Pre-application meetings are intended to aid prospective applicants in understanding the required rules and regulations that apply to their project and to reveal potential problems. The goal of providing a pre-application meeting is to make the permitting process as efficient and understandable as possible. These meetings are typically optional. If the applicant chooses to utilize this process, there is a separate fee that must be paid prior the meeting.

Approval of a land use permit only entitles the use itself. This approval includes conditions (such as requiring additional approvals from other agencies) and possible mitigation measures that the applicant must comply with. Because only the use is entitled with approval of a land use permit, any construction or grading is subject to separate permits.

The applicant submits a completed application package.

*Digital Copies are now required with submission

Apply for a Variance with the Planning & Building Department.

1. Go to Citizen Self-Service (CSS) Permit Portal
2. Click on Home on the top tool bar
3. Click on Apply on the third tile on the top
4. Click on Apply next to Land Use Application
5. Click on Register, and completed the application online
6. Upload a complete application package, plan sets, and supporting documents

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Staff will look over the application submittal package and contact the primary contact with any questions.  Staff will email the primary billing contact an invoice, which can be paid here*.  Once the invoice is paid, the project review timeline will begin.

*Make sure to add INV to the invoice number, when searching for the invoice online.

Department of Planning & Building staff reviews the application for consistency with applicable land use regulations and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Staff schedules the application for a public hearing with the Planning Commission.

During the public hearing, the hearing body considers the application and reaches a decision to either approve, conditionally approve, or deny the application.

Any person can appeal a decision to the Board of Supervisors. Projects located within the Coastal Zone can be appealed to (or by) the California Coastal Commission.

Depending on the conditions of approval, the applicant may be required to enter into one or more legal agreements.

The applicant may apply for a time extension to extend the approval date for one year. The maximum available time extensions are based on the land use entitlement type.