Site Plan Review

Overview

Site Plan Review (SPR) and the approval process is generally for new residential development involving four or more dwelling units and one- and two-family dwelling development on very large lots, new commercial buildings and additions, or parking lot reconstructions that involve more than a partial mill and overlay. Regulations regarding Site Plan Review are found in Section 61.400 of the Zoning Code.

A site plan must be submitted to and approved by the planning commission before a permit is issued for grading or the erection or enlargement of any building except for development of three or fewer dwelling units and including the list of development types specified in Zoning Code Sec. 61.402(b) . Most projects are delegated to City staff for review and approval, but staff may recommend that the project be reviewed by the Planning Commission.

Process

1. Preliminary Meeting (Recommended, but optional)

   • When your design team is ready to apply, you may schedule one preliminary virtual meeting with staff to review the requirements for a complete application.

   • Please note: staff cannot provide detailed plan reviews or feedback before an application is submitted.

   • To request a prelim meeting, email SitePlanReview@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

2. Submit Your Application

   • All site plans are reviewed electronically through PAULIE.

     Get Ready to Apply in PAULIE

3. Site Plan Review Meeting

   • Once your application is received, staff will schedule a virtual Site Plan Review (SPR) meeting.

   • City staff and partner agencies will provide written feedback, required revisions, and important notes during this meeting.

   • After the SPR meeting, you will receive a conditional approval letter. This letter lists the corrections and outstanding comments from staff during the first review cycle, along with standard notes (such as requirements for permits, inspections, or coordination with other City departments). The letter is not final approval but provides clear direction on what must be addressed in your revised site plan.

   • A conditional approval letter is an appealable action under Leg. Code Sec. 61.701 – Administrative Appeals. Appeals must be filed with the Zoning Administrator within ten days of the letter date.

4. Revise, Resubmit, and Final Approval

   • Submit a revised site plan that addresses all required revisions. If any comments or corrections remain "Unresolved" or "Not Met", the project will be returned for additional review cycles until all required changes are resolved. City staff are given two weeks to complete their reviews for each review cycle.

   • Once all outstanding corrections have been marked "Resolved," the final site plan approval letter will be emailed to the applicant, architect, and the civil engineer for the project.

   • After final approval is granted, any required building permits may be issued. Site plan review can run concurrently with the building permit process and with reviews for variances, conditional use permits (CUPs), or plats; however, final site plan approval will not be issued until any required variances, CUPs, or preliminary plats are approved.

   • Final approval may also be appealed to the Planning Commission within ten days of the approval letter date, per Leg. Code Sec. 61.701 – Administrative Appeals. Appeals must be filed with the Zoning Administrator.

For more details about the Site Plan Review process, please see the resources below.

Resources for design professionals

• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
• Landscaping
• Neighborhood Councils
• Sediment Control
• Standard Site Plan Reviewer Comments
• Stormwater Management
• Transportation Study Guidelines
• Tree Preservation
• Zoning Code – Land Use Definitions and Development Standards
• Zoning Code – Regulations of General Applicability
• Zoning Code – Zoning District Uses, Density and Dimensional Standards