Zoning & Land Use Code

The purpose of zoning is to implement the policies of the General Plan. The zoning of a property will confirm what types of activities are allowed on a parcel. Article 2 of the  Arcata Land Use Code identifies the allowable land uses for Arcata’s various zoning districts.

Confirm the Zoning of an Assessor Parcel No.

The Zoning Map identifies the locations of the City’s various zoning districts. This map is helpful in determining where activities are allowed throughout the City.  To check the zoning for a property:

1. Go to https://gis01.cityofarcata.org/web/COA_Parcel_finder/
2. Insert an address or APN in the top left search field.
3. Open the Layer List (icon with 3 squares vertically stacked).
4. Place a check in "GIS Layers", then “Land Use-General Plan”, then “Zoning (LUC)”
5. The map will turn different colors.
6. Click on the arrow next to the “Zoning (LUC)” box for a legend of the colors.

Zoning Compliance Tables

The Zoning Compliance Tables identify the development standards and zone requirements for each of the City’s zoning districts according to the Arcata Land Use Code. These tables are helpful to ensure proposed projects meet the specific standards and requirements for the zoning district.

Arcata Land Use Code

The Arcata Land Use Code includes details about regulations such as the purpose and applicability of each chapter.  

Planning Permit Application & Deposit

Planning Permit Application

Depending on the proposed project, one or more planning permits may be required in addition to other permits required by other City departments such as a building permit or an encroachment permit from the Building & Engineering Department.

For example:

• A tree removal permit from the Planning Department may also require an encroachment permit from the Engineering Department if the tree removal service will have equipment staged in the public right-of-way.

Planning Permit Applications may be submitted by email or mail; however, Planning Permit Deposits (see below) will need to be made before the application is processed.

• Email to: comdev@cityofarcata.org 
• Mail to: City of Arcata, 736 F Street, Arcata, CA 95521

Planning Permit Deposit

Planning Permit processes and fees vary depending on the approval authority for the proposed project. A non-refundable deposit is required when submitting a Planning Permit Application. When the deposit is exhausted, customers are billed for any staff time or costs that exceed the amount of the deposit.

If you are not sure which deposit needs to be paid, please contact a Planner by emailing comdev@cityofarcata.org.

We accept cash, check, and credit card payments:

• Cash: Email comdev@cityofarcata.org or call #707-822-5955 to make arrangements for delivery of cash.
• Check: Use the City of Arcata payment boxes in front of City Hall (next to the mailbox) or in the rear City Hall parking lot (near the light pole facing the Library).
• Credit Card: Email comdev@cityofarcata.org or call #707-822-5955 to make arrangements to provide credit card information over the phone.  (Please note there is a 3% surcharge for credit card charges of $500 or more.)

Pre-Application Meetings

Larger or fairly complex development projects will usually benefit from a Pre-Application Meeting. This meeting brings together City staff from different departments, and sometimes outside agencies, to answer questions and provide comments on the proposed project. The purpose of the meeting is to understand what City staff will require for the proposed project, which will assist in helping make informed decisions.

There is no cost for Pre-Application Meetings. We request that documents and specific questions are provided at least a week in advance of the meeting. Electronic copies of all documents can be emailed, though hard copies of plans for larger projects may be requested to help facilitate review of the proposed project. 

• Meetings are held every other Monday at 3:30 p.m. 
• Contact comdev@cityofarcata.org or #707-822-5955 to start the process of scheduling a pre-application meeting.
• A Request for Pre-Application Meeting/Review will be required to reserve a meeting date.

Planning Permit Checklists

Administrative Actions

• Ministerial Tree Removal Information & Checklist
• Vision Clearance Waiver Information & Checklist
• Zoning Clearance Information & Checklist

Zoning Administrator / Director Action (with No Public Hearing)

• Certificate of Compliance Information & Checklist
• Home Occupation Permit Information & Checklist
• Interpretation / Determination Request Information & Checklist
• Lot Line Adjustment Information & Checklist
• Parcel Merger Information & Checklist
• Discretionary Tree Removal Information & Checklist

Zoning Administrator / Director Action (with Public Hearing)

• Coastal Development Information & Checklist
• Hillside Development Information & Checklist
• Parcel Map - Parcel Division into 4 or Fewer Parcels
• Minor Use Permit or Amendment
• Planned Development Permit or Amendment
• Variance

Planning Commission Action

• Use Permit Information & Checklist

Supplemental Application Materials

Site Plan / Plot Plan Checklist 

• Site Plan Checklist - Large Project
• Site Plan Checklist - Small Project

Landscape Plan Checklist

• Landscape Plan Checklist - Small Project
• Landscape Plan Checklist - Large Project

Appeals

Related Documents

• The City Vegetation Management Protocol provides information about nesting birds for tree removals.

Design Review

The City’s Land Use Code requires Design Review for certain construction projects to enhance the natural beauty and the historic and rural character of the City. Design Review is often part of a larger application process.  If a non-Administrative Design Review permit is needed, the same deposit applies, whether the public hearing is with the Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission.

Non-Administrative Design Review

The various types of Non-Administrative Design Review permits include:

• Small Design Review:  4 or fewer units, no more than two stories, no historic designation
• Large Design Review:  5 or more units, 3 or more stories, historic designation
• Sign Design Review:  Signs more than 20 SF, signs in residential zoning (unless smaller than 2 SF), in Neighborhood Conservation Areas, on historic structures or sites, part of a development project, and at the Director’s option
• Master Sign Design Review:  Signs for a non-residential project with 2 or more tenants, one main building 10,000 SF or more, on parcels one or more acres in size, on theaters or auditoriums (places of public assembly), on parcels with frontage on more than one street or alley, and non-conforming signs involuntarily damaged by more than 50% of its replacement cost