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The California Legislature enacted the Coastal Act in 1976, creating a mandate for coastal counties to manage the conservation and development of coastal resources through a comprehensive planning and regulatory program called the Local Coastal Program (LCP).
The Local Coastal Program (LCP) is a planning document that identifies the location, type, densities, and other ground rules for future development in the coastal zone. Each LCP includes a land use plan and its implementing measures. These programs govern decisions that determine the short and long term conservation and use of coastal land, water, and other resources.
CDA organized an LCP photo contest of Marin's coastal areas for residents and visitors. You can view the submissions by visiting our photo gallery.
News and Announcements
Local Coastal Program Environmental Hazards Update
March 30, 2022 Environmental Hazards Listening Session Summary
Together with the California Coastal Commission (CCC) North Central Coast District Staff, the Community Development Agency (CDA) hosted a Local Coastal Program (LCP) Environmental Hazards Listening Session on March 30, 2022.
The first portion of the Listening Session served to both brief members of the public on the status of the Environmental Hazards Update and introduce coastal planning considerations that both CDA and Coastal Commission staff must take into account when developing environmental hazard policies. During the latter portion of the meeting, members of the public had an opportunity to share their thoughts and visions for the County’s coastal future.
Community members stressed that there is a desire for the policies to promote resilient communities that can adapt to the unknowns associated with climate change and sea level rise, while also allowing for improvements to private property that address health and safety issues. Environmental hazard policies should provide clarity on what property owners can do to improve, repair, and maintain their existing homes. Policies should be easily understood, and terms should be defined to avoid confusion or misinterpretations.
Section 30116 of the Coastal Act defines sensitive coastal resource areas, which include, “special communities or neighborhoods which are significant visitor destination areas.” Several commenters stated that their interpretation of that policy requires that the update must consider coastal communities with equal weight as scenic and natural resources.
Overall, commenters emphasized the idea that protecting coast is not a zero sum game where existing development must be removed. Instead, the Coastal Act seeks a balance between both the built and natural environment.
Both CCC and CDA staffs will consider the comments shared during this Listening Session as we continue to engage directly, and as the County develops draft environmental hazard policies, before returning to the public for the next round of community input.
Listening Session Materials
The meeting presentation can be found here.
A recording of the meeting can be found here.
If you have not yet done so, please subscribe to the LCP project webpage at www.marinlcp.org to be informed of any news and updates related to the Environmental Hazards Update. Further, if you have any questions, please reach out to marinlcp@marincounty.org.
Updated Local Coastal Program Now In Effect
On July 13, 2021, the Board of Supervisors, after a public hearing, unanimously adopted a Resolution that placed the entire updated portions of the County's Local Coastal Program (LCP) Amendments into effect August 12, 2021. These updates have recently completed the certification process by the California Coastal Commission and include the full LCP less the environmental hazards policies that are currently in the process of public input and comment by stakeholders, to be followed by community workshops and hearings in the fall, with adoption by the Board by the end of the year.
The new components of Marin's LCP, including many new and improved policies and code provisions designed to protect natural resources, preserve agricultural uses and clarify permit processes among other benefits.
The following documents highlight some of the new Land Use and Coastal Permit Framework changes.
Reflecting the Organization of Marin’s Countywide Plan, the update Land Use Policies are grouped in three sections: Natural Systems and Agriculture, the Built Environment, and Socioeconomic policies. Within these are the following chapters:
Natural Systems and Agriculture
Built Environment
Socioeconomic
In addition, the Implementation Plan carries out these policies, including procedures and standards for development permitting.
The newly activated Land Use and Implementation Plans can be accessed through the links below or the Plans, Policies, and Regulations - Local Coastal Program page.
Marin County 2019 Land Use Plan (not including Environmental Hazards)
Marin County 2019 Implementation Plan (not including Environmental Hazards)
The current, certified Environmental Hazards sections remain in effect, and can be accessed here:
Marin 2004 Land Use Plan, Unit I (Environmental Hazards only)
Marin 2004 Land Use Plan, Unit II (Environmental Hazards only)
Title 22I, Section 22.56.130I (Subsections H, K, and L)