About Us

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WWho We Are​

About Us

The Planning and Development Department guides the physical development of the city by preserving our historic sites, planning what can be built where, and ensuring safe construction of buildings and infrastructure. A host of advisory and governing bodies of residents as well as elected officials provide oversight as the city grows and needs arise. The process is governed through the development and enforcement of city codes and ordinances.


Learn about the Planning and Development Department Divisions: 


Planning and Zoning

Tricia Gomes
Tricia Gomes, Deputy Director
tricia.gomes@phoenix.gov
602-262-4870

What We Do

Public Meetings and Hearings

  • Planning Commission
  • Board of Adjustment
  • Design Standards Committee
  • Village Planning
  • Committees
  • Zoning Adjustment Hearing
  • Planning Hearing Officer

Applications

  • Rezoning
  • Planning Hearing Officer
  • General Plan Amendment
  • Signs Permits
  • Zoning Adjustment
  • Text Amendment
  • Zoning
  • Interpretation
  • Zoning Verification

Counters

  • Signs
  • Zoning
  • Planner Line

General Questions
Send us an email at pdd.zoning@phoenix.gov

Historic Preservation Office

Helana Ruter
Helana Ruter, Historic Preservation Officer
helana.ruter@phoenix.gov
602-256-4155

What We Do

Public Meetings and Hearings

  • Historic Preservation Commission
  • Heritage Commission
  • Certificate of Appropriateness and Certificate of Economic Hardship Hearing Officer

Applications

  • Historic Preservation Rezoning
  • Certificate of Appropriateness
  • Certificate of No Effect
  • Demolition
  • Certificate of Economic Hardship
  • DAPPs (30-day demolition hold)
  • Adaptive Reuse of Threatened Historic Buildings Grants
  • Residential Exterior Rehabilitation Grants
  • Phil Goldon Threatened Historic Building Grants
  • Demonstrated Project Grants
  • Federal Compliance (Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act) 

Counters

  • Historic Preservation

General Questions
Send us an email at historic@phoenix.gov

Business and Strategy

Mary Ann Fotinos
Mary Ann Fotinos, Assistant Director
mary.ann.fotinos@phoenix.gov
602-495-7682

What We Do

Information and Technology

  • SHAPE PHX
  • OCM & Technical
  • Business Applications
  • Mapping & Spatial Analysis
  • User Support

Financial, Budget, and Performance Measures

  • Revenue Forecasting
  • Fee Setting
  • Accounting
  • Budget
  • Procurements
  • Grants Statistics & Performance Measures
  • Audit
  • Cost Recovery

Growth and Infrastructure

  • Growth Forecasting
  • Infrastructure Planning
  • Development Impact Fees
  • Capital Funding & Financing

Payments and Submittals

  • Electronic Plan Review
  • Development Center Information
  • Plan Intake & Routing
  • Customer Payments


Plan Review

Jason Blakely
Jason Blakley, Assistant Director
jason.blakley@phoenix.gov
602-495-7346

What We Do

Meetings and Hearings

  • Development Advisory Board
  • Pre-Application & Preliminary Review
  • Technical Appeals
  • Utility Coordination
  • Inter-Department Coordination

Application Types

  • Building
  • Civil
  • Fire
  • Code Modifications/Interpretations
  • Site Plan
  • Landscape
  • Hillside
  • Plat
  • Abandonment
  • Dedication

Counters

  • Residential
  • Commercial
  • Fire
  • Site Development
  • Site Planning
  • Civil Permits & Addressing

General Questions
Call us at 602-262-7811

Office of Customer Advocacy (OCA), Ombudsman & Inspections

Sam McAllen
Sam McAllen, Assistant Director
sam.mcallen@phoenix.gov
602-534-9051

What We Do

Office of Customer Advocacy

  • Ombudsman
  • Adaptive Reuse Program
  • Small Business Assistance
  • Building Permit Extensions and Reinstatement
  • Downtown Alley Activation
  • Light Rail Construction Liaison
  • Vacant Storefront Program
  • Parklet Program
  • Special Event Liquor License Reviews

Building Permit Inspection Services

  • Annual Facilities Plan (AFP)
  • Commercial Inspections
  • Residential Inspections
  • Non-Permitted Inspections
  • Civil Inspections
  • Backflow Prevention
  • Elevators
  • Permit by Inspection (PBI)
  • Journeyman and Apprentice Licensing

Customer Service Team

  • Assist citywide customers via 602-262-7811


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​Joshua Bednarek, Planning and Development Department Director

Director, Joshua Bednarek

​​Joshua Bednarek is the Director of the City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department, the fifth largest city in the United States.

The Planning & Development Department works with the community to develop the long-range vision of the City. The department administers the zoning ordinance, reviews plans, issue permits, and inspects all construction projects. Planning & Development also includes the Historic Preservation Office, which manages the City's historic resources and historic neighborhoods. The department has a $62 million annual budget and employs 400 staff for a 519-square-mile city.

Bednarek has worked in various positions in planning for more than 20 years and has held several board positions with the Arizona Chapter of the American Planning Association. He holds a Bachelor's in Political Science from the University of Arizona and a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning from Arizona State University.

Director's Office

Process Improvements

The Planning and Development Department's Process Improvements Report highlights continuing efforts to streamline and enhance the department's services. ​​

​Process Improvements Report (PDF)2023-24 Listening Sessions (YouTube)​​

Other Resources

Section ​Superviso​rs​ Contact List (PDF)​

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