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 Corridors — Scenic 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 #44 — PLN2023-00311
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
10/20/2025 MCC comments on CDP for Carlos Street No-Parking Zone
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 2024-2025 — 2023-2024
2022-2023 — 2021-2022 — 2020-2021 — 2019-2020 — 2018-2019
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