The Community Development Department (CDD) focuses on creating a livable community that balances the needs of residents, property owners, and businesses. CDD is responsible for the review of development and building activity to ensure compliance with zoning, building and fire codes, achievement of economic development goals, and establishing and advancing the City's General Plan and other citywide initiatives. Specifically, CDD assists the community in establishing:

• Safe buildings 
• Land use plans
• Economic strategies and business support services
• Quality design of new development through the City's development review process

The Department also provides technical and policy support to the City Manager and other City Departments.

The Department is comprised of three Divisions:

• Building reviews all construction plans and inspects buildings to ensure compliance with building and fire codes.

• Economic Development manages programs to expand the local economy, liaisons between businesses and the City organization and guides redevelopment of city-owned lands. This Division is the liaison to the Downtown Committee and Visual Arts Committee.

• Planning is responsible for preparing and implementing the City's General Plan and zoning regulations, in addition to processing and reviewing applications for new development, new or modified land uses, and the preparation and implementation of long-range plans regarding growth, sustainability, and housing citywide. This Division is the liaison to the Development Review Committee, the Administrative Zoning/Subdivision Committee, and the Environmental Planning Commission.