Planning and Zoning

"The mission for the Planning and Zoning Division is to provide guidance for growth and change in Monroe while maintaining and enhancing the high quality of life. The mission is fulfilled through the use of generally acceptable planning principles and enforcement of the City's policies and procedures, codes, and programs." 

Attention Property Owners: Your home or business may be located in an historic district. Please check with the Planning and Zoning Division Office before beginning any additions, remodeling or any exterior changes to any structures on your property (this includes fences and accessory buildings). If you are in an historic district you will need approval from the Heritage Preservation Commission before you can apply for a Certificate of Occupancy and/or a Building Permit.

Please see the "Procedures for Application of a Certificate of Appropriateness" located on the right side of the page under “Historic Preservation.” These procedures will spell out the process for applying for the Certificate of Appropriateness. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Planning and Zoning Division office at (318) 329-2210.

The application for a Certificate of Appropriateness can be found on the right side of the page under “Heritage Preservation Commission” and is labeled "Certificate of Appropriateness Application." The Monroe Design Review Guidelines is also located on the right side (you may need to scroll down a little). The guidelines should be consulted in order to assure proper guidance for your project. (You will need to explain your project to the Heritage Preservation Commission and how it complies with the Design Review Guidelines.)

You can submit your application and fee ($75.00) to the Planning and Zoning Division office.

The Planning and Zoning Division works with various land development ordinances and plans. These include the Comprehensive Plan and its elements, the zoning ordinance, the subdivision ordinance, the telecommunications ordinance, the landscape ordinance, the off-premise sign ordinance, and the Historic Preservation ordinance.

The Comprehensive Plan - A comprehensive long-range plan intended to guide the growth and development of a community. The plan includes analysis, recommendations and proposals for the community's population, economy, housing, transportation community facilities and land use. The plan sets the basic policies for the development of and in the city. The various ordinances listed above are the implementing tools the planner uses to regulate the development of the land as written in the comprehensive plan.

The Zoning Ordinance - Zoning is the legal regulation of the use of the land. The Zoning Ordinance is made up of two parts - a map and a text of regulations.

The Zoning Ordinance refers to the local law containing the zoning requirements of the jurisdiction. The ordinance divides a community into districts or zones, and regulates land use activity in each district, specifying the permitted uses of land and buildings, the intensity or density of such uses, and the bulk (size) of buildings on the land.

The Zoning Map simply shows the boundaries and labels of zones into which the community has been divided. Legally it is adopted as a supplement to the local zoning ordinance.

The Subdivision Ordinance - governs both the division of land into two or more lots, parcels, or sites for building and the location, design, and installation of supporting infrastructure.

Telecommunications Ordinance - This ordinance governs the location and type of telecommunications towers in the City.

Landscape Ordinance - This ordinance govern land which is being developed to have substantial landscaping area placed on the site. This would include frontage strips with trees, interior tree planting area and flower/bush planting areas. Variances can be sought through the review of the City Council.

Off premise Sign Ordinance - This ordinance governs the location, spacing, height, lighting and placement of off-premise advertising signs within the city.

Historic Preservation Ordinance - This ordinance governs any work in the erection of any new building, or in the structural alteration, addition to, or demolition of any existing building, any portion of which new building, alteration, or addition is to front on any public street in any historical district in the City of Monroe.

Planning and Zoning Division also acts as staff for the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment and the Heritage Preservation Commission.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The City of Monroe complies with the Fair Housing Act and the American with Disabilities Act and will not:

a)   Discriminate in the sale or rental, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of a protected disability of that buyer or renter, or of any person residing it or intending to reside in such dwelling, or of any person associated with that buyer or renter.

b)   Discriminate against any person in terms, conditions, or privileges of the sale or rental or a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with such dwelling, because of a protected disability of that person, of any person residing in or intending to reside in such a dwelling, or any person associated with that person.

c)   Refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary to afford a person or persons with protected disabilities an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.

d)   Coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his or her having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of his or her having aided or encourage any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by the Act.

Please see links below for Application and Procedure:

Application for Reasonable Accommodation for Group Home

Procedure for Reasonable Accommodation for Group Home

Staff process applications and facilitates meetings for:

  • Conditional Use Permits (major and minor)
  • Variances
  • Annexations
  • Revocations of streets or alleys
  • Dedication of streets
  • Planned Unit Development
  • Zoning Ordinance text and map changes
  • Historic District developments
  • Site Plan
  • Text Amendment
  • Certificate of Appropriateness
  • Appeals
  • Subdivisions

Update and keep the following maps on file:

  • Zoning
  • Council District
  • Neighborhood
  • Flood Zone
  • City Limits
  • Census Tract
  • Enterprise Zone and Empowerment Community Zone
  • Historic District
  • Schools and Parks
  • Mobile Home Distribution
  • Subdivision

 

Help Desk Information Card (PDF) 

 

Flyer

 

Flyer