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The Department of Planning and Building Permit Center is open by appointment only for limited building permit intake, correction returns/pick-up and to schedule virtual meetings. To submit electronic Building Permit or Land Use Permit Applications please visit  our website.

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Trevor Keith

Trevor Keith

Director of Planning & Building

Citizen Self-Service (CSS) Portal

Public Information and Permit Processing Online Services

Preview of Public Information and Permit Processing Online Services (CSS Portal)

Pre-Application Meeting

What is this service?

Pre-application meetings are intended to aid prospective applicants in understanding the required rules and regulations that apply to their land use, subdivision, or general plan amendment project, and to reveal potential problems. The goal of providing a pre-application meeting is to make the permitting process with Planning as efficient and understandable as possible.

 

A pre-application meeting is required for General Plan Amendment applications, such as:

  • Land Use Element/Local Coastal Plan map or text amendment
  • Land Use Ordinance/Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance text amendments
  • Property request submitted during Land Use Element/Local Coastal Plan area plan update
  • New specific plans and amendments to existing specific plans
  • Amendment to any other element of the General Plan

 

A pre-application meeting is recommended for the following types of applications:

  • Conditional Use Permit/Development Plan
  • Tract Maps

What is the process?

Step 1: Speak with Planner (Optional)

Complete the Appointment Request Online form, and ask to speak with a planner about your proposed project, OR if you have previously spoken with a planner and know you would like a Pre-Application Meeting, Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Apply for Pre-Application Meeting

Users can apply for a Pre-Application Meeting through our CSS Portal. 

Please include as much detail about your project as possible, including:

  • Any proposed maps or plans
  • If there is an existing agricultural use of the site 

PLEASE NOTE: an address or an APN is required; requests not including either of these will be deemed incomplete.

Requests are reviewed weekly by the appropriate staff and a planner or planners will be assigned to your meeting and scheduled accordingly.

 

Step 3: Pay Fee

The pre-application meeting fee must be paid no later than one week prior to the date of the scheduled meeting

PLEASE NOTE: Pre-Application Meeting cannot be held without fee payment having been received.

If an application is submitted within six months of the meeting, the Department of Planning & Building portion of the pre-application meeting fee will be applied to the application fee.

Step 4: Attend Meeting

Attend the pre-application meeting and discuss your proposed project and any questions you have about the approval process with county staff.

Who can use this service?

Anyone can use this service.

Is there a charge for this service?

Please refer to the Department of Planning & Building Fee Schedule for application fees.

Please note: Final costs are determined by which departments and agencies might be required to attend your Pre-Application Meeting, and will be calculated from the above fee schedule.

When and where is this service offered?

This service is available throughout the year during regular business hours except during scheduled holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Citizen Self-Service (CSS) Portal

Public Information and Permit Processing Online Services

Preview of Public Information and Permit Processing Online Services (CSS Portal)