Throughout the compliance process, a developer must conduct or pay for extensive studies, provide the city or county with detailed information about his development plans, undergo reviews, obtain permits and approvals, undergo inspections and obtain certificates of occupancy.

The City of San Diego Development Services breaks its compliance process down into seven steps:
1. Project Definition
2. Site Information
3. Discretionary Review
4. Plan Review
5. Permits and Approvals
6. Inspection
7. Occupancy

In the initial stage of a complex project, the project's architects review the city or county's general plan, its goals and intentions. They familiarize themselves with the zoning ordinances and environmental and other regulations that apply to the parcels of land for which the development is proposed.

The developer, his architects and consultants develop a concept that they believe conforms with zoning ordinances and other regulations. They may test their concept with citizen groups and public officials.

The developer prepares documents, schematic drawings and diagrams of the proposed project. The documentation describes and shows the project location, proposed types of use, general densities, public facilities and other aspects of the project.

In a preliminary review, the developer’s team meets with the city or county planning or development officials. They discuss the concept and determine the approval process for the project. The planning or development officials check the proposal against official plans and regulations and define issues that the developer must address.

If the project has the potential for significant adverse environmental impact, then city or county officials hire an outside consultant at the developer's expense. The consultant prepares an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

To apply for approval of the project, the developer submits detailed and comprehensive drawings, diagrams and descriptions of the project. The city or county’s development guidelines specify the information and documentation required and the format in which it must be submitted.

The column to the right lists some of the information that the City of San Diego may require or recommend that a developer submit to obtain a development permit.

Once a developer submits a formal application for a development permit, city or county staff reviews the project plan against zoning ordinances and environmental and other regulations. They meet with the developer's team to resolve any problems they might identify.

After the evaluation by city or county staff, the developer's team prepares their final plans and submits them to the city or county.

City or county staff prepares a final report on the proposed project and make their recommendations to public officials.

As part of the review process for a complex project, the city or county announces and holds a public hearing on the project and its design. At the hearing, community and environmental groups, owners of adjacent property and citizens can voice any concerns they have about the design of the project.

Working together, public officials, the developer's team and city or county staff propose and negotiate any modifications to project plans that might be necessary to obtain approval.

Public officials approve the application for the development permit, approve the application with conditions or deny the application.

If a development plan is not in full compliance with current zoning ordinances, the developer may request a zoning variance or re-zoning of the parcels of land under development.

A variance is a limited waiver of requirements set by the zoning ordinance. Before city or county officials can grant a variance, they must hold a public hearing.

If a developer proposes a use that is not allowed in the zone under development, then a change of zone (rezoning) is required for that use to occur. The local planning commission and the city council or county board of supervisors must hold public hearings before property may be rezoned.

The council or board is not obligated to approve requests for rezoning and, in most cities, must deny such requests when the proposed zoning change conflicts with the general plan.