Planning Department

Frequently Asked Questions - Long Range Planning Division

• What is the Comprehensive Plan?
• Can the Comprehensive Plan be changed?
• How do I annex my property into the City of Clearwater?
• How can I find information about the City's Historic Houses and Neighborhoods?

Additional Information

Q: What is the Comprehensive Plan?

A: The Comprehensive Plan is a compilation of the City's goals for the future. The goals address many subject areas including: land use, transportation, utilities, recreation and open space, coastal management and housing.

In addition, the Future Land Use Plan identifies locations within the City for residential neighborhoods, offices, commercial/shopping areas, industrial areas and parks. The Future Land Use Plan map establishes a land use category for each property in the City and this map is available for purchase from the Long Range Planning Division.

Q: Can the Comprehensive Plan be changed?

A: Since the Comprehensive Plan forms the City's long range goals, changes to the goals or Future Land Use Plan map are carefully reviewed and may be changed only in limited situations. In many cases, a change to the land use category on a specific property will also require a change in the zoning district. To discuss a specific plan amendment or rezoning, please contact the Planning Department with the address of your property.

Q: How do I annex my property into the City of Clearwater?

A: The City actively encourages property owners to annex their property into the City limits to take advantage of the City's many programs. In most cases, annexation of the property is needed prior to connection with the City's water or sewer lines. To find out if the City can provide you with water and sewer service and to begin the annexation process, please call 727-562-4553, or contact the Planning Department.

Q: How can I find information about the City's historic houses and neighborhoods?

A: The City maintains a substantial amount of research about our historic resources and all of these documents are available in our Planning Department library for review. Available historic documents include city and neighborhood histories, historic/ architectural inventories, archaeological studies, newspaper articles and related books on design, history and preservation. For more information, please call 727-562-4836, or contact the Planning Department.

For additional information

About rezoning and land use plan amendments: Call (727) 562-4547, (727) 562-4836, or (727) 562-4586.

About annexing your property: Call (727) 562-4836, (727) 562-4626, or (727) 562-4553.

About historic properties: Call (727) 562-4836.

About population and demographics: Call (727) 562-4626.

About Downtown Redevelopment: Call (727) 562-4587.

For information about purchasing Planning Department documents, or for general information, call (727) 562-4579.