PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission is responsible for planning and coordinating the physical, social and economic development of the City in accordance with the City charter, City code, and State statutes. The Planning Commission prepares, adopts, and implements a plan of conservation and development; reviews and recommends municipal improvements per section 8-24 of the State General Statutes; reviews and recommends City's Capital Projects program; adopts and amends subdivision regulations; and reviews and acts upon referrals from federal, state, and regional agencies.

ZONING COMMISSION
The Zoning Commission is responsible for regulating the use of land within the City. The Commission prepares, adopts and amends zoning regulations and the building zone map so as to control and direct the use and development of property. The Commission also reviews special permits, site plans and coastal site plan applications.

ZONING ENFORCEMENT & ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
The Zoning enforcement staff is responsible for the interpretation and enforcement of the zoning regulations. Zoning approvals are issued for construction projects and changes of use; certificates of zoning compliance are issued once a project is completed. In addition, zoning violations and complaints are investigated and appropriate follow-up action is taken. The zoning enforcement staff also provides support services to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). The ZBA is responsible for varying the zoning regulations where an applicant is found to have an unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty. The ZBA also hears and decides appeals from decisions of the zoning inspector and acts upon applications for motor vehicle licenses.