City Planning is responsible for developing and implementing short and long-range plans, goals, and policies, as developed with the community and approved by the City Council, that reflect the needs and interests of residents and the city. The department fulfills four primary functions: 

• provision of long-range planning services;
• implementation of the city’s land use regulations; 
• implementation of federal, state, and local environmental programs, including the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, storm water management, and erosion control programs and;
• oversight of building safety during the construction process. 

City Planning provides input and staffs the City Planning Commission, the Wetlands Board, the Architectural Review Board, and the Zoning Appeals Board.