City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department
Fact Finding Application – Page 2 of 2
TRT/DOC/00253A
Frequently Answered Questions About Fact-Finding Requests
• W
hat is a Fact-Finding request?
A fac
t-finding request is a public request for basic development information regarding development standards
for a particular piece of property NOT located within the Downtown Code (DTC) or Walkable Urban (WU)
Code area. For sites located within the DTC/WU code areas, please refer to the separate DTC/WU
Code Pre-Application Submittal checklist, which includes information regarding DTC/WU code fact-
finding submittals.
• I
s there a fee for a Fact-Finding request?
Ye
s. A fee of $300 is charged for a written response. A fee of $600 is charged if a meeting with PDD staff i
s
r
equested. The fee is due at the time the request is submitted.
• W
hat type of information can be requested via a Fact-Finding Application?
A f
act-finding request is designed to provide basic information which, though not difficult for staff to research,
is not readily available through self-help outlets such as the Internet.
E
xamples: How much ROW will I have to dedicate if I choose to develop my property? Are there any other
easement dedications required if I develop my property? Are sewer and water services available to serve my
property, and if so, is capacity available for my proposed development? If I want to change the use on my
property, what city processes and/or permits are required to make this change? Is the existing parki
ng
pr
ovided in a shopping center sufficient for my proposed tenant improvement, or will I need to provide more?
• H
ow is this request different from a PDD pre-application meeting?
A f
act-finding request is different from a pre-application meeting in that staff will not conduct a complet
e
r
eview of a proposed site plan. Only the questions submitted can be answered. A pre-application meeting is
required to obtain a complete review of a detailed site plan proposal. If your fact-finding request is detail
ed
enou
gh to submit for a pre-application meeting, you will be encouraged to do so. Also, requests for approval
of non-standard details (such as driveway, gated-entry designs, or street width dimensions which are not
consistent with published city standards) cannot be reviewed or approved as part of a Fact-Finding request.
• W
ill I get to meet with staff to discuss my Fact-Finding request?
Ye
s, but only if you choose that option when you make your request and pay the applicable fee. There ar
e
two types of fact-finding requests: 1) written responses to specific questions; and 2) written responses, plus a
f
ace-to-face discussion with staff.
• D
o I need to file for a PDD Pre-application meeting if I’ve submitted a Fact-Finding application?
Yes, a Fact-Finding request does not replace the required pre-application meeting. However, it may be
possible to request a Enhanced (Option 2) pre-application/preliminary review, which is further explained in a
s
eparate document. Please note that small commercial or industrial projects may not require a pre-
application submittal. Contact Minor Commercial Review staff at Counter 6, 2
nd
Floor, 200 West Washington
S
treet, for further information.
• Ar
e there free services available?
Yes, the 2
nd
Floor Development Center has staff available to answer many types of development-related
questions without fee. Customers are allowed 15 minutes with each discipline; i.e., site, civil, traffic, etc. If
more time is needed, a Fact-Finding request will be required. Also, the Office of Customer Advocacy (OCA)
provides consultation services related to adaptive reuse of existing buildings without fee. OCA may b
e
r
eached at 602-534-7344.
