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Community Development
The City of Arcata’s Planning Division helps to navigate the physical growth of Arcata with an emphasis on optimizing the land use and development of the city for the public welfare of its citizens.
Guided by the City’s General Plan and Land Use Code, the Planning Division supports long- and short-term plans for the best utilization of land throughout Arcata, and makes recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council on proposed projects that will help to revitalize and prepare Arcata for future growth. The Planning Division also works with the Historic Landmarks Committee to ensure the continuity of the look and feel of the historic properties located throughout Arcata.
Major Development Projects
Major Development Projects that are happening throughout the City are identified in the map below. Click on a project outlined in red to find the link to more information on the project.
Short-Stay and Vacation Rental Permits
Short-Stay and Vacation Rental (SSVR) Permit Applications are now being accepted. More details about the SSVR Permits are on the Short-Stay and Vacation Rentals webpage.
Supporting a variety of housing opportunities in the City of Arcata is a primary goal of the City Council. The Housing Division uses grant funding and program income to provide affordable housing opportunities, and collaborates with Planning Division staff to assist developers of affordable and market rate housing projects.
The Housing Division also handles:
- Tenant-Based Rental Assistance ("TBRA")
- Substandard Housing
- Homeownership
- Mobilehome Rent Stabilization Ordinance
- Housing Projects
- Multi-Family Housing
- Permanent Supportive Housing
Short-Stay and Vacation Rental Permits
Short-Stay and Vacation Rental (SSVR) Permit Applications are now being accepted. More details about the SSVR Permits are on the Short-Stay and Vacation Rentals webpage.
Economic Development is the business of growing and supporting business, and the Economic Development Division oversee programs designed to promote healthy business in the City of Arcata such as:
- Business Assistance Loan Program
- Microenterprise Loan Program
- EPA Brownfields Program
The Foodworks Culinary Center is an incubator for small food manufacturers. Food producers rent the food-grade quality facility on a monthly or per-use basis, and have use of storage and equipment necessary for the high quality foodstuffs manufactured in Arcata.
The City of Arcata accepts applications for Commercial Cannabis Activity Perrmits in the zoning areas shown below. Cannabis retail sales and service regulations went into effect on July 6, 2018, through Ordinance #1501.