Start by reading the allowable, permitted, conditional, and disallowed uses that are identified for each land use category in the County's Land Use Ordinance. For the inland area of the County, start with the Title 22 Inland Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements, and the coastal zone of the County, start with the Title 23 Coastal Allowable Use Table.
There may be specific community planning area standards that also apply to new land uses. Compliance with these planning area standards are required in addition to the standards of the allowable use. Where the planning area standards conflict with the allowable use tables, the planning area standards will control.
If the proposed uses requires a Site Plan Review, Minor Use Permit, or Conditional Use Permit, that process must be completed before the business license may be approved.
Department of Planning & Building staff are available to assist with determining the level of review required for a proposed use at a given location. Please complete the Verify the Proposed Business on a Property form above.