Community Development

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Fax: (714) 374-1647

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Local Coastal Program

Local Coastal Program

The California Coastal Act (California State Public Resources Code, Division 20, Sections 30000 et seq.) directs each local government lying wholly or partly within the Coastal Zone, as defined by the Coastal Act, to prepare a Local Coastal Program for its portion of the Coastal Zone. Local Coastal Programs are used to carry out the policies and requirements of the Coastal Act by local governments. Local Coastal Programs must be reviewed and certified by the California Coastal Commission before being implemented by a local government.

The City of Huntington Beach has a certified local coastal program, which is divided into two components:

1.) A Coastal Element; and

2.) An Implementation Program.

The coastal element includes a land use plan and goals and policies to be used by decision-makers when reviewing coastal related issues and proposed development within the Coastal Zone boundary. The Huntington Beach Coastal Element was initially certified by the California Coastal Commission in 1985 and last comprehensively updated in 2001.

Coastal Element - As Amended through 2011

The implementation program includes the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance (HBZSO), zoning map, and specific plans that include areas within the Coastal Zone. The City’s coastal zone includes eight specific plan areas, six of which have been certified by the Coastal Commission. The implementation program must be consistent with the goals and policies of the coastal element and land use plan.

Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance (HBZSO)

Specific Plans in the Coastal Zone

? Downtown (SP5)

? Huntington Harbour Bay Club (SP4)

? A portion of Holly Seacliff (SP9)

? Seacliff (SP6)

? Magnolia/Pacific (SP10)

? Palm/Goldenwest (SP12)

? Brightwater (SP15) – not certified

? Sunset Beach (SP 17) – not certified

Did you know?

The City maintains 124 traffic signals. Report malfunctions to (714) 960-8861(City) or Caltrans (PCH & Beach Blvd) (949) 936-3600. You can also report a malfunction online.