Nevada City’s Planning Department is administered by the City Planner. The Planning Department contracts with the County of Nevada Building Department to provide Building Department services. Start any building permit process with the City of Nevada City. It will then be referred to the County.

The Planner’s responsibilities cover both current and advanced planning activities. Current planning includes the processing of entitlement applications and local administration of the California Subdivision Map Act, California Environmental Quality Act, and state land use laws. Upon receipt of a complete application, the Planning Division will route the project plans and materials to appropriate City Agencies (Police, Public Works, City Engineer, Building Division), Local Agencies (Fire Department, County Transportation Commission, School District), and  regional, state or federal agencies for their review and comment.

Advanced planning responsibilities involves the maintenance of the the City’s General Plan and the various elements it contains. Advanced planning required coordination with regional planning agencies and the state to ensure consistency with the laws that govern land use, development, subdivision and environmental quality.

• Process land use and architectural review applications
• Perform environmental analysis pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• Implement the City’s Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances
• Answer general questions relating to land use or land development

Web pages from above with visible url links:

• Planning Department - https://www.nevadacityca.gov/pview.aspx?id=20703&catid=564