Planning staff serve as advisors to the citizens that make up the following boards and commissions:

• Planning Commission
• Zoning Board of Appeals
• Commission on Architecture and Urban Design (CAUD)

Relevant document(s) must be completed for development projects requiring review by the Planning Department, the Planning Commission or the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Prior to submitting an application, it is recommended that you attend a Tuesday afternoon Pre-Development Meeting. At that time, staff will help you determine which of the applications below are necessary for your project. Appointments can be made with the Planning Department at (607) 772-7028.

Administrative Planning Review Application

CAUD Design Review Application

CAUD Determination of Significance

CAUD Project Checklist

Fence Permit

Floodplain Development Permit Application

Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF)

Planning Commission Review Application

Short Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF)

Sign Permit

Supplemental Stormwater (URRP) Form

Traffic Board Application

Traffic Code

Zoning Board of Appeals Application

Zoning Code

Zoning Compliance Form

Under provisions of the Code of Ordinances, Chapter § 265-14, Vacant Building Registry and Maintenance, any structure located in the City of Binghamton that becomes vacant must be registered in the Vacant Property Program, within thirty (30) days of vacancy.

Vacancy is defined as, "A building, a portion of a building, or a structure which is any one or more of the following conditions apply: unoccupied and unsecured; unoccupied and secured by other than normal means; unoccupied and an unsafe building as determined by an enforcement officer; unoccupied and enforcement office has issued an order to correct code violations; illegally occupied; or unoccupied for a period of time over 30 days."

The property owner is required to submit a vacant building plan, subject to review and approval. The plan identifies one of three methods for disposition of the property: demolition; secure vacancy; rehabilitation for reoccupation and reuse. A detailed plan for any option selected is required to complete registration.

Special provisions for absentee property owners, property managers, lienholders, and real estate agents apply.

The Vacant Property Registration program requires annual renewal and is subject to periodic inspection and evaluation to ensure compliance with the expressed disposition plan.

Vacant Property Registration

The City's 2014 Comprehensive plan, Blueprint Binghamton, was funded by a $500,000 grant award from the federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities. By securing this award, the city has been designated a “Preferred Sustainability Status” (PSS) community by the federal partnership (HUD-DOT-EPA). Among other things, this exclusive designation can earn the city and our partners additional points when submitting applications to certain federal grant programs. To learn more about PSS communities, of which there are only about 90 nationwide, please visit HUD's website.

If you are preparing an application to a federal agency—specifically HUD, EPA, or DOT—we may be able to certify that your project is consistent with our PSS guidelines and make you eligible for these additional points. Please complete the city’s PSS Certification Form and submit to the Planning Department.