Forms, glossary & FAQs

An "over-the-counter" permit granted when a project meets a specific set of standards in the Zoning Ordinance. No judgment or public hearing is required.

A permit (or modification) that requires the County to exercise judgment and deliberation, and usually a public hearing, before a decision. Conditional Use Permits, Variances, and subdivisions are common examples.

A ten-digit number assigned by the County Tax Assessor to identify a property for tax purposes. Departments use it to research your site. It is not the same as a legal lot.

The State law requiring public agencies to evaluate and disclose the environmental effects of discretionary projects, and to avoid or reduce significant impacts where feasible.

An assessment prepared by the Case Planner to determine whether a project may have potentially significant environmental impacts, and therefore which environmental document is required.

Negative Declaration (ND): the project will not significantly affect the environment. Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND): potential impacts can be reduced through agreed mitigation measures. Environmental Impact Report (EIR): a full report prepared when significant impacts cannot be clearly avoided.

A discretionary permit allowing a specific use on a property subject to conditions, where that use is permitted only with County review and approval.

Key County staff from multiple departments who review complex discretionary projects before submittal and provide early guidance. Recommended for complex projects (flat fee).

A committee of agricultural-community members that, with the Agricultural Commissioner's Office, provides pre-submittal review for projects on or adjacent to agricultural land.

The County's long-range policy documents for growth and land use. Area Plans add region-specific policies. All projects must adhere to the General Plan.

The regulations governing allowed uses and development standards by zone. The Coastal or Non-Coastal ordinance applies depending on your site's location.

A legal lot is a parcel created in compliance with the Subdivision Map Act. The County Surveyor issues Certificates of Compliance; permits cannot be issued on illegally created lots.

Requirements attached to an approved permit. A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) tracks CEQA mitigation measures over the life of the permit.

A notice that a permit condition has been violated. Recipients generally have 90 days to abate before civil administrative penalties (up to $1,000 per violation per day) apply.

A ministerial permit is granted when a project meets specific standards (an over-the-counter approval). A discretionary permit requires County judgment and usually a public hearing. Use the Permit Helper to see which applies to you.

An Assessor's Parcel Number is a ten-digit identifier from the County Tax Assessor. Departments use it to research zoning and constraints on your site. Find it on your property tax bill or the property tax portal.

Costs vary by entitlement type and complexity. Most departments charge an hourly rate based on staff time, plus fixed fees for some permits and plan reviews. See each department page for its fee schedule.

Delays usually come from incomplete submittals or project-description changes. Each resubmittal adds staff review time, and State environmental review plus mandatory public-notice periods must be satisfied before a hearing.

Contact Permit Administration at (805) 654-2488 with your name and phone, the site's APN, and a basic project description. This is Phase 3.