Permitting, Planning, Enforcement
and Resource Protection Programs

Regulatory (Coastal Development Permits) New development in the Coastal Zone that requires a permit from the Coastal Commission or the appropriate local government generally includes:

  the placement of any solid material or structure;
  a change in land use density or intensity (including any land division);
  change in the intensity of water use or access to water;
  removal of major vegetation.

However, some types of development are exempt from coastal permitting requirements, including:

  in many cases, repairs and improvements to single-family homes;
  certain "temporary events";
  and, under specified conditions, replacement of structures destroyed by natural disaster.

See the Coastal Act and the Commission's regulations for more details.

Contact the appropriate Commission office for information on the permit application process. If the project is in a city or county issuing its own coastal permits, Commission staff will refer you to the appropriate local agency.

Local Coastal Programs (LCPs) identify the location, type, densities and other ground rules for future development in the coastal zone portions of the 73 cities and counties along the coast. Each LCP includes a land-use plan and its implementing measures (e.g., zoning ordinances). Prepared by local government and approved by the Coastal Commission, these programs govern decisions that determine the conservation and use of coastal resources. While each LCP reflects the unique characteristics of individual local coastal communities, regional and statewide concerns must also be addressed in conformity with Coastal Act goals and policies.

The goal of the Coastal Access Program is to maximize public access to and along the coast and to maximize public recreational opportunities in the coastal zone consistent with sound resources conservation principles and constitutionally protected rights of private property owners.

The mission of the Enforcement Program is to protect coastal resources by assuring that development is properly permitted, and that all terms and conditions of coastal development permits are satisfied, and to deter violations of the Coastal Act. To achieve this mission, the Enforcement Program seeks to respond quickly and effectively to significant violations of the Coastal Act’s permit requirements; to obtain timely restoration of coastal resources that have been damaged by violations; and, to reduce the incidence of significant Coastal Act violations through effective deterrence.

The Water Quality Program's mission is to protect and restore the ecological health and integrity of the ocean and California's coastal watersheds by encouraging the use of water quality planning principles.  The Program staff accomplishes this by:

• reviewing coastal development permits and local coastal program applications
• providing consultation to other Coastal Commission programs
• facilitating the implementation of California’s Nonpoint Source Program
• participating in local watershed planning groups
• and conducting public outreach and education through initiatives such as the Model Urban Runoff Program and Snapshot Day.

The Energy and Ocean Resources program reviews offshore and onshore oil and gas leasing, exploration, and development), power plants, and other offshore development such as fiber optic cables, artificial reefs, and aquaculture facilities. The Oil Spill Program, a part of Energy and Ocean Resources, participates in oil spill prevention, preparedness and response activities.

The Federal Consistency Program assures that federal activities, permits and funding approvals are conducted in a manner consistent with the state’s coastal program.