Development Review Process

The City of Niceville provides for three levels of development review processes and is committed to providing a clear, timely, and customer-friendly development review process that supports quality growth and investment in our community.  Below is a summary of the city's development review processes, a comprehensive list of our processes can be found in Section 2.05.00 of the Land Development Code.

For more information on proposed projects and for any questions or assistance, please contact the Planning Division at 850-279-6436 x.1205 or Email Planning Division.

Step 1.  Owner/Developer/Contractor wishes to make site/building improvements.

Step 2.  Choose 1 of the following 3 routes:

1. Building Permit Only

  • Includes:
    • Change of Use
    • Single Family Residential
    • Interior/Remodel Only
    • Facade/Exterior Only
    • Land Clearing Only
  • Staff Review
  • Review Time: 5 - 15 days


2. Minor Development Approvals

  • Includes:
    • Development activity involving combined land and water area of ≤ 2 acres or ≤ 10 residential units*
    • New non-residential uses ≤ 15,000 square feet*
    • Any development of any size within the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) boundary*
    • Development orders within approved PUDs*
  • Staff Review and Technical Review Committee (TRC) hearing required
  • Review Time: 4 - 6 weeks


3. Major Development Approvals

  • Includes: 
    • Development that is part of a larger parcel for which additional development is anticipated and that when aggregated with the project in question exceeds the limits of minor development criteria.
    • Residential project involving > 2 acres of combined land/water area or > 10 residential units
    • New non-residential uses > 15,000 square feet
    • Community Planned Unit Developments (C-PUD) of any size
    • Any development of any size within the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) requiring an overlay district
  • Staff Review, TRC hearing (recommendation), Planning Commission hearing (recommendation), City Council (final decision)
  • Review Time: 8 - 12 weeks