The mission of the Community Development Department is to guide the orderly development and continued revitalization of the community by maintaining and implementing the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.

The Community Development Department oversees every phase of development within the City. From the design of buildings, to the infrastructure to serve it, to the use of buildings, to the on-going maintenance of properties, all questions regarding private property development and use can be directed to the Community Development Department. The Department is organized in divisions: Building Permits, Planning and Zoning, Comprehensive Planning, Code Enforcement, Local Business Tax Receipts, and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

The Community Development Department issues permits for all new construction or modifications to existing developments (commercial, residential or industrial) in the City. Permits are issued on Saturdays by our Building Official. The permits follow the safety standards set forth in the Building Code and the City maintains a staff inspector, who is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He visits each job site to verify that the work has been performed to Code requirements. Adherence to the Building Code ensures that each project meets a minimum set of safety standards, which in turn helps preserve the value of the buildings and structures. The City of Bunnell also staffs a Fire Marshall for Plan Reviews and Codes, and a Fire Inspector.

The City has a knowledgeable Building staff that is available to assist you with whatever questions or needs you may have. You may make an appointment for any building or fire inspection at (386)437-7516. If you have any questions regarding work you are considering or other building-related concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Building Department during regular business hours. Monday thru Friday 8am-4pm.

There are two primary functions of the Planning Division: current and long range planning. Current planning involves the review of development projects, including anything from bedroom additions to residential subdivisions and new commercial centers. Projects are reviewed for matters such as compliance with zoning regulations, the effect the project will have on the environment, and compatibility with neighboring uses.

Long range planning, on the other hand, involves the establishment of regulations and long range plans for land use and development within the City. The type, size, location, and appearance of development on each property is determined through the Comprehensive Planning process. In essence, it establishes the objectives and framework under which current planning can effectively occur.

The Comprehensive Plan is a policy document that represents the official statement of the City regarding its social, physical, and economic goals. The adopted Comprehensive Plan includes chapters on land use, traffic circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, safety, community design, educational and cultural resources, and utility infrastructure. The Comprehensive Plan determines the potential growth of the City, including residential, commercial, and industrial growth. Then, it establishes goals to accommodate that growth.

The Land Development Code is designed to implement the goals of the Comprehensive Plan through detailed regulations. Each property in the City is designated a certain zone. The Zoning Ordinance, in turn, establishes the types of uses permitted at the location, intensity, and the size of structures within each zone.

Code Enforcement focuses on enforcing property maintenance, zoning requirements, and related provisions of the City of Bunnell Land Development Code. The codes help ensure that homeowners and surrounding residents are protected from potential health and safety risks in addition to maintaining Bunnell’s aesthetic integrity. The Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for responding to complaints or inquiries regarding violations of zoning, sign, land use ordinances, and public nuisances as well as being proactive in identifying and initiating cases. Code Enforcement Officers are knowledgeable of the Land Development Code and State and Federal Laws that apply. They work closely with business and homeowners to address property maintenance issues and with this cooperation this allows for the correction of code violations and helps to preserve the quality of life within the City's neighborhoods.

The Local Business Tax Receipt is imposed for the privilege of doing business in the City of Bunnell. Anyone that engages in any type of business within the City limits is required to have a City of Bunnell Local Business Tax Receipt.

All receipts are sold or renewed by the City beginning July 1 of each year, are due and payable on or before September 30 of each year, and expire on September 30 of the succeeding year. Receipts not renewed by September 30 become delinquent and subject to a penalty of 10% for the month of October and an additional 5% for each month of delinquency thereafter. However, the total delinquency penalty may not exceed 25 percent of the tax for the delinquent establishment. The fee for new Local Business Tax Receipts issued from April 1, through September 30, shall be one-half the regular annual license tax.

The City of Bunnell has fixed Business Tax fees as established by the City Commissioners. These fees are attached to a classification that would describe your business.

CRA stands for Community Redevelopment Agency. It is a public entity created by a city or county to implement community redevelopment activities. It is governed by a separate appointed board of five to seven members. A CRA is created when the governing body finds one or more areas within the city that have a need to rehabilitate, conserve and redevelop. After the CRA is created, the board, along with the agency, is required to prepare and adopt a redevelopment plan, which includes a detailed description of the boundaries for a redevelopment area.

TIF is a tool to use future gains in taxes to finance the current improvements that will create those gains. When a public project such as a road, school, or hazardous waste cleanup is carried out, there is an increase in the value of surrounding real estate, and often new investment (new or rehabilitated buildings, for example). This increased site value and investment creates more taxable property, which increases tax revenues. The increased tax revenues are the "tax increment". Tax Increment Financing dedicates that increased revenue to finance debt issued to pay for the project. TIF is designed to channel funding toward improvements in distressed or underdeveloped areas where development would not otherwise occur. TIF creates funding for public projects that may otherwise be unaffordable to localities.