Chapter 21.52 — AMENDMENTS
Carlsbad Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Carlsbad
Note: Prior ordinance history: Ord. Nos. CS-102 and CS-164.
§ 21.52.010. Purpose. ¶
A. The purpose of this chapter is to establish the process and requirements to amend this title, the general plan, and the local coastal program, including amendments to the boundaries of land use designations and zones.
B. The process and requirements established by this chapter regarding amendments to the local coastal program are intended to be consistent with and shall not supersede the requirements of the California Coastal Act.
(Ord. CS-178 § XCIX, 2012)
§ 21.52.020. Amendment initiation. ¶
A. Amendments to this title, the general plan, or local coastal program may be initiated by:
The verified application of one or more owners of property or building proposed to be changed or reclassified;
Resolution of intention of the City Council;
Resolution of intention of the Planning Commission;
The City Planner.
(Ord. CS-178 § XCIX, 2012)
§ 21.52.030. Application and fees. ¶
A. An application to amend this title, the general plan, or local coastal program shall:
Be made in writing on a form provided by the City Planner;
State fully the circumstances and conditions relied upon as grounds for the application; and
Be accompanied by all other materials as specified by the City Planner.
B. At the time of filing the application, the applicant shall pay the application fee contained in the most recent fee schedule adopted by the City Council.
C. If the application is applicable to a specific parcel(s) of land, the application shall be made by the owner of the property affected or the owner's authorized agent. This paragraph shall not apply to
an amendment initiated by the city. In addition to the provisions of subsection A of this section, such applications shall also include:
- Adequate plans and a legal description of the property involved.
- (Ord. CS-178 § XCIX, 2012)
§ 21.52.040. Notices and hearings. ¶
Notice of an application to amend this title, the general plan, or the local coastal program shall be given pursuant to the provisions of Sections 21.54.060.A and 21.54.061 of this title. (Ord. CS-178 § XCIX, 2012)
§ 21.52.050. Decision-making authority. ¶
A. The City Council may approve or deny amendments to this title, the general plan, or local coastal program.
Before the City Council decision, the Planning Commission shall hear and consider the application and shall prepare a recommendation for the City Council that includes the reasons for the recommendation and the relationship of the proposed amendment to applicable provisions of this title, the general plan and local coastal program, and any applicable master or specific plan.
The City Council shall hear the matter, and after considering the findings and recommendations of the Planning Commission, may approve, conditionally approve, or deny amendments to this title, the general plan or local coastal program.
The City Council may make substantial modifications to the Planning Commission's recommendation on a proposed amendment to this title, the general plan, or local coastal program, including modifications not previously considered by the Planning Commission. The City Council, in its discretion, may refer said modifications back to the Planning Commission for recommendation.
B. Amendments to the local coastal program are also subject to approval by the California Coastal Commission.
(Ord. CS-178 § XCIX, 2012)
§ 21.52.060. Announcement of decision and findings of fact. ¶
When a decision is made pursuant to this chapter, the decision-making authority shall announce its decision in writing in accordance with the provisions of Section 21.54.120 of this title. (Ord. CS-178 § XCIX, 2012)
§ 21.52.070. Effective date. ¶
A. A decision of the City Council to amend the general plan or this title is final, conclusive and shall be effective thirty days after the City Council's adoption of the resolution (for amendments to the general plan) or ordinance (for amendments to this title).
B. Within the coastal zone, the City Council's approval of an amendment to the local coastal program shall not become effective until the amendment is approved by the California Coastal Commission, pursuant to Section 30514 of the Public Resources Code.
(Ord. CS-178 § XCIX, 2012)
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — Carlsbad Zoning Code
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▸ Title 21 — Zoning
Overview- Chapter 21.02 — PURPOSE
- Chapter 21.04 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 21.05 — ZONE ESTABLISHMENT—BOUNDARIES
- Chapter 21.06 — Q QUALIFIED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 21.07 — E-A EXCLUSIVE AGRICULTURAL ZONE
- Chapter 21.09 — R-E RURAL RESIDENTIAL ESTATE ZONE
- Chapter 21.10 — R-1 ONE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE
- Chapter 21.12 — R-2 TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE
- Chapter 21.16 — R-3 MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE
- Chapter 21.18 — R-P RESIDENTIAL PROFESSIONAL ZONE
- Chapter 21.20 — R-T RESIDENTIAL TOURIST ZONE
- Chapter 21.21 — H-O HOSPITAL OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 21.22 — R-W RESIDENTIAL WATERWAY ZONE
- Chapter 21.24 — RD-M RESIDENTIAL DENSITY-MULTIPLE ZONE
- Chapter 21.25 — COMMUNITY FACILITIES ZONE
- Chapter 21.26 — C-1 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL ZONE
- Chapter 21.27 — OFFICE ZONE
- Chapter 21.28 — C-2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONE
- Chapter 8.09
- Chapter 21.29 — C-T COMMERCIAL TOURIST ZONE
- Chapter 21.30 — C-M HEAVY COMMERCIAL—LIMITED INDUSTRIAL ZONE
- Chapter 21.31 — C-L LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER ZONE
- Chapter 21.32 — M INDUSTRIAL ZONE
- Chapter 21.33 — OS OPEN SPACE ZONE
- Chapter 21.34 — P-M PLANNED INDUSTRIAL ZONE
- Chapter 21.35 — V-B VILLAGE-BARRIO ZONE
- Chapter 21.36 — P-U PUBLIC UTILITY ZONE
- Chapter 21.37 — RMHP RESIDENTIAL MOBILE HOME PARK ZONE
- Chapter 21.38 — P-C PLANNED COMMUNITY ZONE
- Chapter 21.39 — L-C LIMITED CONTROL ZONE
- Chapter 21.40 — S-P SCENIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 21.41 — SIGN ORDINANCE
- Chapter 21.42 — MINOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS AND CONDITIONAL …
- Chapter 21.43 — ADULT BUSINESSES
- Chapter 21.44 — PARKING
- Chapter 21.45 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS
- Chapter 21.46 — YARDS
- Chapter 21.47 — NONRESIDENTIAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS
- Chapter 21.48 — NONCONFORMING LOTS, STRUCTURES AND USES
- Chapter 21.49 — PLANNING MORATORIUM
- Chapter 21.50 — VARIANCES
- Chapter 21.52 — AMENDMENTS
- Chapter 21.53 — USES GENERALLY
- Chapter 21.54 — PROCEDURES, HEARINGS, NOTICES AND FEES
- Chapter 21.55 — DEDICATION OF LAND AND FEES FOR SCHOOL FACILIT…
- Chapter 21.56 — INTERPRETATION
- Chapter 21.58 — VIOLATION—REVOCATION— EXPIRATION
- Chapter 21.60 — PERMITS—LICENSE ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 21.61 — JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ZONING DECISIONS AND TIME L…
- Chapter 21.62 — VIOLATIONS
- Chapter 21.70 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
- Chapter 21.80 — COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMITS— AGUA HEDIONDA
- Chapter 21.82 — BEACH AREA OVERLAY (BAO) ZONES
- Chapter 21.83 — CHILD CARE
- Chapter 21.84 — HOUSING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
- Chapter 21.85 — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING
- Chapter 21.86 — DENSITY BONUS
- Chapter 21.87 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
- Chapter 21.88 — MULTIFAMILY HOUSING AND MIXEDUSE DEVELOPMENT—O…
- Chapter 21.89 — SUBSTANTIAL CONFORMANCE REVIEW
- Chapter 21.90 — GROWTH MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 21.95 — HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
- Chapter 21.100 — T-C TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR
- Chapter 21.105 — RECYCLING FACILITIES AND RECYCLING AREAS
- Chapter 21.110 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
- Chapter 21.201 — COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PROCEDURES
- Chapter 21.202 — COASTAL AGRICULTURE OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 21.203 — COASTAL RESOURCE PROTECTION OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 21.204 — COASTAL SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 21.205 — COASTAL RESOURCE OVERLAY ZONE MELLO I LCP SEG…
- Chapter 21.208 — COMMERCIAL/VISITOR-SERVING OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 21.209 — CR-A/OS CANNON ROAD AGRICULTURAL/OPEN SPACE Z…
- Chapter 21.210 — HABITAT PRESERVATION AND MANAGEMENT REQUIREME…