General Zoning Map Amendment Requests

General Rezoning Information

Pre-Application Meeting
A pre-application meeting is not required, but is recommended for applicants seeking to rezone parcel(s) for future development. The pre-application meeting allows for the applicant to learn about the review and development process, associated timelines, their expectations, and responsibilities.  

The following guides are also available for property owners and applicants to refer to:
     ○ Guide to General Rezoning Applications
     ○ Guide to General Rezonings and New Commercial, Industrial or Multifamily Construction
     ○ Guide to General Rezonings and Major Subdivisions

Additionally, all application deadline dates and meeting dates for both the Planning Board and City Council are available for reference.

Application Submittal
General rezoning applications are due at 12:00pm noon on the first business day of each month in order to be placed on the following month's Planning Board agenda. Please note that late or incomplete applications will not be processed. No substantive changes may be made to the application once it's submitted. The following information is required for a complete application submittal:
      • a completed General Rezoning Application
      • a $500 application fee (checks payable to City of Sanford; online payment options available upon request)
      • if the exterior boundary of the area to be rezoned does not follow existing property lines, the applicant must submit a metes and bounds (legal)
        description of the area to be rezoned

Public Hearings
A joint public hearing held before the Sanford Planning Board and City Council will be scheduled and advertised to the general public. The Sanford Planning Board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and the Sanford City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. Adjoining property owners and owners of property within 100ft of the subject parcel(s) under rezoning consideration are notified by certified mail of the public hearing.  Joint public hearings are generally held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Planning Board Review
On the same night as the public hearing, the Sanford Planning Board will review the rezoning request and make a determination of consistency with the Plan SanLee long-range plan. The Planning Board will also issue a recommendation for or against the rezoning request.

City Council Decision
At City Council's next regularly scheduled meeting, the public hearing and Planning Board meeting, City Council will receive the Planning Board's recommendation and make a final vote to approve or deny the rezoning request.  City Council's final vote on rezoning requests is typically held on the 1st Tuesday of the following month.