The Department of Planning and Municipal Development is responsible for preparing plans to encourage economic and community revitalization within borders of Norristown. The Department administers land use registration permits (zoning) and guides applicants through the land development/subdivision process. In addition to administering over 12 million dollars in federal, state and county grant funds, the Department is responsible for developing and implementing projects in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, the 5-Year Consolidated Plan, the Norristown Economic Revitalization Strategy, Riverfront Redevelopment Plan for the Riverfront Area, Open Space Plan and other approved plans over the Municipality’s 3.2 square miles.

Due to the quantity and varying degrees of projects administered by the Department of Planning and Municipal Development, a comprehensive listing can not be provided here. What appears below is a sample of some of the ongoing projects and programs administered by the Department:

The following are pdfs of Norristown's Planning & Municipal Development economic revitalization strategy, consolidation plan plus other important informative brochures and applications.

Norristown Economic Revitalization Strategy
Norristown Consolidation Plan
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Master Plan.

Click here for a copy of the Fair Housing Brochure.
Click here for an application for the Norristown Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

If you do not have Acrobat Reader®, simply click here to download a free copy of the full version of Acrobat Reader by Adobe®.

TRANSPORTATION
West Marshall Street Streetscape Project - completed
This 1 million dollar project encompassing seven blocks in the Historic West Marshall Street Shopping District provided the merchants and residents of the area with new brick-stamped sidewalks, historic lighting, new urban-friendly trees, improved visual ascetics by burying the utility lines, new planters, new benches and other amenities. This project was paid entirely with grant funds.

Main Street Streetscape Project - ongoing
The improvements to the main shopping corridor will entail new brick-stamped sidewalks, historic lighting, new urban-friendly trees, traffic light signalization and other amenities. The first phase of this project is scheduled to start in 2005. This project is funded by grants through Norristown Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds, Montgomery County Revitalization Funds and Federal TE-21 Funds.

Wayfinding/Directional signage Project
Navigating the streets of Norristown has never been easier with the implementation of the Wayfinding/Direction Signage Project. This Project provides direction for visitors to select Norristown destinations such as Municipal Hall, the Montgomery County Courthouse, Martin Luther King Jr. Park and the Elmwood Park Zoo. Also included are gateway signs welcoming visitors and residents to charming historic Norristown.

Street Reconstruction
The first street reconstruction project will entail the roadway between Markley Street west to Stanbridge Street. Additional street reconstruction projects will follow as the Planning Department administers Norristown’s Capital Improvement Budget.

Lafayette Street Transportation Improvements
This project is being spearheaded by the Montgomery County Planning Commission and is vital enough to Norristown’s revitalization efforts that it deserves to be listed here. Please visit http://www.montcopa.org/plancom/Lafayette_Web/Default.htm for more information.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Business Development Coordinator
The Business Development Coordinator is responsible for marketing Norristown to the private business community in an effort to attract and maintain the existing commercial and business marketplace while creating an environment for job creation and job retention for Norristonians.

Small Business Assistance Center
The Norristown Small Business Assistance Center assists micro-enterprise (6 or fewer employees) with business plans, marketing plans, advertising and other services for small businesses looking to begin operations, relocate or that already exist within Norristown.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Historic Façade Program
The highly successful Historic Façade Program affords property owners the opportunity to enhance their building’s historic façade. The Planning Department will provide dollar for dollar matching funds up to $5,000 for each property that is enhanced. From 1999 – 2004 this Program improved over 25 historic facades within the East and West Historic Districts. The Program is funded entirely with grant funds.

Click Here to download an application for the historic façade program.

West Marshall Street Historic Façade Program
Similar to the Historic Façade program, the West Marshall Street Historic Façade Program targets the Historic West Marshall Street Shopping District and also provides up to $5,000 for each property.

OPEN SPACE
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Improvements
Totaling close to $600,000, enhancements include newly designed play equipment, a civic/water play fountain for children of all ages to enjoy, improved parking facilities and walking trail in this residential area.

Click Here to download Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Master Plan.

If you do not have Acrobat Reader®, simply click here to download a free copy of the full version of Acrobat Reader by Adobe®.

Open Space Plan/Montgomery County Open Space Funds
The Norristown Open Space Plan was revisited in 2005 in accordance of the bond issues by Montgomery County to preserve and enhance open space throughout the County. Norristown is the recipient of 1.8 million dollars in funds during the first phase of the bond issue; for more information concerning open space within Norristown, please reference the Open Space Plan.

Click Here to download Norristown's Open Space Draft Plan.
NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECTS
Neighborhood Improvements Project
Funded through Norristown’s CDBG allocation, the neighborhood improvement project entails sidewalk repairs in eligible residential areas.

DeKalb Street Project for the Elm Street Program
Norristown is the recipient of a $250,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for sidewalk improvements within the Elm Street Program Area. The grant will be used for sidewalk improvements along DeKalb Street. CDBG funds will be utilized to expand the project scope.

HOME Funds for the DeKalb Street Area
This innovative project will encompass acquiring vacant and boarded properties along DeKalb Street and rehabilitate them into owner-occupied condominium units.


Q&A'S
I want to know how a property is zoned, what do I need to do?
You should complete and submit a use registration form to the Planning Department.

 I want to open a business, what do I need to do?
First you should complete and submit a use registration form to the Planning Department who will determine if your proposed use is permitted within the zoning district. This form is available for download in the FORMS section of this website.

I am interested in purchasing a property that is listed as a duplex (triplex, etc), what do I need to do?
First you should complete and submit a use registration form to the Planning Department who will determine if your proposed use is permitted within the zoning district. This form is available for download in the FORMS section of this website.

I have completed the use registration form, what is my next step?
The response will detail what your next step will be. More often then not there are two paths to take:
1. Contact the Building Inspector to begin acquiring any and all permits, inspections, licenses, etc that are required by law.
2. Appeal the determination to the Zoning Hearing Board. The response will include what Section of the Ordinance you will need to seek relief from and the Zoning Hearing Board application.