Planning & Zoning Overview

Land Use Planning & Development Approval Process in the unincorporated Midcoast - 2018 MCC study session


County Planning Dept Links

Planning & Building Department 
Major projects  --  Project CEQA documents
Code Compliance

Online Permit Center  --  Case Summary Report 

Planning Decision-Making Bodies:
Planning Commission
Zoning Hearing Officer
Coastside Design Review Committee


Maps

GIS Map (Graphic Interface System - zoning & other info)
Property maps
Adopted SMC Planning Maps (collection)
Scenic CorridorsScenic Resource Areas Criteria
Midcoast Sensitive Habitats
Seal Cove Geotechnical Hazards Map
Montecito Riparian Corridor, El Granada

 

Land Use Regulations

Zoning Regulations
County Ordinance Code
Local Coastal Program (LCP)  -  Midcoast Land Use Map
Drainage Manual (implemented in draft form since 2019)
Midcoast Residential Design Review Standards
Community Design Manual 1976 (non-residential districts)
Tree Trimming & Removal permits
Hazardous tree removals: permit exemption

Senate Bill 9, effective 2022, requires stream-lined permitting in single-family residential districts for lot split into 2 lots with up to 2 units per lot. SB-9’s application within the coastal zone is very limited. The law specifies that public hearings are not required (but not prohibited) for Coastal Development Permits for SB-9 projects. All coastal zone land use regulations continue to apply.

 

Studies

2008 LAFCo Coastside Sphere of Influence recommendations

1998 Midcoast Fiscal Study found that a significant deficit would be incurred with either incorporation of the Midcoast as an independent city, or annexation by Half Moon Bay.  More info on Midcoast Governance page

1998 Study: Development of Substandard Residential Parcels in the Urban Midcoast  --  MCC comments

 

Major development Projects in Review

Moss Beach Fire Station #44PLN2023-00311
CDP approved June 2024 — staff report addendum
1/24/24 MCC comments on referral
1/10/24 CFPD presentation — 9/23/23 Plans
8/8/23 Community Meeting presentation

Etheldore Apartments PLN2019-00143, webpage
2/20/20 Pre-application public workshop
MCC 6/26/19 comments & presentation - MCC 5/8/19 

Cypress Point Affordable Housing - webpage
CDP approved March 2024

Montara Main St Hotel, webpage, 3-story 22-room, PLN2016-00328
7/22/24 MCC comments on Cycle 3 plans
9/27/23 MCC comments on referral
(project plans - traffic study - geotech report - DPW comments)
2020 Pre-App public workshop - Summary of Comments & Reponses

Harbor View Inn 15-room expansion PLN2016-00136 
2019 plans --  images -- MCC comments
2015 pre-application worshop

 

Long Range Plans & Ordinance Updates

Long Range Planning Projects: Work Plan for 2024-20252023-2024
2022-20232021-20222020-20212019-20202018-2019 


Plan Princeton zoning update 2013-2015 (paused); resumed Nov 2024
Protected Tree Ordinance approved by BoS 10/22/24; goes to CCC to certify for Coastal Zone
Drainage Manual (implemented in draft form 2019)
Midcoast Design Standards update 2018-2019 (paused) 
Neighborhood Commercial Zoning Regs update 2019 (paused)
Caltrans Bypass Alignment Specific Plan (not begun) 

 

 

 

 

Archived MCC Planning Pages

Priority Development Area (PDA) 2012