Academy track
Working With Planning Departments
Ask clearer questions, record answers, and avoid relying on vague verbal assumptions.
Designed for
Owners and professionals preparing for city or county conversations.
Lesson 1
Lead with APN, address, city, county, and project type
Jurisdiction identifies which planning and building departments control the parcel. The APN connects assessor, GIS, zoning, utility, and department records to the same property.
Practice: Record an APN, open the assessor and GIS sources, and document whether city or unincorporated county rules appear to apply.
Lesson 2
Ask which department owns each issue
A reliable feasibility workflow separates known facts, user assumptions, official sources, unanswered questions, and the professional work that may be required next.
Practice: Create a one-page record of facts, sources, open questions, responsible departments, and next actions for a sample property.
Lesson 3
Request code sections or written references where possible
A reliable feasibility workflow separates known facts, user assumptions, official sources, unanswered questions, and the professional work that may be required next.
Practice: Create a one-page record of facts, sources, open questions, responsible departments, and next actions for a sample property.
Lesson 4
Track names, dates, links, and follow-up tasks
A reliable feasibility workflow separates known facts, user assumptions, official sources, unanswered questions, and the professional work that may be required next.
Practice: Create a one-page record of facts, sources, open questions, responsible departments, and next actions for a sample property.
Use the supporting tools
TinyHomeNavigator provides educational information only. Rules vary by parcel, zoning district, city, county, overlay, utility provider, fire authority, and environmental health department. Always confirm directly with the local planning department, building department, environmental health department, fire authority, and utility providers before buying land, designing, permitting, placing, or building any structure.