# Conditional use permit

A conditional use permit allows a use that the zoning permits only after case-by-case review, often with conditions attached. Also called CUP, special use permit, special exception, or special land use.

Data as of Oct 11, 2026. Page: https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/conditional-use-permit/

## What it is

Some uses are allowed only after review, like a drive-through, gas station, or church in a residential area. A conditional use permit approves that use on one site, usually with conditions like hours or screening.

## What it tells you

A conditional use permit names a use on a specific site, so it often reveals the operator early, like a car wash, school, or cell tower. Its conditions can shape the site plan.

## How it moves through a city or county

1. The applicant files a request with a site plan or project description.
2. Staff review it against the code's standards and suggest conditions.
3. A public hearing is held before the planning commission, a hearing examiner, or a board of adjustment.
4. That body decides, or it recommends and the council decides.

Who decides varies widely by place. Names differ too: special use permit, special exception, or special land use often mean the same review.

Rules vary by state, county, and city. These pages describe common practice, not legal advice.

## Recent conditional and special use permits

From public filings in Georgia, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

| Project | Location | Developer | Type | Size | Stage | Latest meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52-Unit Assisted Living Facility on 2.9 Acres | Union Grove, WI | Union Grove Properties | Residential | 52 units · 2.9 acres | Recommended | Dec 29, 2025 |
| 24-Unit Residential Apartment Building | Lake Zurich, IL | Housing Opportunity Development Corporation | Apartments | 24 apartments · 2.56 acres | Seeking approval | Sep 8, 2026 |
| 1M-Sqft Industrial Manufacturing Facility | Jefferson, GA | Pattillo Industrial Real Estate | Manufacturing | 158 acres | Recommended | Jul 6, 2026 |

Samples show projects filed by companies or public bodies.

## Find it on Boardwalk

Pick Conditional Use Permit under Application Type, or search "special use permit". [Start free trial](https://boardwalkai.com/auth/signup/)

## Related terms

- [Zoning variance](https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/zoning-variance/): A zoning variance lets one property depart from a zoning rule, such as a setback, when following it would cause a hardship.
- [Site plan](https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/site-plan/): A site plan is a drawing of a project on its lot, showing buildings, parking, access, and landscaping, reviewed against the code.
- [Board of adjustment](https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/board-of-adjustment/): A board of adjustment is an appointed board that decides zoning variances, appeals of staff decisions, and, in some places, special exceptions.

## Common questions

### Is a conditional use permit the same as a special use permit?

In most places a conditional use permit and a special use permit mean the same thing: approval for a use the zoning allows only after review. Some codes use both terms for different review levels.

### Does a conditional use permit stay with the property?

In many places a conditional use permit runs with the land, so it passes to a new owner. Some expire if the use does not start within a set time or stops for too long.

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## How to cite

Source: Boardwalk, "Conditional use permit", boardwalkai.com/glossary/conditional-use-permit/, data as of Oct 11, 2026.

How we count: https://boardwalkai.com/coverage/#how-we-count