Community Development

Main: (714) 536-5241
Fax: (714) 374-1647

Walk-in Hours:
Monday–Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

*Email [email protected] for requests outside of walk-in hours

Planning Division

Effective July 1, 2023, new citywide fee structure will go into effect. This includes a 2.29% fee on the total payment for all debit and credit card transactions.

“Per City Council’s direction at the March 7, 2023 City Council meeting, City staff will continue accepting Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) applications.”

We are pleased to announce that Certificate of Occupancy applications are now being processed exclusively through the HB ACA (Accela Citizen Access) portal. To initiate your application, kindly create an account on HB ACA. For detailed instructions, please refer to the following link here.

Link to Certificate of Occupancy

We will review your application and respond within 3-5 business days.

City Hall is now open for in person services! To get in line for Permit Center services, please click the Get in Line link below. *Note: Permit Center hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.

The City of Huntington Beach’s new electronic permit processing system HB ACA (Accela Citizen Access) is now open for submittals! For fastest processing, electronic submittals are highly encouraged.

You may also contact the Community Development Department via email at [email protected], the MyHB app on your mobile device, the City website, or our online submittal system HB ACA.

HB ACA provides 24/7 online services for citizens, including:

Permit, Planning, and Plan Check Applications
Payment Processing Online
Inspection Scheduling Instantly (including viewing inspection results)
Status of your project throughout the process
Record Research (for records from 1996-2021)
Searching Code Enforcement Records

Please read all instructions for setting up an account and submitting applications online through HB ACA before submitting a new application. If you have any questions on the submittal process after reading the instructions link below, please contact us at [email protected].

HB ACA Instructions – Before You Apply Online

HB ACA - Apply Online Here

*Please login to HB ACA from a full web browser since certain functionality is not available on a mobile device.

Please see Links below for Planning Division

PLANNING FAQ QUICKLINKS:

FEMA Flood Zone Search by Address
Parcel Maps (lot dimensions) (County of Orange GIS)
City Zoning Map
Residential Development Standards (Height, setbacks, etc)
Permitted Uses: Commercial Zones
Permitted Uses: Industrial Zones
Parking Requirements: All Zones
Sign Requirements: All Zones
Fence Requirements: All Zones
Beach-Edinger Corridor Specific Plan (SP14)
Downtown Specific Plan (SP5)
Bella Terra Specific Plan (SP13)
Planning Fee Schedule

Huntington Beach City Hall, 2000 Main Street 3rd Floor
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 536-5271
Public Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Welcome to the City of Huntington Beach Planning Division. Our objective is to provide responsive, knowledgeable and helpful planning services to the community. Please refer to the links below for specific topic related information.

Current Planning Activity

Planning Applications in Process

Major Projects

FEMA - Open Pacific Coast Study (2017)

Development Impact Fees

Bolsa Chica Lowlands Annexation Study

Requests for Proposals

2010 Census Information

AES Huntington Beach

Current Planning Activity

Application Forms

Planning Fee Schedule

Flood Worksheet

2020 Flood Brochure

How to File an Application

Helpful Information for Business Owners

Department Service Goals & Expectations

Commission and Board Agendas

Planning Commission Agendas/Reports

Zoning Administrator Agendas/Reports

Design Review Board Agendas

Environmental Assessment Committee Agendas

Environmental Board Agendas

Historic Resources Board

Planning Documents and Reports

General Plan

Local Coastal Program

Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance

Zoning Map

Specific Plans

Design Guidelines

Environmental Reports (EIR's, MNDs and Initial Studies)

Demographics/Census/Population

Summary of Development Impact Fees

Planning Divisions Sections

Request to receive any Commission Agendas and/or Newsletters by e-mail. Please note in the subject line which Commission Agendas and/or newsletters you wish to receive.

Mission Statement

"The City of Huntington Beach provides sustainable quality services to maintain and enhance our safe and vibrant community."

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions for the Community Development Department website, please e-mail the webmaster.

Did you know?

Learn "hands on" about the HBPD by participating in the Citizens Academy. Each session is 11 weeks long and is offered twice a year. Learn about Patrol, Traffic, Vice, SWAT, K-9, Aero and more! Apply here.