Development Services

The Development Services Department focuses on:

• Growth and its impacts on the physical character of the community
• Enforcement of codes for the health, safety, and welfare of Olathe’s citizens
• Helping the community achieve its desired future through implementation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan

The Department consists of three divisions:

I. The Building Codes Division
The Building Codes Division issues building permits, inspects construction projects, and ensures implementation of Olathe’s building codes. Building Codes staff also work to ensure that Olathe’s building codes are kept up-to-date. All of this work is directed toward protecting the health, safety, and general welfare of Olathe’s citizens.

Building Codes staff are organized by two primary functions: Building Permits and Building Inspections.

Building Inspections
Responsibilities include ensuring code-compliant building construction for the safety of tenants and long-term value to property owners.

Building Permits
Responsibilities include enforcing Olathe’s building codes to ensure safety and quality of construction. Staff reviews building plans and issues permits. Staff also provides information to developers, contractors, and others regarding building codes and building requirements.

Community Enhancement
Responsibilities include protecting, preserving and enhancing the community through the enforcement of code regulations on private property.

II. Housing Services Division
The Housing Services Division provides services and programs that help maintain and improve older neighborhoods as well as the quality of life for our elderly, disabled and low income families of Olathe.  Services offered include subsidized housing programs, home improvement programs, affordable transportation options and administration of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Alcohol Tax Funds.

Housing Authority
Responsibilities include providing subsidized housing assistance to low and moderate income families through our public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs. Participants in the Section 8 program have an opportunity to work toward economic sustainability through our Family Self Sufficiency and Homeownership Programs.

Housing Programs
Responsibilities include providing home improvement services to homeowners who lack the funds to make necessary physical improvements to their homes. Rehabilitation assistance can be used to make essential improvements, ensure current building codes are utilized and improve energy efficiency. Activities of this type serve to improve the living conditions of individual households as well as reviving neighborhoods and properties.

Transportation 
Responsibilities include providing safe, dependable and affordable transportation services through our Taxi Coupon Programs to older adults, disabled citizens and low income persons residing in Olathe. Our older adults and disabled citizens can utilize the coupons for general or medical trips while our low income citizens can obtain and retain employment. These services enable our citizens to maintain and/or improve their quality of life by being active, independent and working toward economic self-sufficiency.

III. Planning Services Division
The Planning Services Division helps Olathe to identify and achieve its desired future. This work includes both a future-oriented, long-range planning component and a current planning component that reviews specific proposals for development.

Downtown
Responsibilities include promoting and coordinating the Envision Olathe Downtown Plan, a comprehensive plan for the revitalization of downtown Olathe through the next 20 years.  The plan is built on the vision of downtown as a memorable place to live, work, and enjoy the highest quality of life.  Staff also works to facilitate and implement public and private redevelopment in downtown Olathe.

Current Planning
Responsibilities include review of re-zoning requests, site development plans, special use permits, and plats. Staff processes these applications and makes recommendations to the Planning Commission. Staff also provides information to the public about land use issues.

Long Range Planning
Responsibilities include implementing the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan and facilitating the preparation and update of future land use plans, corridor plans, and other specific plans. Staff also processes annexation requests and creates and maintains community profile information.

Neighborhood Planning 
Responsibilities include fostering neighborhood alliances, preserving and enhancing older developed neighborhoods, empowering neighbors and partnering with residents for the improvement of their area. Other responsibilities include historic preservation, neighborhood revitalization and facilitating neighborhood communication.

Other Planning Services Functions:

Zoning Enforcement
Responsibilities include conducting commercial and residential development inspections, review of sign permits, and enforcement of the Unified Development Ordinance, including home-based businesses, sign placement, and commercial outdoor storage and display areas.

Signs
Includes the review of sign permit applications for compliance with the Unified Development Ordinance, including sign height, size, materials, placement and method of illumination. This includes temporary signs, banners, and inflatable advertising devices.