Zoning, permits, legal process

[Gere W.]

Where to find information of developing land, what zones mean what, state vs county zoning, permitting process, the steps of start to finish. I can't find clear explanations of the entire process, just vague bits, unclear, glosses over a step(s) that don't explain the actual physical steps involved. 

Ex. Taking plot of land and wanting to build storage units on it. What's first step? Where to check if this is even possible? Zoning? Zoning types? Who to call first and check? Civil engineer? When do they get involved? City planner? Architect? Inspection? What are the timelines of these processes?

Good resources I can find these exact steps?