Development Review Process

If you are interested in developing property, annexing property, changing the zone or land use on property, or want to amend the City Development Code, this is a summary of the process. 

This process allows architects, engineers, building contractors, developers, residents, and City staff to work together to review site plans, projects, and ordinance amendments to identify and discuss any problems or issues through each step of the development process.

Step 1: Concept Plan Review Meeting

The first step in developing is a Concept Plan Review Meeting, which is a basic review of your request to see if it meets the basic requirements of the American Fork Municipal Code. No formal plans are required for this meeting; however, basic concept plans allow staff to provide more thorough feedback. Concept Plan Review Meetings are scheduled on Mondays between 10 am -12:00 pm, in 30-minute online appointment sessions. Contact Development Services at 801-763-3060 to schedule an appointment. If your project is ready, the next step is with the Development Review Committee. 

If your project is not ready to move forward, you will be given suggestions, and you may reschedule for another Concept Plan Review Meeting.

Step 2: Development Review Committee

The Development Review Committee (DRC) is a group of City employees from the Engineering, Fire, Planning and Zoning, and Building divisions who identify and discuss any problems or issues in the early stages of a project. Following the Concept Plan Review Meeting, you will be given an Application Form listing the items you need to prepare for the Development Review Committee (see Planning Department Application Forms)

Check our fee schedule for application fees. Submit ALL the required documents electronically to applications@americanfork.gov in a One Drive or Dropbox link or on a USB submitted to the Development Services Department, 275 East 200 North, American Fork, UT, 84003. Once all required documentation has been submitted and fees paid, your application will be in process for its first review. 

After the DRC has reviewed your application, you will receive comments back from each division. Upon receipt of your DRC comments, you will be given a Summary of Findings, which provides guidance on whether to resubmit to DRC or prepare and submit for the Planning Commission. If needed, you will be given the opportunity to meet with the DRC. Meetings are held on Thursdays from 10:00 to 12:00 in 30-minute appointments. Following this meeting, revised plans can be submitted for review.

Step 3: Planning Commission

Following DRC, and when staff has determined that an application meets the requirements of the American Fork Municipal Code, staff will schedule your project on the nearest Planning Commission Agenda. Applicants who do not meet code with their submittal may exercise their rights under the Utah State Code to request that their project be brought before the Planning Commission for consideration. Planning Commissions submissions are due on Wednesdays at 10 am, 2 weeks prior to a Planning Commission meeting to allow adequate time for staff to ensure all corrections have been addressed, and to prepare a staff report related to the project and agenda item. Staff will review your corrections and schedule you for the next available Planning Commission meeting once all corrections have been made in accordance with American Fork’s Municipal Code. Some submissions require additional time for submission due to the requirements of correctly noticing certain proposals, as required by the Utah State Code. Please contact staff for further information on these time requirements. 

The Planning Commission consists of seven members, selected among the residents of the city, who make recommendations to the City Council or approve land use projects. 

Attend the Planning Commission Meeting, which is normally held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. The Planning Commission may request corrections to your project to return to another meeting, table for more deliberation, or make a recommendation to the City Council.

Step 4: City Council

The City Council is the Land Use Authority of the City in all Legislative matters. Following a recommendation from the Planning Commission, the City Council gives final approval to projects. The City Council may approve, table, or deny your project or request corrections to your project to return to another meeting.

Step 5: Permitting Process and Recording

When your project meets all conditions of approval, has met all American Fork City Code requirements, and has been approved by the City Council, you are ready to begin the recording and permitting process. Please contact the Development Review Engineer (801-763-3060), Chief Building Official (801-763-3065), and the City Recorder (801-763-3000) to complete your project.