All commercial developments and additions in the City require a site plan be submitted to the Department of Planning for review before any building permits can be issued.  The process starts with a preliminary meeting with staff to discuss the proposed improvements and elements required to be on the plan.  Site plans should be drawn according to the site plan checklist unless otherwise directed by staff. 

Once an adequate site plan is submitted, Planning staff review it for compliance with applicable planning & zoning regulations.  If acceptable, planning staff will sign off on the plan and forward it to the Engineering Department for review.  Once approved by Engineering, the plan is then forwarded to the Inspection Department in order that building permits can be issued.

Site Plan Requirements

Site plans and parking layouts, except on lots serving single-family dwellings, shall be submitted for approval consideration by the Planning and Zoning Administrator and the City Engineer.   Upon approval of the site plan, a permit for development may be issued by the Building Inspector.  A preliminary site plan meeting is recommended to discuss items which are applicable to each specific site plan.

ONE (1) copy of the site plan shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator with the following filing fee (non-refundable):  

*  fifteen dollar ($15.00) for the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, C-1 Zones

*  twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fee for M-1, M-2, M-3, B-1, B-2, B-2T, B-3, HBD, A-1, H-1, POP, and MU Zones.  

Site Plan Drawing

Site plans shall be drawn to scale, depicting the following which are applicable to the site:

1. North arrow

2. Owners signature

3. Signature of person preparing plan (stamp if applicable)

4. Name of property owner or owner of record

5. Draw to engineers scale (not to exceed 1" - 40', unless otherwise granted)

6. Indicate address, street name, lot and block number, and right of way width of the adjacent street(s) and/or alley(s), as obtained from the office of the City Engineer.

7. Zoning District

8. Lot Dimensions including:

• Dimensions of lot boundaries, building setbacks, building site and existing buildings

• Location of all porches, decks, patios, loading docks, etc. with accurate dimensions

• Calculate total square footage of lot and note on site plan

9. Layout of off-street parking and loading spaces; maneuvering areas, and driveways:

• All parking spaces and loading/unloading areas shall be in compliance with Section 126-71 of the Paducah Zoning Ordinance.

• Indicate any improvements within the City right of way, including driveway entrances, sidewalks, curb & gutters that are existing or proposed.  All locations and widths of existing or proposed entrances and exits in accordance with 126-71 should be depicted.  Existing driveway entrances that will not be used for access shall be removed, and curb and gutter or a ditch line shall be installed to match existing.  Developer is responsible for all costs associated with this construction.  Typical sections/details shall be shown for all proposed construction within the City right of way.  All work within the City right of way shall require a permit for work in the right of way obtained from the City Engineer.

• Indicate traffic flow patterns and location and type of traffic control devices if applicable.

10. Location of Site Triangles

• Per section 126-65 Paducah Zoning Ordinance - Corner Lots

• Per section 126-71 Paducah Zoning Ordinance - Ingress/Egress

11. Buffer screen in or abutting a residential zone (applies to parking lots, commercial and industrial developments).  Lighting plan and details for developments located in or adjacent to residential districts.

12. Easements (if any) shall be shown.  Identify the type of easement and recorded information.

13. Location of all significant utility lines and names of utility companies serving site.

14. Location and size of existing and proposed sanitary and storm sewer lines.  Indicate the location of the sewer line on private property and on City right of way.  Location of monitoring manhole, if needed, should be depicted.

15. Location and type of proposed refuse collection container.

• Dumpsters require a minimum of a 10' X 30'X8" concrete pad

• If enclosed, access door must be not less than 12' wide

16. Location, size and type of free standing commercial advertising signs.

• Signs shall be per Section 126-76, Paducah Code of Ordinances

• Signs exceeding 40' in height require engineering design on footing

17. Locate and identify floodplain boundaries.

18. Soil erosion control plan to be approved by Engineering Department for projects of one (1) or more acres.

19. Depict the proposed drainage network for this entire development, including the surface drainage flow lines, drop box inlets/catch basins, all existing and proposed pipe sizes, type, flow direction, open channels, and the proposed connection point to the City's storm system.  All roof drains shall be collected and piped to the nearest parking drop box inlet.  If it is required for drainage, it shall be defined on the site plan.

20. If applicable, location of storm water detention system (10,000 square feet or more of impervious area) as prepared by a Kentucky Registered Professional Engineer per Section 50, Paducah Code of Ordinances.

Stormwater Management Plan

If the development will have 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surface, a Stormwater Management Plan shall be prepared by a Kentucky Registered Professional Engineer in accordance with Chapter 50 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances.  The Stormwater Management Plan shall provide for properly sized stormwater conveyance facilities capable of controlling increased runoff relative to its pre-developed condition.   Stormwater management facilities shall be designed to retain the difference in the pre-development and post-development ten-year, 24-hour storm event.

Two (2) copies of the Stormwater Management Plan and support documentation shall be submitted with the site plan and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Site plan with the following additional information:

a) Pre-development and post-development conditions, such as buildings, structures, driveways, parking areas, impervious areas, etc.

b) Indicate previous and proposed contours and/or elevations of the site.  Surface drainage flow lines shall be depicted. Identify all key spot elevations indicating peaks, valleys, high points, flowline of gutters at entrance locations, edge of pavement adjoining the site, etc.  Show any contributing drainage areas that may affect the site drainage pattern.  This information is vital to the review process of the stormwater.

c) Depict the proposed drainage network for this entire development, including surface drainage flow lines, drop box inlets/catch basins, all existing and proposed pipe sizes, type, flow direction, open channels, and the proposed connection point to the City's storm network.

d) Location, dimensions and design details required for the construction of all facilities.

e) Proposed location of stormwater detention system and emergency spillways. 

f) Location of property corners and other necessary reference markers placed on the property by a competent surveyor or professional engineer.

2. All calculations, assumptions and criteria used in the design of the stormwater management facility.

3. A description of the operation and maintenance needs for the stormwater management facilities.

4. All information relative to the design and operation of emergency spillways.

5. Project specifications relative to erosion and sedimentation control.  (Refer to Best Management Practice for Construction Activities prepared by the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet for design guidelines associated with erosion and sediment control.)

6. Evidence of the recording of all privately owned stormwater deed restrictions, easements and rights-of-way.  

7. Notarized written certification to the City Engineer stating ownership, operation, and maintenance responsibilities for all privately owned stormwater management control structures during and after development.

planninginfo@ci.paducah.ky.us