The Department of Planning consists of a team of professionals dedicated to promoting orderly development that protects and improves the quality of life and physical environment of Westchester County. The department works with a wide array of citizen boards to carry out its work.

We encourage you to explore our varied projects and resources. The subjects range from protecting water quality, restoring natural habitat and addressing climate change to advancing housing opportunities, promoting smart growth and reviewing development proposals. We also provide extensive census and research data.

What's new at the Department of Planning? Fair and Affordable Housing Development in Port Chester: Homeowner eligibility and selection is in full swing for residence in Fox Commons, the new fair and affordable housing development in Port Chester. The development, scheduled to be completed in the spring, will provide 35 fair and affordable, attached townhouse home-ownership units.
 

ARRA Funded Projects: This year Design staff will be working on a number of projects funded by stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and Community Development Block Grants in Port Chester, Elmsford and Mamaroneck

Environmental Ordinance Guide: Department staff is working with the Westchester Land Trust to develop an environmental ordinance guide for local municipalities. The guide will provide municipal officials with the tools they need to develop and update their environmental ordinances in order to protect wetlands throughout Westchester

Westchester 2025 - Land Use Report: Department staff completed and released Land Use in Westchester, a new report with detailed information and maps on land use in the county. The report identifies eight major trends that have shaped the county's growth and development over the past decade.

Westchester 2025 What should Westchester look like in 2025? As we face issues that are changing and evolving – from flooding to traffic to housing to climate change – we are required to rethink how we make decisions, big and small.    Westchester 2025 aims to provide a solid foundation for constructive conversation about maintaining our quality of life and how to work together on shared goals.   Note - The Westchester 2025 Website is under redesign and currently unavailable.

Housing Housing provides funding to assist in the development of new fair and affordable housing as well as the rehabilitation of existing housing stock. We also provide affordable housing and rental assistance to homeowners and tenants who are income eligible. The county, working in concert with each municipality, addresses its local housing needs, as well as its share of regional affordable housing deficits. Learn More

Economic Growth and Environmental Protection Planning provides assistance to municipalities with zoning and local development initiatives. The Department reviews expansion referrals from local municipalities for the County Planning Board and recommends best planning practices which work to promote economic growth and protect the environment. Learn More

Watershed Protection There are six major drainage basins in Westchester - Upper Hudson River, Croton River, Lower Hudson, Upper LI Sound, Bronx River, and Lower LI Sound. Watershed protection is a major concern so the county oversees a variety of programs to protect county water quality. These reservoirs provide drinking water for residents of Westchester, NYC and Connecticut while others rely on wells. Learn More