The Community Development Department assists El Cerrito residents with improving their property and the community as a whole by

• Planning for projects that achieve the vision the community holds for itself - a safe, neat, attractive community with a green and clean environment; high quality, well-maintained businesses, City facilities and amenities which serve the Community and its residents;

• Providing responsive and technically accurate development and building services to the public based on respect and a recognition that personal safety is of paramount importance;

• Preparing and maintaining guidelines and procedures for planning processes and development proposals as a way of ensuring quality development takes place and that stable City services are provided and maintained;

• Reviewing and processing development and building applications to ensure that development occurs in a manner that reflects high community standards, is environmentally sound, promotes a sense of community safety and leads to a more stable and efficient City government;

• Promoting new businesses and strengthening existing businesses to create commercial opportunities that meet the needs and desires of the community and increase revenues in order to improve the commercial and office environment to attract additional businesses, through a comprehensive Economic Development Program.