The Pre-Development Checklist Every Developer Should Follow

ASK:

What do I need to check off before I submit anything to the city?

ANSWER:

Pre-development is the hidden phase of real estate. It’s everything you need to do before your project even hits a planning desk. Get it right, and your entitlement process moves smoothly. Skip it, and you’ll spend months spinning your wheels.

The Checklist

At I&D Consulting, we use a systematic checklist for every project:

Zoning + Land Use
Confirm that your intended use is allowed or flag what approvals are needed.
Utility Access + Easements
Make sure water, sewer, power, and telecom are available in the right-of-way (ROW), or that private easements are in place.
Entitlement Path Mapping
Outline which permits and approvals are required, and how long each will take.
Stakeholder Engagement
Identify city staff, public works, utilities, and neighbors who will influence approvals.
Community Input
Anticipate opposition and start outreach early.
Budget + Carry Costs
Calculate how much time you can afford to hold land during approvals.
Schedule Integration
Map entitlement and permitting timelines into your overall project schedule.

Why It Matters

We’ve seen developers skip steps only to be blindsided by utility fees, traffic mitigation requirements, or opposition at the eleventh hour. The pre-development phase helps ensure that you’re running fast in the right direction.

How We Help Clients

Our team builds this checklist into every deal. Nothing is left to chance. You don’t just get a to-do list. We’ll provide you with a roadmap with a clear process, key deadlines, and risks flagged.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Pre-development work saves months later and unnecessarily early spending
Zoning, utilities, entitlements, and stakeholders must be mapped before submittals
Checklists prevent expensive surprises