Ministerial Permits

"Streamline this process, especially for single family homes."

In October 2005, the Board approved a new Zoning Clearance process. A Land Use Permit (LUP) is required for most projects, including those that have recently gone through the discretionary review process as part of a larger subdivision or development.  After the larger discretionary approval has been secured, the individual lots (in the case of a subdivision) require separate LUPs which are also subject to noticing and appeal.  A Zoning Clearance does not require public noticing or the opportunity for appeal because these are small projects that have been found to be consistent with the Zoning Ordinance and any relevant discretionary approvals. The new Zoning Clearance process has been applied to two types of projects to date: New homes in approved tracts - New homes proposed in recently approved subdivisions (of five units or more) are the first application of the new Zoning Clearance process.  Where a new home is proposed on a vacant lot in a tract approved since January 1, 1990, a Zoning Clearance would be issued if all relevant conditions of approval on the tract and zoning ordinance requirements are met.  Noticing is not required and there would not be an opportunity to file an appeal.  This change is expected to immediately benefit 1,300 new homes and many more in the future. This change applies only to the Inland area at this time. New Orcutt Pilot Program - On January 24, 2006 the Board approved the new Orcutt Pilot Program that goes into effect on March 24th.  The pilot program will apply the new streamlined Zoning Clearance process to projects that meet ten standards outlined in the Orcutt Community Plan adopted in 1997.  This will streamline the implementation of that plan and, if successful, will be considered for other communities with adopted community plans.

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