Associate Planner - Zoning Compliance

Date Opened: Friday, May 08, 2026 12:00 AM

Close Date: Friday, May 22, 2026 12:00 AM

Department: Planning, Design & Development Department

Salary: $59,134.00 - $73,917.00 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America's Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

The Land Development Division of the Planning, Design, & Development Department is seeking an entry level Associate Planner who will conduct various zoning reviews of attached residential dwelling types including duplex through quadraplex dwellings and small multi-family dwellings. This position assists customers that come into the Development Center lobby and provides customer support by phone and email. The Associate Planner will analyze different development proposals and inform the customer what review process is necessary. This position will also review and process zoning use permits. Work involves reviews in both City and County permitting software systems and determining zoning compliance with the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and Legacy Zoning Ordinance. Candidates must have the ability to participate in a team environment and perform reviews and duties within required timeframes.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Comprehend technical code regulations and problem solve complicated planning and zoning related matters.

• Provide detailed zoning review comments on permits, and multi-family reviews.

• Explain processes necessary for customers to develop various project types.

• Manage multiple permit submittals at a time, maintaining assigned review deadlines in City and County review systems.

• Work in partnership with design professionals, attorneys, developers, homeowners, and the public to address zoning review comments, zoning related regulations, issues, questions, and concerns, with the goal of achieving compliance with zoning regulations.

• Coordinate frequently with other City Planning and Land Development staff on permit submittals.

• Provide excellent and efficient customer service to walk-in customers in the Development Center lobby, and through phone calls, e-mails, virtual and in-office meetings, and appointments.

• Engage and participate in meetings with Zoning staff, Land Development staff, Planning, Design, & Development staff, and other City departments and legislative bodies.

• Respond to Emerald/311 inquiries.

• Release & placement of holds in City and County systems.

• Process, coordinate, prepare, and issue permit plan review status correspondence.

• Track frequently asked questions and common issues.

• Utilize tools including review checklists, manuals, handouts, brochures, and training materials to ensure consistency in zoning review.

• Verify zoning regulations as they apply to specific properties and explain regulations to customers with UDO references.

• Assist customers with Accela and other software systems.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication and customer service skills (such as the ability to effectively communicate graphically, verbally, and in writing).

• Basic knowledge of site design and architectural principles and practices.

• Knowledge of planning and land development principles and practices related to regulatory services.

• Ability to comprehend technical ordinance and legal requirements related to zoning matters and convey such information in an easy-to-understand fashion.

• Analytical skills applicable to planning and regulatory projects and initiatives.

• Effective time management (maintaining project review schedules, managing multiple projects, attending scheduled meetings).

• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams to achieve positive impacts on the community.

• Ability to perform effectively and efficiently with a moderate level of supervision.

• Ability to use computer effectively & utilize software programs designed to assist in performing daily tasks.

• Ability to obtain & maintain City's driving permit.

Preferred Qualifications:

• AICP, CZO, or other certifications desirable but not required.

• At least two years or more of relevant planning & zoning experience preferred. Related degree can substitute for experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Four-Year degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Geography, or related degree.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City's Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate's written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte's benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.