Skip to content

Title 21 — Zoning

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:

    1. The verified application of one or more owners of property or building proposed to be changed or reclassified;

    2. Resolution of intention of the City Council;

    3. Resolution of intention of the Planning Commission;

    4. 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:

    1. Be made in writing on a form provided by the City Planner;

    2. State fully the circumstances and conditions relied upon as grounds for the application; and

    3. 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:

  1. 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.

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3. 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)

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
Contents — Carlsbad Zoning Code
Carlsbad Zoning Code
  1. Title 21 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. Chapter 21.02 — PURPOSE
    2. Chapter 21.04 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Chapter 21.05 — ZONE ESTABLISHMENT—BOUNDARIES
    4. Chapter 21.06 — Q QUALIFIED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONE
    5. Chapter 21.07 — E-A EXCLUSIVE AGRICULTURAL ZONE
    6. Chapter 21.09 — R-E RURAL RESIDENTIAL ESTATE ZONE
    7. Chapter 21.10 — R-1 ONE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE
    8. Chapter 21.12 — R-2 TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE
    9. Chapter 21.16 — R-3 MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE
    10. Chapter 21.18 — R-P RESIDENTIAL PROFESSIONAL ZONE
    11. Chapter 21.20 — R-T RESIDENTIAL TOURIST ZONE
    12. Chapter 21.21 — H-O HOSPITAL OVERLAY ZONE
    13. Chapter 21.22 — R-W RESIDENTIAL WATERWAY ZONE
    14. Chapter 21.24 — RD-M RESIDENTIAL DENSITY-MULTIPLE ZONE
    15. Chapter 21.25 — COMMUNITY FACILITIES ZONE
    16. Chapter 21.26 — C-1 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL ZONE
    17. Chapter 21.27 — OFFICE ZONE
    18. Chapter 21.28 — C-2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONE
    19. Chapter 8.09
    20. Chapter 21.29 — C-T COMMERCIAL TOURIST ZONE
    21. Chapter 21.30 — C-M HEAVY COMMERCIAL—LIMITED INDUSTRIAL ZONE
    22. Chapter 21.31 — C-L LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER ZONE
    23. Chapter 21.32 — M INDUSTRIAL ZONE
    24. Chapter 21.33 — OS OPEN SPACE ZONE
    25. Chapter 21.34 — P-M PLANNED INDUSTRIAL ZONE
    26. Chapter 21.35 — V-B VILLAGE-BARRIO ZONE
    27. Chapter 21.36 — P-U PUBLIC UTILITY ZONE
    28. Chapter 21.37 — RMHP RESIDENTIAL MOBILE HOME PARK ZONE
    29. Chapter 21.38 — P-C PLANNED COMMUNITY ZONE
    30. Chapter 21.39 — L-C LIMITED CONTROL ZONE
    31. Chapter 21.40 — S-P SCENIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY ZONE
    32. Chapter 21.41 — SIGN ORDINANCE
    33. Chapter 21.42 — MINOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS AND CONDITIONAL …
    34. Chapter 21.43 — ADULT BUSINESSES
    35. Chapter 21.44 — PARKING
    36. Chapter 21.45 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS
    37. Chapter 21.46 — YARDS
    38. Chapter 21.47 — NONRESIDENTIAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS
    39. Chapter 21.48 — NONCONFORMING LOTS, STRUCTURES AND USES
    40. Chapter 21.49 — PLANNING MORATORIUM
    41. Chapter 21.50 — VARIANCES
    42. Chapter 21.52 — AMENDMENTS
    43. Chapter 21.53 — USES GENERALLY
    44. Chapter 21.54 — PROCEDURES, HEARINGS, NOTICES AND FEES
    45. Chapter 21.55 — DEDICATION OF LAND AND FEES FOR SCHOOL FACILIT…
    46. Chapter 21.56 — INTERPRETATION
    47. Chapter 21.58 — VIOLATION—REVOCATION— EXPIRATION
    48. Chapter 21.60 — PERMITS—LICENSE ENFORCEMENT
    49. Chapter 21.61 — JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ZONING DECISIONS AND TIME L…
    50. Chapter 21.62 — VIOLATIONS
    51. Chapter 21.70 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    52. Chapter 21.80 — COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMITS— AGUA HEDIONDA
    53. Chapter 21.82 — BEACH AREA OVERLAY (BAO) ZONES
    54. Chapter 21.83 — CHILD CARE
    55. Chapter 21.84 — HOUSING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
    56. Chapter 21.85 — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING
    57. Chapter 21.86 — DENSITY BONUS
    58. Chapter 21.87 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
    59. Chapter 21.88 — MULTIFAMILY HOUSING AND MIXEDUSE DEVELOPMENT—O…
    60. Chapter 21.89 — SUBSTANTIAL CONFORMANCE REVIEW
    61. Chapter 21.90 — GROWTH MANAGEMENT
    62. Chapter 21.95 — HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
    63. Chapter 21.100 — T-C TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR
    64. Chapter 21.105 — RECYCLING FACILITIES AND RECYCLING AREAS
    65. Chapter 21.110 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
    66. Chapter 21.201 — COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PROCEDURES
    67. Chapter 21.202 — COASTAL AGRICULTURE OVERLAY ZONE
    68. Chapter 21.203 — COASTAL RESOURCE PROTECTION OVERLAY ZONE
    69. Chapter 21.204 — COASTAL SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONE
    70. Chapter 21.205 — COASTAL RESOURCE OVERLAY ZONE MELLO I LCP SEG…
    71. Chapter 21.208 — COMMERCIAL/VISITOR-SERVING OVERLAY ZONE
    72. Chapter 21.209 — CR-A/OS CANNON ROAD AGRICULTURAL/OPEN SPACE Z…
    73. Chapter 21.210 — HABITAT PRESERVATION AND MANAGEMENT REQUIREME…

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.