Grading Ordinance & By-Right Housing Program

Project Overview

The County is moving forward with plans to make it easier to build housing in unincorporated area communities where people have access to jobs and services, and to simplify rules for local agriculture. This effort will include updates to County ordinances, such as the Grading, Clearing and Watercourses Ordinance (Grading Ordinance) and the Resource Protection Ordinance.

This project focuses on two main goals:

Make it simpler and faster to get permits for housing in the places with minimal impacts, such as infill areas or already-developed areas.

Support farmers by simplifying the permitting process for agricultural activities.

While no specific development is proposed at this time, the County will prepare a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) to study the potential environmental effects of the proposed ordinance updates.

Why This Project Matters

This project responds to direction from the County Board of Supervisors (Board) to streamline housing in areas where people do not have to drive as much because homes are closer to jobs, schools, and services, and to update the Grading Ordinance to make permitting for housing and agriculture simpler and more efficient. Two separate Board initiatives have been combined into one effort to align related goals and improve efficiency.

The Board has directed several updates to the Grading, Clearing, and Watercourses Ordinance. While some updates to the Grading Ordinance have been completed, the current project advances a broader update to simplify permitting for agriculture and housing. The project also incorporates the Board’s May 2023 direction to prepare a Program Environmental Impact Report to evaluate housing streamlining opportunities.

In addition, updates to the Resource Protection Ordinance (RPO) will be considered to align State and local streamlining efforts while ensuring strong environmental protections remain in place.

Community Engagement

We want to hear from you!

We are committed to working closely with you to understand your perspectives and recommendations. Your feedback will guide us in making rules that are clear, fair and effective.

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