Zoning Reports & Verification Letters in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
How to request a zoning verification letter in Saipan, what it costs and who to contact, plus ALTA zoning reports for any Saipan property.

Scott Friedman
Have a property in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, a rush order or a portfolio? Scott can scope the right report and get a certified planner started right away.
How to get a zoning verification letter in Saipan
- Download the Record of Zoning Inquiry form from the Zoning Office website (cnmizoning.com, Zoning Applications page).
- Give the property's lot number and the current or proposed use; the office asks callers for the same two items.
- File the form with the Saipan Zoning Office and pay the $10 inquiry or clearance fee.
- If the property's use or structure predates the Saipan Zoning Law, file the separate Verification of Non Conforming Use/Structure application to register it.
- Document
- Zoning Inquiry / Zoning Clearance
- Office
- Saipan Zoning Office (Zoning Administrator and Saipan Zoning Board)
- Phone
- (670) 234-9661
- How
- Inquiry form with fee
- Fee
- $10 per zoning inquiry or clearance
- Typical time
- Not published
- Official info
- Saipan Zoning Office: Zoning Applications
Zoning in Saipan
Saipan is zoned under the Saipan Zoning Law of 2013 (Saipan Local Law 18-04, 10 CMC § 3511), as amended, with regulations in Title 165 of the CNMI Administrative Code. It sets 11 districts: Agricultural, Beach Road, Garapan Core, Garapan East, Industrial, Mixed Commercial, Public Resource, Rural, Tourist Resort, Village Commercial and Village Residential.
Did you know?
The Zoning Administrator has 21 days to review a zoning permit application; if it is deficient, the applicant has 28 days to resubmit and the administrator 14 days to review the resubmittal.
of the CNMI's three main populated islands, only Saipan has a zoning law In the Northern Mariana Islands, zoning is a local law, not a commonwealth-wide one. The Saipan Zoning Law of 2013 (Saipan Local Law 18-04, codified at 10 CMC § 3511) repealed four earlier Saipan local laws and replaced them with a new zoning law for the island. Tinian and Rota have not adopted zoning laws of their own, so zoning permits apply only on Saipan.
City letter or ZoningWorx report?
A local zoning letter is often enough for a quick check. Lenders, title companies and counsel usually need more.
- Confirms the zoning district
- Issued on the government's timeline
- Format and detail vary
- Requested and followed up by you
- Delivered in as little as 24–48 hours
- Zoning, permitted uses, setbacks, height, parking
- Nonconforming status and right to rebuild
- ALTA 3.0 & 3.1 compliant; Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac accepted
- Certified to your lender, title company and counsel
Saipan zoning questions
How do I get a zoning verification letter in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands?
Download the Record of Zoning Inquiry form from the Zoning Office website (cnmizoning.com, Zoning Applications page). Give the property's lot number and the current or proposed use; the office asks callers for the same two items. File the form with the Saipan Zoning Office and pay the $10 inquiry or clearance fee. If the property's use or structure predates the Saipan Zoning Law, file the separate Verification of Non Conforming Use/Structure application to register it.
How much does a zoning letter cost in Saipan?
$10 per zoning inquiry or clearance.
How long does it take to get a zoning letter in Saipan?
Saipan does not publish a turnaround time. ZoningWorx planners are available 24/7 and start on your order right away.
What type of zoning does Saipan use?
Saipan is zoned under the Saipan Zoning Law of 2013 (Saipan Local Law 18-04, 10 CMC § 3511), as amended, with regulations in Title 165 of the CNMI Administrative Code. It sets 11 districts: Agricultural, Beach Road, Garapan Core, Garapan East, Industrial, Mixed Commercial, Public Resource, Rural, Tourist Resort, Village Commercial and Village Residential.
Sources
- Saipan Zoning Office: Zoning Applications
- Saipan Zoning Office: FAQ
- Dotts Law: Saipan's zoning requirements to obtain a business license (FAQ)
- CNMI Law: Saipan Local Law 18-04
