Development Review

New Community Participation Requirements Coming Soon

What’s happening:

New requirements are coming for development project signage in Ann Arbor. Starting on July 1, 2026, applicants must post a "Proposed Development Notice" sign on each site frontage for all petitions submitted to the City Planning Commission (SEU, PUD, Rezoning, Site Plan) which meet the specifications provided by the City.

What this means for you:

  • Physical signage will be required on-site for certain projects.
  • Standards include size, content and placement.

Background:

On February 19, 2026, the Ann Arbor City Council approved updates to Section 5.28.4 Community Participation Requirements of the Unified Development Code to require onsite signage for Type 1 and Type 2 projects.

These changes respond to earlier updates from July 2025 reducing the number of projects requiring public hearings and mailed notices. The new signage requirement helps ensure nearby residents and businesses remain informed.

Effective Date

On July 1st, a sign template will be posted under the Forms and Applications section on this webpage. For now, more project information is available on the Engage Page.

Development Review Actions
Legislative Action Zoning map amendment, chapter text amendment
Appeals and Variances Appeals and variances to Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
Discretionary Action Special Exception Use (SEU)
Administrative Action Site Plans

Summary of Development Projects that Require Site Plan Review

A site plan, area plan or conceptual PUD plan is required along with a rezoning application.

Applications for a special exception use.

Certain additions to existing buildings with five or more dwelling units or non-residential uses.

New construction that results in: five or more dwelling units; residential building(s) in non-residential districts; new non-residential building(s); new or replacement Wireless Communications Tower(s), and certain sidewalk, parking or street construction, rearrangement, reconfiguration, or removal.

Certain accessory buildings, structures, canopies, decks, patios, plazas or outdoor storage on properties with  five or more dwelling units or that are not zoned residential.

Changes to approved Natural Feature plans on properties with five or more dwelling units or properties that are not zoned residential​.

For a complete/detailed list see UDC Table 5.29 ‐1 (PDF)

Before you begin to conceptualize your project, please visit the Planning for Sustainability​ page to consider those aspe​cts of development that can be considered early to make your project resilient and efficient.​

Site Plan Rev​​iew Process

The table below outlines the Site Plan Review Process steps to take before submitting a project application. See the Site Plan Revie​​w Process​ (PDF) for information on the entire review process from pre-submittal through approval.

At this meeting applicants will:

  • Learn about the ​Site Plan Review Process​​ 
  • Ask questions about your project
  • Receive early feedback on your development concept
  • Determine your project's Community Participation Ordinance requirement (if any) ​

To schedule a concept meeting with staff please fill out our Concept Meeting Request Form.

Staff contact: planning@a2gov.org

​Resources if applicable:

  • Create a STREAM​​ account.
  • Use the Site Plan Review Checklist to assemble your complete application package​​​
  • Please review these suggestions in the Project Sustainability Guide (PDF) from the Office of Sustainability and Innovations in preparing your site plan application; we ask that you consider how your project can help our community achieve the City's A2ZERO strategies.​

Reference the STREAM User Help Guide for creating an account. 

**As of February 14, 2023, applications for most planning projects will require a Pre-Submission Meeting application in STREAM to begin. After the Pre-Submission Meeting, staff will unlock the correct applications with unique links accessible to the STREAM accounts of project team members. Please also note that the Pre-Submission Meeting date is not the same as, and will not satisfy the need to submit project applications by the Application Deadline date indicated on this page.
​​
At this meeting applicants will:

  • Review the project application and plan in detail with staff
  • Confirm project fees and required applications

All materials (application, plans, supporting documents, etc.) must be electronically filed online by noon on the review cycle deadline.

Applicants should contact the Engineering Department​ prior to the application deadline to determine if paper copies of plans are required. ​

Staff will typically review the submitted application within five business days of the submittal deadline to confirm acceptance and review commencement or additional required information.  ​At this time applicants will be invoiced.  Applicants can pay invoices online via credit card or bank account.

Per the Community Participation Ordinance requirement, Type 1 projects must host a community participation meeting 45 days after the application is accepted for review,* and meeting notices must be sent 15 days prior to the meeting. Type 2 projects must mail notices 15 days after the application is accepted for review.*

*Applicants will be notified via email when their application has been accepted for review.

2026 Application​ ​​Deadlines

Applications that have a public hearing prior to approval such as site plans, rezoning petitions, and special exception use petitions for either Planning Commission or City Council approval, ​will be processed for review at noon on the third Thursday of each month. Applications that do not need Planning Commission review (ex: petitions for Planning Manager approval, such as land divisions/transfers) are processed upon submittal. Exceptions may also be made for projects that achieve City goals, such as 100% affordable developments.

  • January 15
  • February 19
  • March 19
  • April 16
  • May 21 - Early submittal on 5/20 is preferred due to the Memorial Day holiday.
  • June 18
  • July 16
  • August 20
  • September 17
  • October 15
  • November 19
  • December 17 - Applications submitted in December will have an extended​ first review cycle.  

Forms and A​​pplications

Below are links to information and application forms for annexing property into the City of Ann Arbor from Scio, Pittsfield, or Ann Arbor Townships. Annexation is required of properties that request City water or sanitary sewer service. This information generally applies to owners of single- or two-family dwellings or vacant residential lots. To request annexation of property other than single- or two-family, contact Planning & Development Services at planning@a2gov.org.

City of Ann Arbor Brownfield Policy 

​​​Applications for Land Divisions and Land Transfers may be completed via our online permitting system STREAM. 

Once a STREAM​ account has been created, click APPLY and search​ Land Division, select either Land Division or Land Transfer​.

Application for Street and Right-of-Way Vacations

Application for City Review of Public/Charter School Site Plans  

​​​301 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Staff Directory​

Phone icon734.794.6265

Email iconPlanning@a2gov.org
​

 

Brett Lenart AICP,
Planning Manager

Phone icon734.794.6000 x42606

Email iconBLenart@a2gov.org

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Payment questions:

Please reach out to the Planner assigned to your project with any questions about payments.