Requests for annexation may be received at anytime by the Planning Division. Additional information can be requested by staff to complete the application. The State of Iowa established the procedure that the City and the applicant must follow to process and application request. Please be advised that the annexation process can take some time to gain State approval following the Marion City Council's support of the request.

To Apply:

Complete the Application and submit to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Chapter 340-8.1, Architectural Design Standards and Site Development Plan Review process was implemented in the interest of promoting quality architecture and building construction while protecting the value of buildings and property. The way in which a site is laid out impacts surrounding properties, and it is in the best interest of the public to have thoughtfully planned sites.

All commercial, office, public institutional, and multi-family projects shall follow the Architectural Design Standards and Site Development Plan Review process, except those located within a Planned Unit Development zoning district or within one of the designated Central Corridor Zoning Districts.

All industrial / manufacturing projects shall only follow the Site Development Plan Review process (without Architectural Design Standards), except those located within a Planned Unit Development zoning district.

A complete application must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the first business day of every month for the following month's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

To Apply:

1. Refer to the Schedule for application deadlines and meeting dates.
2. Complete the Project Application and Required Checklist
3. Submit application, checklist, and all required documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes about 1.5 months from submission deadline to final consideration. We recommend that you or a representative is present at all meetings in which your request is acted upon.

A permit is required by City Code to raise chickens or ducks in the city limits. Requests for urban chickens or ducks may be received at any time by the Planning Division.

If you are planning to sell any of your chickens/ducks and/or any eggs you may be subject to Chapter 340-9.11, Home Occupations of the Marion Code of Ordinances. Please contact the Planning Division for more information regarding home occupations.  

To Apply:

1. Review Ch. 117, Article II, Urban Chickens and Ducks of the Marion City Code
2. Complete a class in Urban Chicken/Duck raising and receive your Certificate 
3. Complete the Application
4. Submit application and supporting documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes 5-7 business days from submission to final issuance of a permit. 

Additional Resources:

• Chicken & Duck Handout

A comprehensive plan amendment may be required if the Future Land Use Map designation does not align with the land use for the desired project. More often than not, if a Comprehensive Plan Amendment is required, so is a Rezoning request.

A comprehensive plan amendment request must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the first business day of every month for the following month's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

To Apply: 

1. Meet with staff to determine what land use designation would be required for your project request and to go over deadlines and meeting dates
2. Complete the Project Application including a brief letter explaining the project request, indicating the current and proposed land use designation with map
3. Submit application and supporting documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes about three months from submission deadline to final consideration. We recommend that you or a representative is present at all meetings in which your request is acted upon.

Conditional uses are those uses having certain special or unique characteristics which require careful review of their location, design, configuration, and impacts to the surrounding area to determine the desirability of granting the request. These uses may or may not be appropriate in a particular location as consideration in each case looks at the public need, public benefit, local impact, and specific site plan.

A conditional use request must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the first business day of every month for the following month's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting.

To Apply:

1. Review Chapter 340-11.1F, Conditional uses of the Marion City Code
2. Refer to the Schedule for application deadlines and meeting dates
3. Complete the Application
4. Submit application and supporting documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes about two months from submission deadline to final consideration. We recommend that you or a representative is present at all meetings in which your request is acted upon.

The City requires that a Drainage (Fence) Hold Harmless Agreement Application be filled out and returned to the Planning Division if the fence will be installed within a City easement, such as drainage or sewer easements. The Planning Division, Engineering and Public Service departments review the application along with a provided site plan of the property indicating the location of the proposed fence and easements.

Submission of an agreement application does not mean the installation of a fence in an easement will be approved by the City. Due to topography and varying drainage areas, each agreement application is reviewed as a unique situation.

When work needs to be performed within easements, utility workers have the right to remove and not replace anything located in that easement, i.e.: fences, landscaping, play structures, etc.

To Apply:

1. Complete the Application
2. Submit application and supporting documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes 5-7 business days from submission to final approval of agreement.

Requests to final plat property are typically proceeded by a preliminary plat where unplatted land is indicated on a map as to how it will be subdivided between individual lots, out-lots, and right-of-way prior to being recorded with the county. Final plats shall meet all Subdivision and Zoning Regulations.

A complete application must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the first business day of every month for the following month's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

To Apply:

1. Refer to the Schedule for application deadlines and meeting dates
2. Complete the Project Application and Required Checklist
3. Submit application, checklist and all required documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes about 2-3 months from submission deadline to final consideration. Staff will not forward your request to City Council until you have given notice to the Planning Division to do so. We recommend that you or a representative is present at all meetings in which your request is acted upon.

A Conditional Use must be approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment in order for staff to approve a Honey Bee Permit so applications for both requests should be submitted together.

The Conditional Use request and the corresponding Honey Bee Permit application must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the first business day of every month for the following month's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting.

To Apply:

1. Review Ch. 340-9.33, Urban Agriculture within the Marion City Code regarding honey bees
2. Refer to the Schedule for application deadlines and meeting dates
3. Complete the Honey Bee Application
4. Complete Conditional Use Application
5. Submit applications and supporting documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes about two months from submission deadline to final consideration and issuance of a permit. We recommend that you or a representative is present at all meetings in which your request is acted upon.

Plat of Surveys allow for the transfer of property only. Requests may be submitted to the Planning Division at anytime.  

To Apply:

1. Complete the Project Application
2. Submit application and plat documents to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes 1.5 months from submission deadline to final consideration. We recommend that you or a representative is present at all meetings in which your request is acted upon.

Preliminary plats are typically required prior to proceeding with a final plat. Preliminary plats indicate how unplatted land will be subdivided between individual lots, out-lots, and right-of-way prior to being final platted. Preliminary plats shall meet all Subdivision and Zoning Regulations.

A complete preliminary plat application must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the first business day of every month for the following month's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. 

To Apply:

1. Refer to the Schedule for application deadlines and meeting dates
2. Complete the Project Application and Required Checklist
3. Submit application, checklist, and all required documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes about 2-3 months from submission deadline to final consideration. We recommend that you or a representative is present at all meetings in which your request is acted upon.

Rezoning procedures have been established by Chapter 340-11.3 to assist staff, Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council to review and determine the merits of each rezoning application.  Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council recesses and continuances may lengthen the rezoning process.

A complete rezoning application must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the first business day of every month for the following month's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. 

To Apply:

1. Refer to the Schedule for application deadlines and meeting dates
2. Draw a rezoning map labeling the current and proposed districts 
3. Complete the Project Application and Required Checklist
4. Submit application, checklist and all required documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes about 3-6 months from submission deadline to final consideration. We recommend that you or a representative is present at all meetings in which your request is acted upon.

All signs require a completed sign application to be filed with the Planning Division. Signs installed in the City of Marion must be installed by a licensed sign contractor to ensure proper installation and conformance to City Code.

Signs may NOT be erected or placed in the City owned right-of-way, which is typically the area between the curb and sidewalk. If no sidewalks are present a typical "safe" setback would be a minimum of 15' from back of curb; please verify this setback with a member of the Planning Division prior to installing signs. Signs placed within the right-of-way or on utility structures may be removed by city personnel. This regulation applies to temporary signs as well (i.e. garage sale, open house and political signs).

To Apply for a Sign Contractor's License:

1. Complete the Application
2. Submit application and supporting documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division,1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

To Apply for a Sign Permit:

1. Review Ch. 340-8.3, Signs of the Marion City Code 
2. Complete the Application
3. Submit application and supporting documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

The review process for a Sign Contractor's License typically takes up to 5 business days from submission to final issuance of a license. The review process for a Sign Permit typically takes 1-2 weeks from submission to final issuance of a permit.

The City can vacate and sell city owned streets and alleys when they are no longer required for public access. The street/alley must first be vacated which turns it from public right-of-way to a city property that can then be sold. Streets and alleys may only be sold to the adjacent property owners.

Requests for a street/alley vacation must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the first business day of every month for the following month's Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting.

The purchase price of the former right of way is a calculation of 100% of the average assessed land values of the adjacent properties.

To Apply:

1. Complete the Application
2. Submit application and supporting documentation, including a letter indicating which portion of the alley you would like to vacate / purchase to: 

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes about 3-4 months from submission deadline to final consideration. We recommend that you or a representative is present at all meetings in which your request is acted upon.

Urban Farm Permit applications may be submitted at anytime to the Planning Division. A Conditional Use, Building Permit and/or an Electrical Permit may also be required depending on the request. Make sure the application is complete and all necessary documents are submitted with the application.

To Apply:

1. Review Ch. 340-9.33, Urban Agriculture of the Marion City Code regarding urban farms
2. Complete the Application
3. Submit application and supporting documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes 5-7 business days from submission to final issuance of a permit.

Supporting Documents:

If you wish to keep chickens or ducks, a separate permit application will need to be submitted to the Planning Division.

A variance is a process by which the applicant can seek relief from the regulations of Chapter 340 (Zoning Regulations).  A typical variance request includes relief from a required setback from a property line or adjacent structure. 

Requests for variances must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on the last week day of the month for the following month's Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting.

To Apply:

1. Review Chapter 340-11.1E, regarding the general standards of review and the requirements for a variance you need to demonstrate to the Board for which their decision is based upon   
2. Complete the Application
3. Submit application and supporting documentation to:

• Community Development - Planning Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or email to the address listed on the application

Timeline:

This process typically takes about one month from submission deadline to final consideration. We recommend that you or a representative is present at all meetings in which your request is acted upon.