Find application requirements, prepare your plans, and learn how development projects are reviewed in Blue Springs.

Before you apply

Discuss your project with Planning before preparing a formal submission. Staff can help identify the applications, review steps, fees, and supporting materials needed for your property. More than one application may be needed.

Pre-application meetings

Bring a written description of the proposed use, scope, and estimated timeline, along with a sketch site plan showing building locations, driveways, parking, approximate building area, general layout, and any proposed phases. A hand-drawn sketch may be used for this preliminary discussion.

Pre-application comments are advisory, based on the information provided, and may change during formal review. A meeting does not constitute project approval.

Development review process

  1. Discuss your project: Meet with staff to identify zoning, access, infrastructure, and application needs.
  2. Prepare and submit: Complete the applicable applications and supporting plans. Ask staff which planning applications may be reviewed concurrently.
  3. Technical review: Staff review the submission for compliance and provide comments or requests for revisions.
  4. Meetings and decisions: Attend the required Planning Commission, City Council, or Board of Adjustment meetings for your application.
  5. Complete approval conditions: Provide required revisions, infrastructure documents, and recorded documents, when applicable.
  6. Permits and construction: Coordinate building and site permits with staff. Confirm whether concurrent permit review is available and which approvals are required before permits can be issued or work begins.
  7. Inspections and occupancy: Complete required inspections and obtain the applicable occupancy approval and business license before operations begin.

Subdivision projects may also require approved infrastructure plans, applicable land disturbance permits, inspections, as-built drawings, final plat approval, and recording. Staff will identify the sequence for your project.

Planning applications and requirements

Expand an application type below to review its checklist. These are standard submittal requirements from the Planning Application Requirement Guidebook. Additional information may be needed based on site conditions, applicable codes, or staff review. If an item does not apply, explain why in your submission and confirm with staff.

Conditional Use

For a use that is conditionally permitted in the property’s zoning district.

Submission checklist

  • Completed application
  • Legal description of the property in a Word document
  • Complete PDF plan set with appropriate professional seals
  • Additional documents requested during the pre-application meeting, such as HOA documents, drainage studies, or traffic studies
  • Written narrative

Plan set contents

  • Project title
  • Legal description
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan
  • Landscape plan
  • Floor plan
  • Signage plan

Meetings and review: Pre-application, Planning Commission, and City Council. Plan sets and professional seals apply where applicable.

Rezoning

For a proposed change to the property’s zoning district.

Submission checklist

  • Completed application
  • Legal description of the property in a Word document
  • Complete PDF plan set with appropriate professional seals
  • Additional documents requested during the pre-application meeting, such as HOA documents, drainage studies, or traffic studies
  • Written narrative

Plan set contents

  • Project title
  • Legal description
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan

Meetings and review: Pre-application, Planning Commission, and City Council.

Preliminary Plat

For the proposed layout of lots, streets, easements, and infrastructure in a new subdivision.

Submission checklist

  • Completed application
  • Legal description of the property in a Word document
  • Complete PDF plan set with appropriate professional seals
  • Additional documents requested during the pre-application meeting, such as HOA documents, drainage studies, or traffic studies
  • Title report
  • Letter regarding contiguous property owners

Plan set contents

  • Project title
  • Legal description
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan
  • Purpose statement
  • Easement language
  • GIS data

Meetings and review: Pre-application and Planning Commission; City Council considers appeals.

Final Plat

For the final subdivision document to be approved and recorded.

Submission checklist

  • Completed application
  • Legal description of the property in a Word document
  • Complete PDF plan set with appropriate professional seals
  • Additional documents requested during the pre-application meeting, such as HOA documents, drainage studies, or traffic studies

Plan set contents

  • Project title
  • Legal description
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan
  • Purpose statement
  • Easement language
  • Signature blocks
  • GIS data

Meetings and review: Pre-application, Planning Commission, and City Council.

Administrative Plat

For qualifying minor lot line adjustments, minor subdivisions, conveyance plats, revised final plats, and townhouse plats.

Submission checklist

  • Completed application
  • Legal description of the property in a Word document
  • Complete PDF plan set with appropriate professional seals
  • Additional documents requested during the pre-application meeting, such as HOA documents, drainage studies, or traffic studies
  • Title report

Plan set contents

  • Project title
  • Legal description
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan
  • Purpose statement
  • Signature blocks
  • GIS data

Meetings and review: Pre-application; processed administratively when eligible.

PD/PUD/PR-O Concept Plan and General Development Plan

For the overall development concept, uses, layout, open space, phasing, and proposed development standards.

Submission checklist

  • Completed application
  • Legal description of the property in a Word document
  • Complete PDF plan set with appropriate professional seals
  • Additional documents requested during the pre-application meeting, such as HOA documents, drainage studies, or traffic studies
  • Written narrative

Plan set contents

  • Project title
  • Legal description
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan
  • Existing conditions
  • Open space plan
  • Illustrative plans

Meetings and review: Pre-application, Planning Commission, and City Council.

PD/PUD/PR-O Final Plan

For detailed plans implementing an approved concept or general development plan.

Submission checklist

  • Completed application
  • Legal description of the property in a Word document
  • Complete PDF plan set with appropriate professional seals
  • Additional documents requested during the pre-application meeting, such as HOA documents, drainage studies, or traffic studies

Plan set contents

  • Project title
  • Legal description
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan
  • Existing conditions
  • Landscape plan
  • Floor plan
  • Signage plan
  • Photometric plan
  • Civil plans

Meetings and review: Pre-application and Planning Commission.

Site Plan / Design Review and Administrative SPDR

For detailed review of site layout and building design against development standards.

Submission checklist

  • Completed application
  • Legal description of the property in a Word document
  • Complete PDF plan set with appropriate professional seals
  • Additional documents requested during the pre-application meeting, such as HOA documents, drainage studies, or traffic studies

Plan set contents

  • Project title
  • Legal description
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan
  • Existing conditions
  • Landscape plan
  • Floor plan
  • Signage plan
  • Photometric plan
  • Civil plans

Meetings and review: Pre-application. Staff will confirm the applicable review route for your project.

PD/PUD Final Plan and SPDR

For combined final planned development and site plan/design review.

Submission checklist

  • Completed application
  • Legal description of the property in a Word document
  • Complete PDF plan set with appropriate professional seals
  • Additional documents requested during the pre-application meeting, such as HOA documents, drainage studies, or traffic studies

Plan set contents

  • Project title
  • Legal description
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan
  • Existing conditions
  • Landscape plan
  • Floor plan
  • Signage plan
  • Photometric plan
  • Civil plans

Meetings and review: Pre-application and Planning Commission.

Variance

For requested relief from a specific development standard based on the property’s unique circumstances.

Submission checklist

  • Completed application
  • Legal description of the property in a Word document
  • Complete PDF plan set with appropriate professional seals
  • Additional documents requested during the pre-application meeting, such as HOA documents, drainage studies, or traffic studies
  • Written narrative addressing the variance criteria

Plan set contents

  • Project title
  • Legal description
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan

Meetings and review: Pre-application and Board of Adjustment.

Vacation

For a request to vacate a public property interest, such as right-of-way, an alley, or an easement.

Submission checklist

  • Completed application
  • Legal description of the property in a Word document
  • Complete PDF plan set with appropriate professional seals
  • Additional documents requested during the pre-application meeting, such as HOA documents, drainage studies, or traffic studies
  • Written narrative
  • Letters of consent

Plan set contents

  • Project title
  • Legal description
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan

Meetings and review: Pre-application, Planning Commission, and City Council.

Master / Alternative Sign Plan

For a coordinated sign plan for a property or development.

Submission checklist

  • Completed application
  • Legal description of the property in a Word document
  • Complete PDF plan set with appropriate professional seals
  • Additional documents requested during the pre-application meeting, such as HOA documents, drainage studies, or traffic studies

Plan set contents

  • Project title
  • Legal description
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan
  • Wall elevations
  • Sign details

Meetings and review: Pre-application and Planning Commission.


How to submit

Apply online through Citizen Self Service | Find application forms

  1. Confirm the application type and current submittal schedule with Planning.
  2. Prepare the application, complete plan set, and supporting documents.
  3. Use the City’s online application process. If the correct application is unavailable, email developmentsubmittals@bluespringsmo.gov for assistance.

Contact Planning for current application forms, applicable fees, submission deadlines, and project-specific meeting dates before submitting. Incomplete applications or revisions may affect the review schedule.


Submittal checklists and plan requirements

General plan preparation

Identify the project, owner, plan preparer, date, legend, graphic scale, north arrow, and land classification. Provide professional certification and seals where required. Survey monuments must be tied to the Missouri State Plane Coordinate System. Include a purpose statement and dedication language for plats where applicable.

Site plan and existing conditions

Show dimensioned property boundaries, building footprints and floor areas, setbacks, access, circulation, sidewalks, parking and loading, bicycle parking, trash enclosures, screening, buffers, equipment, easements, utilities, and infrastructure. List required and proposed parking and identify phases where applicable.

Existing conditions plans identify structures, lot lines, streets, access, parking, sidewalks, fences, easements, rights-of-way, utilities, zoning, land uses, topography, drainage, floodplains, and sensitive environmental features on and around the site. The guidebook calls for surrounding conditions within 200 feet of the property boundary. Confirm map scales and project-specific detail with staff.

Landscape, lighting, civil, and open space plans

Landscape: Show existing and proposed landscaping, buffers, open space, water features, parking lot landscaping, and required calculations.

Lighting: Show exterior fixtures, mounting heights, fixture types, glare controls, and illumination levels in foot-candles to the property line.

Civil: Show utilities, stormwater facilities, grading, drainage, erosion controls, water quality measures, and floodplain information where applicable.

Open space: Identify open space tracts, acreages, streets, street trees, civic spaces, circulation, stormwater features, and natural features proposed for preservation.

Illustrative plans, elevations, and signs

Illustrations show proposed building height, massing, materials, architectural character, public spaces, screening, amenities, and transitions to surrounding uses. Sign plans include existing and proposed sign locations, dimensions, areas, materials, mounting heights, structural information, and illumination. Provide dimensioned wall elevations for walls containing signs.

Written narratives
  • Rezoning: Describe the project, current and requested zoning, consistency with the Comprehensive and Area Plans, surrounding uses, anticipated impacts, and reasons for approval.
  • Conditional use: Describe the project, operating hours, access, parking, circulation, surrounding compatibility, public realm impacts, and UDC compliance.
  • Concept / general development plan: Explain the vision, construction timeline, public interest, and requested differences from UDC standards.
  • Variance: Address unique property conditions, neighboring property, hardship, public interest, the spirit and intent of the code, and why the requested relief is the minimum necessary.
  • Vacation: Identify the type of vacation and explain the request.
Plats, easements, and recording

Coordinate final plat signature blocks and dedication or easement wording with Planning and Engineering before collecting signatures. Use the title Director of City Development in the applicable City signature block.

County recording requirements include consistent ownership and legal descriptions, required owner signatures, complete boundary and curve dimensions, required coordinate ties, subdivision naming, and dedication. Provide documentation for trusts, ownership or business name changes, and common areas where applicable.

Ask staff for the applicable utility, drainage, street, sidewalk, access, landscape, slope, temporary cul-de-sac, pedestrian access, or stormwater easement language and current recording instructions.

Public notices and hearings

Some applications require mailed, published, or posted public notice. Planning will confirm the applicable notice requirements, responsibilities, timing, sign placement, and publication costs for your application. Coordinate with staff before scheduling or posting notices.


Development resources and standards

Consult the adopted UDC for current zoning, permitted uses, dimensional standards, parking, landscaping, buffers, and frontage requirements. Guidebook summaries do not replace adopted regulations or project approval conditions.

Questions or help accessing application information?

Planning Administrative Assistant
816-622-4051
developmentsubmittals@bluespringsmo.gov
City Development Department, 903 W. Main Street, Blue Springs, MO 64015

Contact Planning for help finding your application, confirming requirements, or requesting information in an accessible format.