Community Planning & Development

The Community Planning and Development Department offers a wide range of services and is responsible for all planning and zoning activities, building permit issuance and inspections and the overall administration and management of the Community Restoration and Preservation Fund Program.

Covid-19 Actions Taken

Due to concerns related to COVID-19, The City of Black Hawk is taking precautions to protect the health and safety of our customers, consultants, and employees. The City’s goal is to keep permitted projects moving forward. While the City of Black Hawk remains open for business, public contact is limited. Everyone must utilize our online, email, and telephone services to minimize social contact. Staff will continue to respond to all requests as promptly as possible.

The City requires permits for day to day work. The necessary forms are on the City’s website at http://site.cityofblackhawk.org/city-departments/community-planning-development/building-permit-inspections/.

Emergency Repairs are performed as stated under the 2015 IBC – Section 105.2.1: Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day to the building official.

The City is only accepting electronic permit submittals. More extensive submittals will require a link for the City to take the plans. Applicants should contact Janice Beecher at jbeecher@cityofblackhawk.org or Ashley Wilson at awilson@cityofblackhawk.org for submittal requirements and further assistance.

The City is requesting all applicants put non-critical work on hold until such time the job is performed and inspected in a safe environment.

For regulated Conveyance owners, the City will provide a 30-day extension to any compliance-related deadline that occurred in March or April of 2020 but not inspected due to mandatory closures. These extensions will not change future compliance dates.

The City will schedule Inspections, under our standard procedure, but using the following protocol:

Everyone on site observes social distancing of at least six feet.
All occupants, contractors, and subcontractors must exit the inspection area and confined spaces such as construction trailers while the inspector is present.
If these practices cannot be maintained, the inspection is terminated or canceled altogether.

Planning and Zoning

Coordinate and oversee all development activities from concept, to design, through construction, while insuring compliance with City policies and regulations. All applications related to land use are coordinated through this division.

HARD District^®

A Public Use Zoning District titled History Appreciation Recreation Destination District (HARD District^®) was established March 27, 2013 by Ordinance 2013-14. Areas designated as HARD District^® have been dedicated to public use, allowing the City of Black Hawk to provide recreation and destination activities for the residents and visitors of the City of Black Hawk.

GOLD District^®

A Gaming and Entertainment Zoning District titled Gaming Outstanding Lodging and Dining District (GOLD District^®) was established October 23, 2013 by Ordinance 2013-47. The GOLD District^® represents the core of the gaming and entertainment area of the City of Black Hawk and has the characteristics of a gaming district, while recognizing the viability of gaming, lodging, and dining components located in the City's core gaming area.

Important Documents & Resources

Building

Administer and enforce applicable building codes and regulations adopted by the City. Conduct plan reviews, issue building permits and perform inspections. The City of Black Hawk is currently using the 2015 International Building Codes.

For current versions of important documents & resources, please email CPDInquiry@cityofblackhawk.org.

Make a Permit Fee Payment Online

Exterior Paint Program

All residential properties located within the City of Black Hawk National Historic Landmark District qualify to participate in the General Fund Exterior Paint Program.

Consideration of applications is on a first-come, first-served basis. Annual appropriations for this program are limited. When accepted into the program, the Homeowner is required to enter into specific legal agreements. Funds issued to a Homeowner under this program are considered income under the State and Federal income tax laws. The City provides for partial reimbursement of this tax if requested by the Homeowner, but the Homeowner is responsible for the remaining tax liability. Work begins in June and ends in September. After paining a home, at least eight years must pass before the house is again eligible.

For more information, email CP&D staff at CPDInquiry@cityofblackhawk.org.