Commissions

The City Council appoints more than 90 community members to serve on City committees, commissions, boards and task forces.

The Planning Commission is the City of Arcata's only operating commission. 

This commission serves as a decision-making authority and provides recommendations to the the City Council. The City Council schedules study sessions with the Planning Commission every year, when needed, or upon the request of the Commission Chair. 

 Planning Commissioners are community volunteers who:

  • Serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council on all matters pertaining to planning and the physical development of the City and surrounding areas.
  • Provide recommendations regarding preparation, adoption, amendments, administration, and implementation of the City's General Plan and the Arcata Land Use Code.
  • Make decisions with respect to Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, and other environmental documents.

Planning Commissioners serve for 4 years, and the City Council may remove commission members by a majority vote. In addition, Section 2204(C) of the Arcata Municipal Code requires automatic removal of a commissioner upon notification to the Council of 4 absences from regular meetings within a calendar year.

For more information about Planning Commission members, meetings, agendas and archives, click here.

To inquire about or apply for a vacancy on the Planning Commission, please click here.

For more information on upcoming 2021 vacancies on the Planning Commission and other City committees, boards and task forces, please review the document below:

Plaza Drone 2021