Applications & Forms

Welcome!

Welcome to the Planning Department Applications page. We look forward to working with you!

All applications, including those for projects in Columbus, Bartholomew County, and the Edinburgh / Bartholomew / Columbus Joint District must be submitted using the City of Columbus Opengov services portal – please see the Apply Online link below. The portal also provides additional information on the various types of applications and their purpose.

All applications require the upload of a completed Property Owner Authorization for each included property owner. Additional forms may be found below.

Please note that your project may also require additional local approvals, such as a building permit, storm water permit, or utility connection authorization. If your project is located in the City of Columbus, please visit the City’s Development and Building Services Resource Page.

Please note, we began using Opengov on November 17, 2025. Its new for us too. We hope that it improves the efficiency and transparency of our permitting process. Please be patient as we make this change. Please call our office if you experience any issues or just have a suggestion. We value your input.

Apply Online

Pre-Application Meetings

The Planning Department welcomes the opportunity to meet before you submit your application in order to better understand your project and provide guidance. Please contact us at 812.376.2550 or planning@columbus.in.gov to schedule a pre-application meeting. While always recommended, pre-application meetings are required for all Board of Zoning Appeals applications and major subdivision preliminary plats.

Application Fees

The required fee for each application type may be found on our Fee Schedule.

After submitting your application, you will receive an automated email from Opengov indicating that payment is due. That email will look like the image to the right (please be cautious of scams and call the Planning Department if you have any concerns about a request for payment). Following the link provided, you will be required to log into your Opengov account prior to making payment. Payment at the Planning Department by cash or check is also welcome. Please note that your application will not be processed until the fee has been paid.

Calendars

While many applications may be reviewed and approved by the Planning Department staff, others require consideration by the Plan Commission or Board of Zoning Appeals based on the applications calendar for each Commission / Board. Those calendars are provided below:

Columbus & Bartholomew County Plan Commission Calendar
Columbus & Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals Calendar

Forms for use with Opengov

Below are forms that may be required to be completed and uploaded as part of your application:

Property Owner Authorization (Required for all Applications) Paper Form Fill-in Form

Zoning Compliance Certificate Site Plan Checklist Paper Form

Subdivision Checklists & Affidavits

Agriculture Subdivisions (Bartholomew County Only) Checklist Agriculture Affidavit

Administrative Subdivision Checklist Columbus Bartholomew County

Minor Subdivision Checklist Columbus Bartholomew County

Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Checklist Columbus Bartholomew County

Major Subdivision Final Plat Checklist Columbus Bartholomew County

Columbus Subdivision Improvement Agreements

Build & Dedicate Agreement Paper Form PDF Fill-in Form

Performance Security Agreement Paper Form PDF Fill-in Form

Revise Build & Dedicate to Performance Security Agreement Paper Form PDF Fill-in Form

Bartholomew County Subdivision Improvement Agreements

(Print form from Dropbox or download for interactive .pdf)

Build & Dedicate Agreement

Performance Security Agreement (Public Improvements)

Performance Security Agreement (Private Improvements)

Other Forms

Below are forms not intended for use with Opengov that should be submitted directly to the Planning Department:

Floodplain LOMC Community Acknowledgement Forms & Instructions