What entitlements, CUPs, or design review approvals are needed before breaking ground?

Before breaking ground on a hotel development, you must secure a series of entitlements, conditional use permits (CUPs), and design review approvals to legally and operationally proceed with construction. These approvals ensure that your project complies with local zoning laws, planning goals, and development standards. The exact requirements vary by jurisdiction, but the following steps are commonly required for hotel projects:

1. Zoning Confirmation or Rezoning (if necessary)

• Confirm that the parcel’s zoning classification allows hotel or extended-stay use either by-right or conditionally.
  
• If not permitted by existing zoning, you’ll need to apply for rezoning or a text amendment, which may include public hearings and planning commission approval.
  
• Zoning verification includes setbacks, height limits, FAR (floor area ratio), lot coverage, and allowable use intensity.
  
• Proposals that conflict with the comprehensive or general plan may require a plan amendment, extending the entitlement timeline.
  

2. Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

• If hotel use is not permitted by-right but is a conditional or special use, a CUP is required.
  
• CUPs involve public notification, planning commission hearings, and often city council approval.
  
• Local governments evaluate CUPs based on impacts on traffic, noise, compatibility with surrounding uses, and neighborhood character.
  
• CUP approval may include conditions of approval, such as landscaping buffers, signage limits, or reduced hours of operation.
  
• CUPs typically add 60–180 days to the entitlement timeline.
  

3. Site Plan and Design Review Approval

• Most jurisdictions require site plan approval before permitting construction, even for by-right developments.
  
• Site plans must include:
  
  • Building footprint and orientation
    
  • Driveways, ingress/egress
    
  • Parking layout
    
  • Utility connections and drainage plans
    
  • Fire access and ADA compliance
    
• Design review may also be required for architectural quality, signage, façade materials, and landscaping.
  
• Projects in overlay zones, historic districts, or urban corridors may face additional architectural review board (ARB) scrutiny.
  

4. Environmental Review and CEQA/NEPA Compliance (if applicable)

• In some states (like California), hotel developments may require CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) compliance.
  
• This can include preparation of an Initial Study, Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), or Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
  
• Federally funded or adjacent-to-wetlands projects may trigger NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) requirements.
  
• Common environmental concerns include traffic generation, stormwater runoff, air quality, and endangered species.
  

5. Utility and Infrastructure Approvals

• Approvals from local utility providers are needed to confirm service capacity for water, sewer, electricity, and telecom.
  
• Stormwater and grading plans must meet municipal engineering and stormwater management standards.
  
• In many areas, developers are required to complete or pay for off-site improvements, such as curbs, sidewalks, traffic lights, or utility extensions.
  
• Fire marshal review is often required to approve hydrant spacing, turning radii, and sprinkler systems.