The Planning Division of the Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development takes action to shape the future of Wausau to create a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable City for current and future generations. This includes the areas of:

• Land Use
• Transportation
• Housing
• Historic Preservation
• Urban Design
• Natural Resources
• Community and Economic Development
• Brownfield Redevelopment
• Public Art
• Parks

The Planning Division coordinates long range and strategic physical, social, and economic planning for the City, working closely with citizens, businesses, other city departments, commissions, committees and boards, developers, and property owners to help develop and implement the programs, policies and ordinances needed to implement the plans. Grant writing is also an important implementation tool. The Planning Division participates in development review, along with the Division of Inspections and Zoning. This includes requests to amend the zoning map, conditional use permits, and site planning.