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Title III›Division 1 — PLANNING›Chapter 2

50.7 PROCESSING OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

Humboldt County Zoning Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-07-09 · Humboldt County

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

The Community Development Services Department shall process an application for amendment as follows:

50.7.1 Administrative Review. The Department shall process the application for amendment through the project review process in accordance with Sections 65800 through 65863.9 of the California Government Code, Sections 21000 through 21177 of the California Public Resources Code and Sections 15000 through 15387 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, or any successor provisions to the statutes and regulations listed in this subsection. (Former Section INL#317-4, 317-5(b), 317-5(c); CZ#A316-6(A); Ord. 894, Sec. 1, 12/19/72; Ord. 1107, Sec. 1, 11/9/76; Amended by Ord. 1251, Sec. 1, 8/15/78; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.2 Planning Commission Hearing.

50.7.2.1 After Administrative Review, the Planning Commission shall hold a duly noticed public hearing on the application for amendment. Notice shall be given pursuant to Sections 65090 through 65094 and in accordance with Section 65854 of the California Government Code. (Former Section INL#317-4, 317-5(a), 317-5(b); CZ#A316-6(B); Ord. 894, Sec. 1, 12/19/72; Ord. 1107, Sec. 1, 11/9/76; Amended by Ord. 1251, Sec. 1, 8/15/78)

50.7.2.2 At the Public Hearing, the Planning Commission shall review the proposed amendment and shall receive pertinent evidence relating to the following: (Former Section INL#317-6(a)(1); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.2.2.1 Whether the proposed amendment is in the public interest; and, (Former Section INL#317-6(a)(1); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.2.2.2 Whether the proposed amendment is consistent with the General Plan. (Former Section INL#317-6(a)(2); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.2.2.3 If the amendment requires a Local Coastal Plan Amendment, whether the amendment is in conformity with the policies of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30200) of the Coastal Act. (Ord. 2214, 6/6/2000)

50.7.2.3 The Public Hearing may be continued if necessary, but shall be concluded within a reasonable period. (Former Section INL#317-7; Ord. 1007, Sec. 1, 11/9/76))

50.7.3 Planning Commission Recommendation. After the hearing, the Commission shall make a recommendation on the application for amendment to the Board of Supervisors. Failure of the Planning Commission to make a recommendation within thirty (30) working days after the conclusion of the hearing, shall be deemed to be a recommendation for denial of the application for amendment. (Former Section INL#317-7; CZ#A316-6(C); Ord. 894, Sec. 1, 12/19/72; Ord. 1107, Sec. 1, 11/9/76; Amended by Ord. 1251, Sec. 1, 8/15/78; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.4 Board of Supervisors Hearing.

50.7.4.1 Scheduling. Upon receipt of the Planning Commission’s recommendation, the Board of Supervisors shall schedule a duly noticed public hearing on the proposed amendment. Notice shall be given pursuant to

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

Page 80 of 1183

Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

Sections 65090 through 65094 of the California Government Code. (Former Section INL#317-8; CZ#A316- 6(D); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.4.2 When the Board Shall Not Be Required to Hold a Hearing Nor Take Any Further Action.

If the

amendment involves change of property from one zone to another, and the Planning Commission has recommended that the proposed amendment be denied, the Board shall not be required to hold a hearing nor take any further action unless any interested party files a written request for hearing with the Clerk of the Board no later than five (5) calendar days after the Planning Commission recommendations are filed with the Board. The fee for a request for hearing established by the Board of Supervisors shall be paid when the request is filed. The request shall identify the grounds for the request. (Former Section INL#317- 8; CZ#A316-6(D); Ord. 1516, Sec. 1, 3/30/82; Amended by Ord. 1609, Sec. 1, 8/9/83;

Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.4.3 Public Hearing. At the Public Hearing the Board of Supervisors shall review the proposed amendment and may receive pertinent evidence on the following matters: (Former Section INL#317-9(a); Ord. 894, Sec. 1, 12/19/72; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.4.3.1 Whether the proposed amendment is in the public interest; and, (Former Section INL#317-9(a)(1); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.4.3.2 Whether the proposed amendment is consistent with the General Plan. (Former Section INL#317-9(a)(2); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.4.3.3 If the amendment requires a Local Coastal Plan Amendment, whether the amendment is in conformity with the policies of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30200) of the Coastal Act. (Ord. 2214, 6/6/2000)

50.7.5 Board of Supervisors Action

50.7.5.1 For all amendments to the Zoning Code or Maps, the Board of Supervisors may approve, modify or disapprove the recommendation of the Planning Commission. Any substantial modification by the Board of Supervisors during its Public Hearing, which was not previously considered by the Planning Commission, shall first be referred to the Planning Commission for report and recommendation. Failure of the Planning Commission to report within forty (40) calendar days after the referral, or a longer period designated by the Board of Supervisors, shall be deemed as approval. (Former Section INL#317-10(b); Ord. 1007, Sec. 1, 11/9/76; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.5.2 After the hearing, the Board of Supervisors shall render a decision on the application for amendment. Failure of the Board of Supervisors to render its decision on the matter within thirty (30) working days of the conclusion of the hearing shall be deemed to be a denial of the application for amendment. The Board of Supervisors may approve the proposed reclassification if it makes the required findings related to the evidence received. The Board of Supervisors may also impose conditions necessary to promote public health, safety, and welfare. (Former Section INL#317-9(a)(1), 317-9(a)(2), 317-9(b), 317-10(c); CZ#A316-6(E); Ord. 894, Sec. 1, 12/19/72; Ord. 1007, Sec. 1, 11/9/76; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

Page 81 of 1183

Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

50.7.6 Notice of Action. Within ten (10) working days after a decision by the Board of Supervisors, the Clerk of the Board shall give notice of the decision to the petitioner for the amendment and any other party who has requested such notice. Notice of the decision shall be provided to the Coastal Commission for an amendment that affects property within the Humboldt County Coastal Zone. (Former Section CZ#A316-6(F); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.7 Notice of Environmental Determination. Following each amendment approved by the Board of Supervisors, a Notice of Determination shall be filed pursuant to all requirements of Sections 15075 and 15094 of the California Code of Regulations and Section 21152 of the California Public Resources Code, or any successor provisions thereto. (Former Section CZ#A316-6(G); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

50.7.8 Coastal Commission Certification. An approval of an application for amendment that affects property within the Humboldt County Coastal Zone shall not become effective until the amendment has been approved and certified by the Coastal Commission. (Former Section CZ#A316-6(H))

50.7.9 Limits to Reapplication for Zone Reclassification. Following the grant or denial of an application for a Zone Reclassification, no new application shall be accepted within one (1) year for the same or substantially the same property. (Former Section INL#317-11; Ord. 894, Sec. 1, 12/19/72)

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▸ Contents — Humboldt County Zoning Code
Humboldt County Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Title III
    Overview
    1. ▸ Division 1 — PLANNING
      Overview
      1. Chapter 2 — ADMINISTRATION, PROCEDURES, AMENDMENTS AND ENFORCE…
      2. Chapter 1
      3. ▸ Chapter 2
        Overview
        1. 1.2 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
        2. 1.3 PLANNING COMMISSION FORMATION AND COMPOSITION
        3. 2.1 PURPOSE
        4. 2.2 REQUIRED ZONING CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE
        5. 2.3 FILING AND PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR A ZONING CLEARANCE …
        6. 2.5 EXPIRATION OF ZONING CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES
        7. 3.2 VARIANCES
        8. 4.1 CONDITIONS
        9. 4.2 PROHIBITED CONDITIONS
        10. 4.3 SECURITY MAY BE REQUIRED
        11. 4.4 INSPECTION FEE
        12. 5.2 APPLICATION FORM AND FILING FEE
        13. 6.1 APPLICATION CHECK
        14. 6.3 PUBLIC REVIEW
        15. 6.5 PROJECT APPROVAL
        16. 6.7 NOTICE OF DECISION
        17. 7.1 INITIAL STUDY CONFERENCE
        18. 7.2 PUBLIC COASTAL ACCESS PROTECTION REVIEW
        19. 7.4 WETLAND RESTORATION PLAN PROCEDURE
        20. 7.5 APPLICATION PROCESSING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR OTHER COUNTY D…
        21. 8.1 NOTICE OF APPLICATION SUBMITTAL
        22. 8.2 CONTENT OF THE NOTICE OF APPLICATION SUBMITTAL
        23. 8.3 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
        24. 8.4 CONTENT OF A PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
        25. 8.5 REQUESTS FOR NOTIFICATION
        26. 9.1 PUBLIC HEARINGS REQUIRED UNLESS WAIVED
        27. 9.2 PUBLIC HEARING MAY BE WAIVED
        28. 10.1 EFFECT OF PERMIT OR VARIANCE
        29. 10.2 EFFECTIVE DATE OF PERMIT OR VARIANCE
        30. 10.3 ASSIGNMENTS OF PERMITS AND VARIANCES
        31. 10.4 RIGHTS ATTACHED TO PERMITS AND VARIANCES
        32. 10.5 EXPIRATION OF DEVELOPMENT PERMITS AND VARIANCES
        33. 10.6 RENEWAL OF DEVELOPMENT PERMITS AND VARIANCES
        34. 11.1 MINOR DEVIATION FROM THE PLOT PLAN
        35. 11.2 APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A DEVELOPMENT PERMIT OR V…
        36. 11.3 EXTENSION OF A PERMIT OR VARIANCE
        37. 12.1 REAPPLICATION IF APPLICATION IS DENIED
        38. 13.1 APPEALS TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
        39. 13.2 GROUNDS FOR APPEAL
        40. 13.3 EFFECT OF FILING AN APPEAL
        41. 13.4 PROCESSING AN APPEAL
        42. 13.5 HEARING REQUIRED
        43. 13.6 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
        44. 13.7 DECISION AND NOTICE OF FINAL ACTION
        45. 13.8 FINALITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE
        46. 13.9 IF NO DECISION REACHED
        47. 13.10 RIGHT TO DECIDE ALL MATTERS
        48. 13.11 MAJOR VEGETATION REMOVAL: APPEAL OF THE DIRECTOR’S DETER…
        49. 13.12 APPEALS TO THE COASTAL COMMISSION
        50. 13.13 GROUNDS FOR APPEAL TO THE COASTAL COMMISSION
        51. 14.1 SUSPENSION
        52. 14.2 REVOCATION
        53. 15.1 APPLICABILITY
        54. 15.4 CRITERIA FOR WAIVER OF PROCEDURES
        55. 15.5 STANDARD PERMIT OR VARIANCE REQUIRED
        56. 16.1 APPLICABILITY
        57. 16.3 APPLICATION FOR WAIVER OF PROCEDURES
        58. 16.4 PROCEEDINGS FOR WAIVER OF PROCEDURES
        59. 16.5 FINDINGS
        60. 16.6 DECISION ON DE MINIMUS WAIVERS IS FINAL
        61. 16.7 EXPIRATION OF DE MINIMUS WAIVERS
        62. 17.2 REQUIRED FINDINGS FOR VARIANCES
        63. 17.3 SUPPLEMENTAL FINDINGS
        64. 18.1 CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED USES IN AN AE ZONE
        65. 19.1 OIL AND GAS PIPELINES
        66. 19.2 SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
        67. 21.1 USES PERMITTED WITH A CONDITIONAL OR SPECIAL PERMIT IN TC…
        68. 22.2 SURFACE MINING
        69. 23.1 HAZARDOUS INDUSTRY
        70. 25.1 SECONDARY DWELLING UNIT
        71. 26.1 ALQUIST-PRIOLO GEOLOGIC FAULT HAZARD AREAS
        72. 30.1 CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED USES IN AN AE ZONE
        73. 31.1 ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES
        74. 31.3 WIND ELECTRICAL GENERATING FACILITIES
        75. 31.4 SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
        76. 32.1 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
        77. 35.1 COASTAL DEPENDENT INDUSTRY
        78. 35.2 MARINE PETROLEUM TRANSFER FACILITIES
        79. 35.3 DREDGE SPOILS DISPOSAL
        80. 38.2 COASTAL SHORELINES
        81. 39.2 PUBLIC ACCESS
        82. 39.3 COASTAL SCENIC AREAS
        83. 39.4 COASTAL STREAMS AND RIPARIAN AREAS
        84. 39.5 COASTAL VIEW AREAS
        85. 39.6 COASTAL DUNE AND BEACH AREAS
        86. 39.7 COASTAL ELK HABITAT AREAS
        87. 39.8 COASTAL NATURAL DRAINAGE COURSES
        88. 39.9 COASTAL NATURAL LANDFORMS
        89. 39.10 OFFSHORE ROCKS AND ROCKY INTERTIDAL AREAS
        90. 39.11 COASTAL ROAD CONSTRUCTION
        91. 39.12 COASTAL TRANSITIONAL AGRICULTURAL LAND
        92. 39.13 COASTAL VEGETATION REMOVAL, MAJOR
        93. 39.14 COASTAL WETLANDS
        94. 39.15 COASTAL WETLAND BUFFERS
        95. 40.2 SUBDIVISIONS IN AGRICULTURAL EXCLUSIVE 160 AND 600 ACRE M…
        96. 40.3 SUBDIVISIONS IN A COMMERCIAL RECREATION ZONE
        97. 41.1 FINDINGS FOR EXCEPTIONS
        98. 42.1 PURPOSE
        99. 42.2 APPLICABILITY
        100. 42.3 DEFINITIONS
        101. 42.4 NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AVAILABILITY OF ACCOMMODATION PRO…
        102. 42.5 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
        103. 42.6 REVIEW AUTHORITY AND PROCEDURES
        104. 42.7 FINDINGS AND DECISION
        105. 42.8 ALTERNATIVE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
        106. 42.9 APPEAL FILING AND PROCEDURES
        107. 42.10 EXPIRATION OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
        108. 50.1 PURPOSE
        109. 50.2 AUTHORITY TO MAKE AMENDMENTS
        110. 50.3 REQUIRED FINDINGS FOR ALL AMENDMENTS
        111. 50.4 INITIATING AMENDMENTS
        112. 50.5 PETITION FORM, FILING, AND FEE
        113. 50.6 PETITION IN CONJUNCTION WITH A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT
        114. 50.7 PROCESSING OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
        115. 50.8 SUPPLEMENTAL TIMBERLAND PRODUCTION ZONING PROCEDURES
        116. 51.1 DUTY TO ENFORCE
        117. 51.2 EXCEPTIONS
        118. 51.3 PERMITS IN CONFLICT WITH THIS CODE
        119. 51.4 INSPECTION TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE
        120. 51.5 VIOLATION OF THE COUNTY ZONING REGULATIONS
      4. Chapter 3
      5. Part 1 — PRINCIPAL ZONES
      6. Part 2 — SPECIAL AREA COMBINING ZONES
      7. Part 1 — USES AND ACTIVITIES
      8. Part 2 — STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES
      9. Part 3 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      10. Part 4 — REGULATIONS THAT APPLY IN SENSITIVE HABITATS AND HAZA…
      11. Part 5 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
      12. Part 1 — CLASSIFICATION OF USE TYPES
      13. Part 2 — GLOSSARY OF USE TYPES
      14. Part 1 — PRINCIPAL ZONES
      15. Part 2 — REGULATIONS FOR THE COMBINING ZONES
      16. Part 1 — USES AND ACTIVITIES
      17. Part 2 — STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES
      18. Part 3 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      19. Part 4 — (SECTION RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE)
      20. Part 5 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
      21. Part 1 — CLASSIFICATION OF USE TYPES
      22. Part 2 — GLOSSARY OF USE TYPES
  2. Title III — LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT

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