Planning

The Planning Division, within the Economic and Community Development Department, provides guidance on development and growth in accordance with the City’s General Plan, Specific Plans, Zoning Ordinance and State and Federal laws.

Current Planning – Our Planning team, in collaboration with the Building Division and other City departments reviews and processes new development applications and related environmental review for housing, mixed-use, commercial and industrial projects.

Long Range Planning – Our Planning team develops plans, programs and policies including updates to our General Plan, Specific Plans, Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map and other advanced planning efforts to guide new development in the City. Learn more by looking at our Long-Range planning projects currently underway.

PLANNING COUNTER HOURS & CONTACT

Phone: 510.675.5379

Email:  planning@unioncity.org 

Appointment:   http://www.calendly.com/ucplanning/appointment 

Phone/Email Hours: 

Monday - Thursday, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, Alternating Fridays, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Counter Hours: 

Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (in-person)

The fastest ways to contact us is at 510.675.5379 or via email at planning@unioncity.org. 

Still need assistance?

Book a 15-minute appointment to meet us via Zoom or by phone.  Please also indicate in the project address (Within Union City), project number, and details about your inquiry. If you prefer to meet in person, you must indicate that in your appointment request. Please note that in person meetings will be held by the Planner available in the office at that time. 

If you have a specific Planner working on your project you would like to meet with, please contact that Planner directly to schedule a time they are available.  

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT 

WALK-IN VISITS: Walk in visitors for Planning are also accepted at the Planning Counter, but visitors with an appointment will be given first priority.

Application submittals shall follow the instructions listed in the  Preliminary Review - Submittal Procedures  and Formal Review - Submittal Procedure. Applications, forms, and answers to many zoning and property information questions can be found below:

• Property Information & Zoning Ordinance
• Applications Forms & Fees
• Submittal Checklists & Requirements
• Planning Resources & Handouts
• Planning Documents
• CEQA Filings
• Requests for Proposals
• General Plan Information
• Adopted Policy Statements & Standards
• Related Links  appears to be an empty link with target #related-links  appears to be an empty link with target #related-links 

 appears to be an empty link with target http://www.calendly.com/ucplanning/appointment  appears to be an empty link with target http://www.calendly.com/ucplanning/appointment  appears to be an empty link with target http://www.calendly.com/ucplanning/appointment  appears to be an empty link with target http://www.calendly.com/ucplanning/appointment 

PROPERTY INFORMATION & ZONING ORDINANCE 

•  appears to be an empty link with target http://maps.digitalmapcentral.com/production/vecommunityview/cities/unioncity/index.aspx   appears to be an empty link with target http://maps.digitalmapcentral.com/production/vecommunityview/cities/unioncity/index.aspx Look up your zoning and property information - To find property information, including zoning information, visit the City’s Community View page
  • Instructions and Information on how to use Community View
• Zoning Ordinance (Title 18 of the Municipal Code) 

The PDF maps provided below are static maps and may not show the most recent changes. Please contact a planner to confirm the Zoning or General Plan Designation for a property. 

• Union City Zoning Map
• Union City General Plan Map
• Parcel or Tax Maps showing lot dimensions are available from the Alameda County Assessor’s website

APPLICATIONS, FORMS & FEES

 appears to be an empty link with target https://www.unioncity.org/DocumentCenter/View/139 

Preliminary Review

• Preliminary Review - Application, Checklist and Procedures  

Formal Review 

• Formal Review - Application, Checklist and Procedures

Temporary Commercial Signs  

• Temporary Commercial Signs Application

Zoning Conformance/Verification Review

• Zoning Verification Letter Application
• Zoning Conformance Review (for Business License)
  • Residential Application
  • Commercial/Industrial Application
  • If submitted electronically, the document shall be provided as one (1) complete PDF, applications electronically submitted in other formats will not be reviewed. (Please allow for a minimum of two weeks for processing) appears to be an empty link with target https://www.unioncity.org/DocumentCenter/View/2767/Zoning-Compliance-Review---Residential-Application?bidId= 

Planning Division Fees

• Planning Fees (Effective until June 30, 2024)

SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION CHECKLISTS & REQUIREMENTS

• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Requirements and Checklist
• Stormwater Checklist
• Landscape Plan Checklist
• Landscaping Policy Statement 

PLANNING RESOURCES & HANDOUTS

Residential

• Residential Development Standards (setbacks, height, and other standards for additions or new homes in the R, RS, and RM districts.)
• Requirements for Detached Accessory Structures (e.g. sheds, detached garages, etc.)
• Standards for Decks, Balconies, and Attached Patios
• Standards for Residential Walls, Fences and Hedges
• Residential Landscaping Requirements
• FEMA Flood Map Information
• California Earthquake Hazards Zone Map 
• Project Data Sheet – Residential

Commercial and Industrial 

• Commercial Development Standards  (setbacks, height, and other standards for additions or new structures in the CPA, CN, CC, CVR, and CS districts.)
• Project Data Sheet – Non-Residential
• Wireless Facilities Checklist

CURRENT PLANNING DOCUMENTS

• Archived Documents (Archive of current planning documents, including environmental)

 appears to be an empty link with target /DocumentCenter/View/4427/1998-Whipple-Road---Notice-of-Intent-  appears to be an empty link with target /DocumentCenter/View/4427/1998-Whipple-Road---Notice-of-Intent- 

 appears to be an empty link with target /DocumentCenter/View/4427/1998-Whipple-Road---Notice-of-Intent-  appears to be an empty link with target /DocumentCenter/View/4427/1998-Whipple-Road---Notice-of-InteREQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS

• None Active

LONG RANGE PLANNING DOCUMENTS 

• Long Range Planning Documents (General Plan, Specific Plans)

ADOPTED POLICY STATEMENTS & STANDARDS

•  appears to be an empty link with target https://www.unioncity.org/DocumentCenter/View/2747/Fast-Food-Drive-Through-Policy-Statement   appears to be an empty link with target https://www.unioncity.org/DocumentCenter/View/2747/Fast-Food-Drive-Through-Policy-Statement Fast Food Drive Through Policy Statement
•  appears to be an empty link with target /DocumentCenter/View/2830/Gas-Station-Marketeer-Policy-Statement Gas Station Marketeer Policy Statement
• Parking Standards 
• Seasonal Sales Lot Policy Statement  appears to be an empty link with target https://www.unioncity.org/DocumentCenter/View/2753/Seasonal-Sales-Policy-Statement-2012  appears to be an empty link with target https://www.unioncity.org/DocumentCenter/View/2753/Seasonal-Sales-Policy-Statement-2012 

RELATED LINKS

•  appears to be an empty link with target https://www.unioncity.org/199/City-Meetings-Video   appears to be an empty link with target https://www.unioncity.org/199/City-Meetings-Video Planning Commission Agendas & Minutes 
• Planning Commission Meetings (Calendar)
• Going Green
• Climate Action Plan  appears to be an empty link with target https://www.unioncity.org/379/Climate-Action-Plan  appears to be an empty link with target https://www.unioncity.org/379/Climate-Action-Plan