City Development

The City Development Department is responsible for the planning and development of all residential and commercial neighborhoods along with the economic and redevelopment activities in the City. The goal of the Department’s seven divisions; Current Planning, Policy Planning, Code Compliance, Building Inspection, Business Development, and Development Engineering and GIS Services, is to improve the quality of life and provide opportunities for employment centers and a mix of housing types for the residents of Thornton.

Current Planning

The Current Planning Division ensures that all development within the City of Thornton meets the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and the standards and requirements adopted in the City’s Development Code. This division also serves as staff liaison to the Development Permits and Appeals Board. The Board hears development issues at public hearings to solicit public input.

Policy Planning

The Policy Planning Division is charged with the upkeep and implementation of the Thornton Comprehensive Plan. This division also prepares additional long-range growth documents for the City and provides analytical support on other local and regional growth issues. Housing related matters are coordinated by Policy Planning staff, including the distribution of housing related federal funds such as Community Development Block Grants. In addition, this division develops and maintains a statistical database for the City.

For information about the North Washington Subarea Plan, a project of the Policy Planning Division, use the following link... North Washington Subarea Plan.

Business Development

The success of businesses, large and small, is what creates the economic vitality of a City. The Business Development Division works both to attract new businesses to the City and support existing businesses. Business Development offers a wide range of programs and services to assist businesses and a professional staff to administer these programs.

Development Engineering

The Development Engineering Division performs plan review and inspection of all new development, both commercial and residential, in the City of Thornton. This division reviews the drainage, transportation, and public and private rights-of-way elements of each project. They also inspect all off-site improvements installed by private developers. For Capital Improvement Projects, please refer to Infrastructure Engineering Services .

Code Compliance

The Code Compliance Division is responsible for enforcing all City ordinances related to zoning and property maintenance through both voluntary compliance and by issuing warnings and/or citations to violators.

Building Inspection

The Building Inspection Division provides for the issuance of all building-related permits and the associated activities as they relate to the permits being issued. These activities would include, but not be limited to, plan review for all new construction, remodels, additions, and miscellaneous projects. The Division is responsible for the interpretation and enforcement of adopted model codes and standards of the City.

Geographic Information Services

The City Development GIS Services Division manages the City's GIS including customer service and support for City Development, City agencies located within the Civic Center, City Utilities, Parks, Open Space, Police and Fire Emergency Services. Land related information such as Parcel Identification Numbers, Property Address, Land Use, Zoning, Subdivision Names, etc. are linked from the Hansen data management system to GIS and then distributed internally throughout the organization using Intranet mapping applications. CD/GIS also provide customized mapping and data management functions to the City Manager's Office, City Council and the Development Permits and Appeals Board. Public and private agencies and Thornton citizens are encouraged to view digital maps currently provided on-line through the City's website.