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Title III›Division 1 — PLANNING

Chapter 3

Humboldt County Zoning Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-07-09 · Humboldt County

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section A:
Regulations for the Zoning Districts
Part 1: Principal Zones
313-1 Lists of Zone Mapping Designations and Lists of Permitted Use Types
313-1.1 Zone Mapping Designations
313-1.2 Lists of Permitted Use Types
313-2 Commercial Zone Regulations
313-2.1 CN: Neighborhood Commercial
313-2.2 CG: Commercial General
313-3 Industrial Use Regulations
313-3.1 MB: Business Park
313-3.2 ML: Light Industrial
313-3.3 MG: Industrial General
313-3.4 MC: Industrial/Coastal-Dependent
313-4 Public Use Zones
313-4.1 PF1: Public Facility (Urban)
313-4.2 PF2: Public Facility (Rural)
313-5 Recreation and Conservation Zones
313-5.1 PR: Public Recreation
313-5.2 CR: Commercial Recreation
313-5.3 CRD: Coastal-Dependent Commercial Recreation
313-5.4 NR: Natural Resources
313-6 Residential Zone Districts
313-6.1 RS: Residential Single Family
313-6.2 RM: Residential Multi-Family
313-6.3 R2: Mixed Residential
313-6.4 RA: Rural Residential Agriculture
313-7 Resource Use Regulations
313-7.1 AE: Agriculture Exclusive
313-7.2 TC: Commercial Timber
313-7.3 TPZ: Timber Production Zone
313-8 through 313-14
(Sections Reserved for Future Use)
Part 2: Special Area Combining Zones

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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313-15 Special Area Combining Zones: Purpose, Where They Apply, and List of Zone
Designations
313-15.1 Purpose
313-15.2 Applicability
313-15.3 Special Area Combining Zones and Respective Designations
313-15.4 Representation of the Special Area Combining Zones Regulations
313-16 “A” Combining Zone Designations
313-16.1 A: Archaeological Resource Area Outside Shelter Cove
313-16.2 A: Special Archaeological Resource Area Regulations for Shelter Cove
313-16.3 AP: Airport Safety Review
313-17 “B” Combining Zone Designations
313-17.1 B: Beach and Dune Areas
313-18 “C” Combining Zone Designations
313-18.1 C: Coastal Resource Dependent
313-19 “D” Combining Zone Designations
313-19.1 D: Design Review
313-20 “E” Combining Zone Designations
313-20.1 E: Coastal Elk Habitat
313-21 “F” Combining Zone Designations
313-21.1 F: Flood Hazard Areas
313-22 “G” Combining Zone Designations
313-22.1 G: Alquist-Priolo Fault Hazard
313-23 through 313-26
(Sections Reserved for Future Use)
313-27 “L” Combining Zone Designations
313-27.1 L: Landscaping and Design
313-28 “M” Combining Zone Designations
313-28.1 M: Manufactured Homes
313-29 “N” Combining Zone Designations
313-29.1 N: Noise Impact
313-30 “O” Combining Zone Designations
313-30.1 O: Ofshore Rocks and Rocky Intertidal Areas
313-31 “P” Combining Zone Designations
313-31.1 P: Planned Unit Development
313-32 “Q” Combining Zone Designations
313-32.1 Q: Qualifed
313-33 “R” Combining Zone Designations
313-33.1 R: Streams and Riparian Corridors Protection
313-34 “S” Combining Zone Designations

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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313-34.1 S: Development Standard Combining Zone Regulations
313-34.2 SM: Modifed Building Standards Including Provision for Manufactured
Homes
313-34.3 SX: Development Standards Which Are Combined With a Prohibition against
Further Subdivision
313-34.4 SY: Development Standards Where Standards in Addition to Minimum Lot
Size Are Modifed
313-34.5 STMP: Samoa Town Plan Standards
313-35 “T” Combining Zone Designations
313-35.1 T: Transitional Agricultural Lands
313-36 & 313-37
(Sections Reserved for Future Use)
313-38 “W” Combining Zone Designations
313-38.1 W: Coastal Wetland Areas
313-39 “X” Combining Zone Designations
313-39.1 X: No Further Subdivision Allowed
313-40 “Y” Combining Zone Designations
313-40.1 Y: Specifed Minimum and Average Lot Sizes
313-41
(Section Reserved for Future Use)
Section B:
Regulations That Apply in All or Several Zones
Part 1:
Uses and Activities
313-42 General Provisions
313-43-68 Alphabetical Listing of Uses and Activities
313-43.1 Accessory Uses
313-43.2 Allowed Agricultural Activities Not a Nuisance (“Right to Farm Ordinance”)
313-43.3 Animal Keeping
313-44 [Repealed by Ord. 2733, § 8, 3/5/2024]
313-45.1 Coastal-Dependent Industrial Development
313-45.2 Cottage Industry
313-46.1 Dredge Spoils Disposal
313-47 through 313-49
(Sections Reserved for Future Use)
313-50.1 Home Occupation and Addresses of Convenience
313-51 through 313-54
(Sections Reserved for Future Use)
313-55 Cannabis Land Uses: Coastal
313-55.1 Indoor Cultivation of Cannabis for Personal Use
313-55.2 Outdoor Cultivation of Cannabis for Personal Use
313-55.3 Medical Cannabis Dispensaries
313-55.4

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Commercial Cultivation, Processing, Manufacturing, Distribution, Testing, and Sale of Cannabis Land Use Regulation for the Coastal Zone in the County of Humboldt

Cannabis Land Use Regulation for the Coastal Zone in the County of Humboldt Land Use Regulation for the Coastal Zone in the County of Humboldt
313-55.5 Industrial Hemp Land Use Regulations
313-57.1 Oil and Gas Drilling and Processing
313-58 through 313-60
 (Sections Reserved for Future Use)
313-61.05
Short-Term Rentals
313-61.1 Solid Waste Disposal
313-61.2 Surface Mining and Reclamation
313-62.1 Temporary Uses
313-63
(Section Reserved for Future Use)
313-64.1 Vegetation Removal, Major
313-65 through 313-68
 (Sections Reserved for Future Use)
Part 2:
Structures and Facilities
313-69-94 Alphabetical Listing of Structures and Facilities
313-69.05
Accessory Dwelling Unit
313-69.1 Accessory Structures
313-70
(Section Reserved for Future Use)
313-71.1 County Historic Structures
313-72
(Section Reserved for Future Use)
313-73.1 Electrical Transmission Lines, Major
313-74.1 Fences
313-75 through 313-82
 (Sections Reserved for Future Use)
313-83.1 Oil and Gas Pipelines
313-84 through 313-86
 (Sections Reserved for Future Use)
313-87.1 Repealed by Ord. 2717
313-87.2 Shoreline Protection Structures
313-87.3 Signs and Nameplates
313-88.1 Temporary Structures
313-89 through 313-90
 (Sections Reserved for Future Use)
313-91.1 Wind-Generating Facility
313-92 through 313-94
 (Sections Reserved for Future Use)
Part 3:
Development Standards
313-95.1 Access Dedication Requirements for New Developments
313-95.2 Access Dedication Requirements for New Developments in Shelter Cove
313-95.3 Access Protection
313-96 through 313-98
 (Sections Reserved for Future Use)
313-99.1 Exceptions to the Development Standards
313-100 through 313-102 (Sections Reserved for Future Use)
313-103.1
Industrial Performance Standards

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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  - **313-104.1 Interim Uses in the Industrial/Coastal-Dependent Zone Performance Standards** 

  - _**313-105 (Section Reserved for Future Use)**_ 

  - **313-106.1 Agriculture Exclusive Sixty Acre Minimum (AE-60) Land Division** 

  - **313-106.2 Agriculture Exclusive One Hundred Sixty Acre Minimum (AE-160) Land Division** 

  - **313-106.3 Agriculture Exclusive Six (6) Hundred Acre Minimum (AE-600) Land Division 313-106.4 Coastal Recreational (CR) Land Division 313-106.5 Rural Residential Agriculture (RA) Land Division 313-106.6 Commercial Timber (TC) and Timber Production Zone (TPZ) Land Division 313-107.1 Manufactured Home Park Development 313-107.2 Merger of Substandard Lots** _**313-108 (Section Reserved for Future Use)**_

06.3 Agriculture Exclusive Six (6) Hundred Acre Minimum (AE-600) Land Division 313-106.4 Coastal Recreational (CR) Land Division 313-106.5 Rural Residential Agriculture (RA) Land Division 313-106.6 Commercial Timber (TC) and Timber Production Zone (TPZ) Land Division 313-107.1 Manufactured Home Park Development 313-107.2 Merger of Substandard Lots** 313-108 (Section Reserved for Future Use) 

  - **313-109.1 Off-Street Parking 313-110.1 Parkland Dedication 313-111.1 Residential Density Bonus 313-111.1 Residential Density Bonus 313-112.1 Road Construction 313-113.1 Special Occupancy Parks** _**313-114 through 313-120 (Sections Reserved for Future Use)**_

  • Part 4: Regulations That Apply in Sensitive Habitats and Hazardous Areas

    • 313-121 Geologic Hazards Regulations

      • 313-121.1 Purpose

      • 313-121.2 Applicability

      • 313-121.3 Modifications Imposed by Geologic Hazards Regulations

    • 313-121.4 Natural Hazards/Land Use Rating Matrix 313-121.5 Reports Required 313-121.6 Contents of Reports 313-121.7 Development Standards

    • 313-122 Natural Drainage Courses 313-122.1 Purpose 313-122.2 Applicability 313-122.3 Required Mitigation 313-122.4 Required Findings

    • 313-123 Natural Landforms Protection 313-123.1 Purpose 313-123.2 Applicability 313-123.3

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Modifications Imposed by Coastal Natural Landforms Protection Regulations

  • 313-123.4 Required Mitigation

  • 313-123.5 Required Findings

  • 313-124 Water Withdrawals from Anadromous Fish Streams

    • 313-124.1 Purpose

    • 313-124.2 Application

    • 313-124.3 Limitation of Development Dependent Upon Water Withdrawals

    • 313-124.4 Required Findings 313-124.5 Required Mitigation

  • 313-125 Wetland Buffer Areas 313-125.1 Purpose 313-125.2 Application of the Coastal Wetland Buffer Area Regulations

    • 313-125.3 Modifications Imposed by the Coastal Wetland Buffer Area Regulations

    • 313-125.4 Consultation with Department of Fish and Game

    • 313-125.5 Definitions

    • 313-125.6 Development Permitted Within Coastal Wetland Buffer Areas 313-125.7 Development Permitted Within Coastal Wetland Buffer Areas with Supplemental Setback

    • 313-125.8 Required Findings 313-125.9 Required Mitigation

313-126 through 313-130 (Sections Reserved for Future Use)

  • Part 5: Nonconforming Uses and Structures 313-131 Nonconforming Uses 

    - **313-131.1 Purpose** 

- **313-131.2 Applicability** 

- **313-131.3 Right to Continue as a Nonconforming Use** 

- **313-131.4 Rights Pertaining to the Use Itself** 

- **313-131.5 Special Permit Required for the Substitution of Nonconforming Uses 313-131.6 Termination of Nonconforming Use 313-131.7 Non-Application to Use Initiated or Constructed in Violation of Law**

  • 313-132 Nonconforming Structures 313-132.1 Purpose 313-132.2 Applicability 313-132.3 Right to Continue to Use a Nonconforming Structure 313-132.4 Rights Pertaining to the Structure Itself 313-132.5 Expansion, Reconstruction, Structural Alteration or Replacement of Nonconforming Structures and Manufactured Homes

    • 313-132.6 Special Provisions Concerning Nonconforming Manufactured Homes

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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313-132.7
Non-Application to Structure Constructed in Violation of Law
313-133 through 313-134 (Sections Reserved for Future Use)
Section C: Index of Defnitions of Language and Legal Terms
313-135 General Rules for Construction of Language
313-136 Defnitions (A)
313-137 Defnitions (B)
313-138 Defnitions (C)
313-139 Defnitions (D)
313-140 Defnitions (E)
313-141 Defnitions (F)
313-142 Defnitions (G)
313-143 Defnitions (H)
313-144 Defnitions (I)
313-145 Defnitions (J)
313-146 Defnitions (K)
313-147 Defnitions (L)
313-148 Defnitions (M)
313-149 Defnitions (N)
313-150 Defnitions (O)
313-151 Defnitions (P)
313-152 Defnitions (Q)
313-153 Defnitions (R)
313-154 Defnitions (S)
313-155 Defnitions (T)
313-156 Defnitions (U)
313-157 Defnitions (V)
313-158 Defnitions (W)
313-159 Defnitions (X)
313-160 Defnitions (Y)
313-161 Defnitions (Z)
Section D: Use Types
Part 1: Classifcation of Use Types
313-162 Purpose of Use Type and Principal Permitted Use Classifcations
313-163 Listing of Use Type and Principal Permitted Use Classifcations
313-164 How to Determine and Classify Allowed Uses When More than One Use Type
Might Apply
313-164.1
Separate Classifcations of Several Establishments
313-164.2

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Classification and Limitation of Different Uses Within Same Category of Use Types Conducted by Individual Establishment

Conducted by Individual Establishment
313-165
Classifying Uses Not Specifcally Mentioned in Use Type Descriptions
313-166 through 313-169
(Sections Reserved for Future Use)
Part 2:
Glossary of Use Types
313-170
Agricultural Use Types
313-170.1 Agriculture-Related Recreational
313-170.2 Feed Lot/Slaughter House
313-170.3 General Agriculture
313-170.4 Hog Farming
313-170.5 Intensive Agriculture
313-170.6 Stables and Kennels
313-171
Civic Use Types
313-171.1 Administrative
313-171.2 Community Assembly
313-171.3 Cultural, Non-Assembly
313-171.4 Electrical Distribution Lines, Major
313-171.5 Essential Services
313-171.6 Extensive Impact Civic Use
313-171.7 Generation and Distribution Facilities, Minor
313-171.8 Health Care Services
313-171.9 Oil and Gas Pipelines
313-171.10 Public Recreation and Open Space
313-171.11 Solid Waste Disposal
313-171.12 Utilities, Minor
313-172
Commercial Use Types
313-172.1 Automotive Sales, Service and Repair
313-172.2 Repealed by Ord. 2733, § 5, 3/5/2024.
313-172.3 Coastal-Dependent Commercial Recreation
313-172.4 Commercial Recreation
313-172.5 Heavy Commercial
313-172.6 Incidental Camping Area
313-172.7 Neighborhood Commercial
313-172.8 Ofce and Professional Services
313-172.9 Private Institution
313-172.10 Private Recreation
313-172.11 Recreational Vehicle Parks
313-172.12 Retail Sales

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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  • 313-172.13 Retail Service

  • 313-172.15 Temporary Recreational Vehicle Park 313-172.16 Tent Camp 313-172.17 Transient Habitation 313-172.18 Visitor Serving Facilities 313-172.19 Warehousing, Storage and Distribution

  • 313-173 Commercial Timber Use Types 313-173.1 Timber Production 313-173.2 Timber-Related Recreation

  • 313-174 Extractive Use Types 313-174.1 Metallic Mineral Extraction 313-174.2 Oil and Gas Drilling and Processing 313-174.3 Surface Mining - 1 313-174.4 Surface Mining - 2 313-174.5 Surface Mining - 3

  • 313-175 Industrial Use Types 313-175.1 Aquaculture 313-175.2 Coastal-Dependent 313-175.3 Coastal-Related 313-175.4 Cottage Industry 313-175.5 Hazardous Industrial 313-175.6 Heavy Industrial 313-175.7 Research/Light Industrial 313-175.8 Timber Products Processing

  • 313-176 Natural Resource Use Types 313-176.1 Boating Facilities 313-176.2 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management 313-176.3 Coastal Public Access Facilities 313-176.4 Resource-Related Recreational 313-176.5 Watershed Management 313-176.6 Wetland Restoration

  • 313-177 Residential Use Types 313-177.05 Accessory Dwelling Unit 313-177.1 Caretaker’s Residence 313-177.2 Community Care Facility 313-177.3 Family Day Care Center 313-177.4 Family Day Care Home 313-177.5 Farm Employee Housing

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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313-177.6 Group Residential 313-177.7 Guest House 313-177.8 Labor Camp 313-177.9 Manufactured Home Park Development 313-177.10 Multi Family Residential 313-177.11 Residence Incidental to Agriculture or Commercial Timber Production 313-177.12 Second Agriculture or Commercial Timber Production Residence 313-177.13 Single-Family Residential

Organization. Chapter 3 contains the regulations which apply exclusively within the California Coastal Zone in Humboldt County and is organized as follows:

Section A: Regulations For the Zoning Districts

Section B: Regulations That Apply In All or Several Zones

Section C: Index of Definitions of Language and Legal Terms

Section D: Permitted Use Types

Coastal Development Permits. As specified in Chapter 2 of these regulations, “A Coastal Development Permit must be secured, pursuant to the requirements of these regulations, prior to the commencement of any development within the Coastal Zone of the County, not exempted or excluded under the California Public Resources Code (Section 30000, and following).”

A

SECTION A: REGULATIONS FOR THE ZONING DISTRICTS

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▸ Contents — Humboldt County Zoning Code
Humboldt County Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Title III
    Overview
    1. ▸ Division 1 — PLANNING
      Overview
      1. Chapter 2 — ADMINISTRATION, PROCEDURES, AMENDMENTS AND ENFORCE…
      2. Chapter 1
      3. Chapter 2
      4. Chapter 3
      5. Part 1 — PRINCIPAL ZONES
      6. Part 2 — SPECIAL AREA COMBINING ZONES
      7. Part 1 — USES AND ACTIVITIES
      8. Part 2 — STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES
      9. Part 3 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      10. Part 4 — REGULATIONS THAT APPLY IN SENSITIVE HABITATS AND HAZA…
      11. Part 5 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
      12. Part 1 — CLASSIFICATION OF USE TYPES
      13. Part 2 — GLOSSARY OF USE TYPES
      14. Part 1 — PRINCIPAL ZONES
      15. Part 2 — REGULATIONS FOR THE COMBINING ZONES
      16. Part 1 — USES AND ACTIVITIES
      17. Part 2 — STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES
      18. Part 3 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      19. Part 4 — (SECTION RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE)
      20. Part 5 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
      21. Part 1 — CLASSIFICATION OF USE TYPES
      22. Part 2 — GLOSSARY OF USE TYPES
  2. Title III — LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT

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