Coastal Zone Information

The Coastal Zone is a legislatively defined geographic region that establishes the area regulated under the Coastal Act, encompassing both land and water areas along the length of the California coastline from the Oregon border to the Mexico border.

The Coastal Zone varies in distance from the shoreline in both urban and rural areas and extends offshore to the 3-mile limit of state waters.

• Find out if your property is within the Coastal Zone(PDF, 2MB)
• Find out more about the Coastal Act of 1976

Coastal Development Permits (CDPs) are discretionary planning projects that require a higher level of review and judgment by the County, other public agencies and stakeholders.

CDPs require a public hearing, environmental review, public input, conditions of approval, and final approval. It takes approximately six to twelve months to process and approve a Coastal Development Permit application.

A CDP is required when development is proposed. Development means any significant changes or additions to land or water. Here are some examples:

• Building: construction of structures or solid materials.
• Land modifications: grading, removing, dredging, mining, or extracting materials.
• Water Use: changing how water is used or accessed. (e.g., drilling wells, installing water tanks.)
• Construction Work: building, remodeling, demolishing, or altering structures, including utility facilities.
• Vegetation Removal: removing major vegetation, except for farming, kelp harvesting, and timber operations with an approved timber harvesting plan.

In short, “development” covers a wide range of activities that modify the land, water, or structures in significant ways.

Contact the Planning Division for project specific questions and to find out what permits your project requires.

Pursuant to MCC 20.532.020, certain types of development are exempt from CDP requirements. Here are some examples:

• Repair and maintenance activities which do not result in an addition or expansion of the structure, except as otherwise specified in Subchapter 7, Title 14, California Administrative Code.
• Improvements to single-family residences except as otherwise specified in Subchapter 6, Title 14, California Administrative Code
• Disaster Replacements, i.e. replacing structures destroyed by disasters. The new structure must be constructed in the same footprint on the property. The floor area, height, or bulk of the replacement structure cannot exceed that of the destroyed structure by more than ten percent

Pursuant to MCC Chapter 20.456, yes you can build a pool and other accessory uses that are appropriate, incidental, and subordinate to the single-family residence or other principal permitted uses.

Pursuant to MCC Chapter 20.458, ADUs are allowed in the Coastal Zone. Get more information on ADUs.

Pursuant to MCC Chapter 20.480, legal nonconforming structures may be remodeled, rehabilitated, or reconstructed if their exterior dimensions remain unchanged. If a nonconforming structure is abandoned, discontinued, or changed to a conforming use for one year, it cannot be re-established, and the property must comply with current zoning regulations.

If such a structure is destroyed or partially destroyed by natural disasters, it can be rebuilt to its original dimensions and used as before, provided that reconstruction begins within one year and is diligently completed.

Pursuant to MCC Chapter 20.532, prior to new development, the landowner must demonstrate there is an adequate supply of water. Reach out to the several local water districts that serve your area. If your property is not served by a public water district, you will need to hire a licensed well driller to drill a private well and obtain either a Coastal Development Permit or a Coastal Development Permit Exclusion.

For more information regarding water supply and additional permits, contact the Division of Environmental Health.

• Phone: 707-961-2714.
• Email: enviroh@mendocinocounty.gov

If your property was developed after 1972, contact the California Coastal Commission North Coast district office for jurisdictional determination.

• Phone: 707-826-8950

Many areas of the County are at risk from wildland fires. If your property is within the State Responsibility Area, you may need to obtain prior clearance from CAL FIRE before proceeding with any development or project.

Contact CAL FIRE for more information regarding fire safe regulations in Mendocino County.

• Phone: 707-459-7414
• Email: Mendocino4290@fire.ca.gov