Department Overview
The Community Development Department is responsible for land development programs and services to help create a safe, healthy, and economically viable community. These programs provide guidance for new development and property maintenance as well as a long-term vision for the City contained in the General Plan.
Services
The services we provide are:
- Building Permits
- Environmental Review
- Housing Programs
- Redevelopment Activities
- Plan Review
- Code Inspection
- Planning and Zoning Review
Divisions
Community Redevelopment
Development Services Council Liaison Subcommittee
The Development Services Council Liaison Subcommittee meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm and serves as an opportunity for project applicants to meet with City staff and the Council Liaisons. To request an upcoming meeting, please complete an Application Form.
The City is currently in the process of updating the City’s primary housing policy document, the Housing Element of the General Plan. Please see the Housing Element Update webpage for more information.
La Mesa Transit Oriented Development Feasibility Study
The City is undertaking a study to evaluate the potential for creating transit oriented developments at two transit stations: the Amaya Drive Station and the Spring Street Station. Please see the La Mesa Transit Oriented Development Feasibility Study webpage for more information.
Temporary Outdoor Dining, Display, or Service Authorization
The City of La Mesa issued Executive Order 3-2020 on July 9, 2020, and Executive Order 4-2020 on July 16, 2020, which temporarily allow the use of public and private outdoor areas by business for dining, display of products, or provision of services, provided those businesses obtain written authorization from the Director of Community Development and comply with all social distancing and other COVID-19 related health orders and all other City, County (e.g., emergency orders, Department of Environmental Health), State (e.g., Alcoholic Beverage Control) and Federal laws (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act).
The Executive Orders were issued to provide opportunities for dining, retail, service, and other commercial businesses in light of the restrictions placed upon them by the State and San Diego County Public Health Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications to receive authorization for outdoor dining, or display or service, can be accessed at the links below, and temporary outdoor regulations established pursuant to the Orders are linked below and included with the appropriate applications. Businesses that propose temporary outdoor use areas within the public right-of-way must provide insurance in accordance with the Sidewalk Café Insurance Requirements, also attached to the applications and linked below. There is no fee charged to receive authorization to use public and private outdoor areas for dining.
Temporary Outdoor Dining Authorization Application
Temporary Outdoor Dining Regulations
Temporary Outdoor Display or Service Authorization Application
Temporary Outdoor Display or Service Regulations
Sidewalk Café Insurance Requirements
