CALIFORNIA LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAMS
In 1976, the California Legislature enacted the landmarkĀ California Coastal Act, creating a comprehensive mandate for coastal counties and cities to manage the conservation and development of their unique coastal resources. A central component of this management framework is theĀ Local Coastal Program (LCP), which ensures that local land use decisions are consistent with the policies of the statewide Coastal Act.
An experienced attorney can help guide clients through land use law, including the California Coastal Act, Local Coastal Programs, and interaction with the California Coastal Commission.
What is a Local Coastal Program?
A Local Coastal Program is a set of planning documents that provides a framework for development and resource protection within a California local government’s specific “coastal zone” area. The coastal zone generally extends about 1,000 yards inland from the mean high tide line but varies in specific locations depending on land uses and habitat values.
Each Local Coastal Program typically consists of two main parts:
Land Use Plan (LUP): A long range, policy oriented document that guides resource protection and future development in the coastal zone.
Implementation Plan (IP): This part contains the specific measures to carry out the Land Use Plan’s policies, such as zoning ordinances, zoning maps, and other actions.
Key Goals and Policies
The primary goal of the Local Coastal Program is to balance development and conservation. It addresses critical issues such as public access and recreation, protection of ocean resources, and appropriate land use and development intensity. The broader goals of the California Coastal Act, which LCPs are designed to implement, include:
- Protecting, maintaining, and enhancing the overall quality of the coastal zone environment.
- Ensuring orderly, balanced use and conservation of resources.
- Maximizing public access to and along the coast, consistent with private property rights.
Recent updates to Local Coastal Program guidance also emphasize integrating environmental justice considerations and planning for the impacts of sea level rise.
The Certification and Implementation Process
Local governments (the cities and counties along the California coast) are responsible for preparing their Local Coastal Programs. The LCP is then submitted to the California Coastal Commission for review and certification to ensure it aligns with the Coastal Act’s requirements.
Once a Local Coastal Program is certified, the authority for issuing most Coastal Development Permits (CDPs) is delegated to the local government, which then applies its own certified LCP standards. The California Coastal Commission retains some continuing permit and appeal jurisdiction, and also must certify any future amendments to the LCP.
Certified Local Coastal Programs are dynamic documents that require updates to remain effective in the face of changing conditions and new scientific information. The update process involves local community input and final approval from both the local government and the California Coastal Commission.
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