status

Within 30 days after you submit your application, you will get a Notice of Application Status. This tells you whether your application is complete or if more information is needed. Comments received from other divisions and outside reviewing agencies will be included in the notice.

Public review

Large, complex projects may require several preliminary review sessions to resolve issues before the public hearing and final review. These sessions may result in changes you will need to make to your project.

Sometimes these include a recommendation from one body to another, such as the Design Review Commission making a recommendation to the Planning Commission.

Public hearings

10 days before a public hearing, a notice will be:

• Advertised in the local newspaper
• Mailed to all property owners within 300 feet of your project
• Posted on or near the project site

Based on the type of approval required, the project will go to one or more of the following decision-making bodies for their approval:

• Zoning Administrator
• Design Review Commission
• Planning Commission
• City Council

At the public hearing, City staff will present a report and make their recommendation. You will be able to present, followed by anyone else who wants to comment on the proposed project.

After everyone from the public speaks, the decision-making body will evaluate everything they have read and heard. Then they will take one of the following actions:

• Approve
• Postpone to a later date
• Continue and schedule another public hearing
• Refer the matter back for more evaluation
• Deny