The Housing Division works with developers, rental property owners and managers, as well as community-based organizations to create and sustain affordable, supportive, and senior housing developments in Rochester. 

The Division of Real Estate is charged with the responsible management and oversight of all City-Owned and City-Utilized real estate assets via sales, leases, licenses and property retention procedures.  It is the goal of this division to responsibly oversee permanently owned City property and City Facilities while returning surplus City property to productive use for the goals of homeownership, business development, neighborhood enhancement, tax collection, and operational cost avoidance.

The Business Development team partners with a wide variety of for-profit businesses from high technology and manufacturing to neighborhood commercial and retail. We provide financial services and other support to achieve job creation and retention for city residents, new business growth, and downtown and neighborhood business revitalization.

To support the City of Rochester’s Mission, Vision, and Values, the Bureau of Zoning and Permitting implements a series of processes related to the issuance of permits and Certificates of Zoning Compliance.  The Bureau provides reviews of building permit applications and Zoning compliance requests to ensure compliance with relevant codes prior to issuance, and provides staff support by operating five land use boards, the City’s development review process, and manages the procedures related to licensed trades.  

The Office of City Planning plays a variety of roles within City Hall and the community related to policy development and placemaking. We serve our community and City government as facilitators, consensus builders, and process brokers. Our team brings a perspective rooted in holistic planning, multi-disciplinary collaboration, sustainability, equity, urbanism, and data-based decision making

The Bureau of Buildings and Compliance is responsible for the administration and enforcement of building, zoning, and property codes, the administration of rehabilitation grant programs, and the administration of the city's demolition program.