The Planning and Development Branch is responsible for overall land use planning and development activity in the City of Saskatoon.  The primary goal of the Branch is to build an increasingly sustainable community over time, with an enhanced quality of life, consistent with the vision and core strategies of the City’s Strategic Plan. 

Through community engagement and consultation, the Branch seeks to understand the values of the community, and reflect those values through the implementation of development policies, programs, bylaws and standards. 

The mandate of the Branch includes primary responsibilities for district planning, future growth, land use and zoning policy, development review, planning for new neighbourhoods, revitalizing existing communities, affordable housing, community safety, community and demographic research, heritage management, and business licensing and bylaw enforcement.  The Branch works with community, business, First Nations and regional partners to foster mutually supportive relationships and sustainable development throughout the City and region. 

The Planning and Development Branch has four sections that work together to achieve the City's planning goals:

Development Review Section
The Development Review Section administers the City’s Zoning Bylaw, issues development permits, provides planning advice, administers neighbourhood concept plan, rezoning, discretionary use, subdivision and condominium conversion applications, issues sign licenses, and manages the Heritage Conservation program. This Section also manages the Legalizing Existing Suites program and investigates all land use complaints to ensure compliance with the Zoning Bylaw.

Future Growth, Mapping and Research Section
The Future Growth Section manages the City’s Development Plan and works with the Rural Municipality of Corman Park to manage land use and development in the Saskatoon Planning District. This section is also responsible for the Future Growth Strategy Group, sector plans, Treaty Land Entitlement matters, and the Naming Advisory Committee.

The Mapping and Research Section maintains a wealth of demographic data and mapping products for the City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon neighbourhoods. The Mapping and Research section is also involved in a number of research partnerships with city staff and community organizations.

Neighbourhood Planning Section
The Neighbourhood Planning Section manages a variety of neighbourhood based programs and initiatives including Affordable Housing, Development Incentive Programs such as the Enterprise Zone, Local Area Planning, Neighbourhood Redevelopment, Neighbourhood Safety and CPTED Reviews. The Neighbourhood Planning Section also provides planning assistance to the Business Improvement Districts, and offers educational opportunities to the public about the planning process.

Business License
This Section provides a number of important services such as the Business License Program, Business Start-Up Guide and the Saskatoon Business Directory. Annual reports and the Business Profile Newsletters keep you up-to-date on Saskatoon's business activities.