Planning Documents 

Airport Zone Development Plan 

The City of Valparaiso, along with several project partners, is in the process of developing an Airport Zone Development Plan for the 15-Square Mile area surrounding the Porter County Municipal Airport. 

Annexation Policy 

From time to time, the City of Valparaiso incorporates land located outside of the Valparaiso City Limits by annexation as prescribed by state statutes. The annexation policy and processes can be found on this page and more information can be found by reaching out to the Planning Department.

Code of Ordinances 

View the City of Valparaiso's Code of Ordinances. 

Comprehensive Plan - Envision Valparaiso 2030

The comprehensive plan, Envision 2030, was a plan made available during the summer of 2013 after a 18 month process of data collection, analysis, public meetings and review. The Comprehensive Plan provides a framework for guiding future development, redevelopment, and community enhancement in the City of Valparaiso and surrounding planning area for the next 20 years. 

Sign Standards

The City of Valparaiso Sign Standards can be found in Article 5 Signs of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Some areas are located within Signature Corridor Overlays or Districts with additional signage requirements, which can be found in Article 11 Design Standards of the UDO. 

State Route 49 Corridor Plan

The State Route 49 Corridor Plan was developed to address landscape conservation and development-related issues along a portion of State Route 49. The plan is intended to provide planning guidance and physical design direction for urban growth and development, regional change and environmental management over the next ten (10) to twenty (20) years.

Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)

The Valparaiso Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) was approved by the Valparaiso City Council in May 2009. The UDO was developed to: project the quality of life of City Residents, ensure highway systems are carefully planned, ensure the community grows with adequate public way, utility, health, educational and recreational facilities, ensure the needs of business and industry are recognized, ensure the residential areas provide healthful surroundings for family life, protect the fiscal and functional integrity of the City and Preserve, enhance and protect the unique and special character of the City of Valparaiso. 

Valparaiso Creative District Plan

The City of Valparaiso was a quarter-finalist of the America's Best Communities Competition (ABC Competition) and as a part of the competition the City of Valparaiso chose to develop a Creative District Plan. The Creative District Plan, documents the vision of the district with 34 supporting actions organized into three (3) organization themes.

Valparaiso Residential Market Analysis 

The City of Valparaiso commissioned a Residential Market Analysis in 2020 to provide City Decision makers, stakeholders, developers and community members with a comprehensive and meaningful data to establish a baseline of existing housing stock for current and future residential needs in Valparaiso. 

ValpoNEXT

The ValpoNEXT Plan was a community-driven process that prepared a long-term vision plan for the City of Valparaiso that encompasses many aspects of community life. The plan consists of two (2) parts:  an overarching vision statement and an action agenda comprised of 43 action items. 

Elevate Valpo Plan

The Plan seeks to identify locations and type of redevelopment in and around the downtown that will best support increased density while preserving the downtown’s exceptional vibrancy and historic character. Please send your input to planningdepartment@valpo.us or contact Planning Director, Beth Shrader, directly with questions.