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Community Development
The City of Arcata's Community Development department manages the following areas that focus on sustainable growth and enhancing the City's character, availability of all types of housing, and support and growth of the City's economy.
The Planning Division manages several vital City functions. Long range planning, which includes areas such as Land Use Code, Zoning, and elements of the City's General Plan, reflect the City Council's vision and provide the foundation for growth and character of the City. Shorter range plans include study and preparation for issues such as Sea Level Rise. Planning is also responsible for the implementation of the Land Use Code in permitting, design review, historic properties, and annexations.
Planner Counter Hours
Monday - Thursday
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The City's Planners are available for assistance during these counter hours. Limited counter hours make it possible for the City's Planners to serve all customers better by allowing them to focus on projects which result in shorter review times.
Please visit our Planning Division page for information on Planning Permits, Historic Preservation, Regulations, and Major Development Projects that are managed by the Planning Division and are currently in various permitting, planning, or environmental review phases.
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
City of Arcata Housing Survey
The City of Arcata is working on three important Community Development Plans and is seeking input. A short housing survey has been created so community members can share their feedback with the Arcata City Council.
Arcata residents, those who would like to live in Arcata, and those who are considering living in Arcata are asked to share their experiences regarding housing and economic development opportunities by taking this short survey.
The Housing Survey is available now through September 30, 2019.
To take the survey in English, please click here.
Para realizar la encuesta en español, haga clic aquí.
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.
Cannabis retail sales and service regulations went into effect on July 6, 2018 through Ordinance #1501. The City is accepting applications for cannabis retail sales and services in the zoning areas shown below.