Part 2 — SPECIAL AREA COMBINING ZONES

313-15 Special Area Combining Zones: Purpose, Where They Apply, and List of Zone Designations

A Combining Zone is an additional zoning designation applied to some (but not all) properties. A Combining Zone modifies the allowed land use in some way when necessary for sound and orderly planning. The following regulations for each of the Combining Zones shall modify the regulations for the Principal Zones with which they are combined. All uses and development regulations for the Principal Zone shall apply in the Combining Zone except insofar as they are modified or augmented by the uses and regulations set forth in the Combining Zone regulations. (Former Section CZ#A313-40)

17.1.1 Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that any development permitted in coastal beach and dune areas, as designated in the Coastal Land Use Plan Resource Protection Maps, will not detract from the area’s natural resource value or their potential for providing recreational opportunity. (Former Section CZ#A314-58(A))

17.1.2 Applicability. These regulations shall apply to lands containing beaches or dunes, which are designated “B” on the Zoning Maps. (Former Section CZ#A314-58(B))

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

Page 150 of 1183

Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

17.1.3 Modifications Imposed by the Dune and Beach Areas Regulations. These regulations shall be in addition to regulations imposed by the principal zone, development regulations, and other Special Area Combining Zone regulations. Wherever the provisions of these regulations conflict with or are inconsistent in application with any other regulation, the regulation most protective of beach and dune resources shall apply. (Former Section CZ#A314-58(C))

17.1.4 Consultation with Department of Fish and Game. The County shall request the California Department of Fish and Game to review development plans proposed within beaches and dunes areas. The Agency shall be requested to respond within ten (10) days of the referral, and shall be notified that a failure to respond will result in an assumption by the County that the Agency has no concerns or comments. (Former Section CZ#A314-58(D))

17.1.5 Restrictions on Permitted Development. Except as otherwise provided in this section, new development within designated Beach and Dune Areas that is also designated “Natural Resources (NR)” in the applicable Land Use Plan shall be restricted to the following: (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E))

17.1.5.1 Nature study; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(1))

17.1.5.2 Fish and wildlife habitat management; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(2))

17.1.5.3 Hunting, fishing and development of minor facilities such as hunting or viewing blinds; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(3))

17.1.5.4 Access facilities; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(4))

17.1.5.5 Sand removal from unvegetated dunes for safety purposes or to protect existing development and agricultural lands; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(5))

17.1.5.6 Dredge spoils disposal; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(6))

17.1.5.7 The siting of the following facilities when there is no less environmentally damaging alternative, and environmental damage is minimized; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(7))

17.1.5.7.1 Electric distribution and water lines, and other utility lines; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(7)(a))

17.1.5.7.2 Underground utilities; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(7)(b))

17.1.5.7.3 Oil and gas pipelines; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(7)(c))

17.1.5.7.4 Pipeline construction for surf zone disposal of dredge spoils; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(7)(d))

17.1.5.7.5 Ocean outfall and intake pipelines; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(7)(e))

17.1.5.7.6 Public roadway projects consistent with the Coastal Land Use Plans. (Former Section CZ#A314-58(E)(7)(f))

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

Page 151 of 1183

Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

17.1.6 Exceptions to Permitted Development Provisions. Notwithstanding the general provisions of this section, the following development is permitted in the specified geographic locations: (Former Section CZ#A314-58(F))

17.1.6.1 Humboldt Bay Area Plan: Caretaker’s Residence - to be occupied by either the property owner or caretaker. (Former Section CZ#A314-58(F)(1))

17.1.6.2 Parking Facilities for Coastal-Dependent Industrial Development: on the West side of New Navy Base Road, when located between the north end of the Eureka airstrip and Samoa and when public parking for access to the beach is also provided. (Former Section CZ#A314-58(F)(2))

17.1.7 Required Findings. Coastal Development Permits for Beach and Dune Areas shall be approved only if the applicable Resource Protection Impact Findings in Chapter 2 are made. (Former Section CZ#A314-58(G))

17.1.8 Required Mitigation. The following mitigation shall be required for all new developments within beach and dune areas: (Former Section CZ#A314-58(G))

17.1.8.1 Minimize disturbance of vegetated dunes; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(G)(1))

17.1.8.2 Replant vegetation in disturbed habitat areas; (Former Section CZ#A314-58(G)(2))

17.1.8.3 Provide measures to control wind blown sand; and (Former Section CZ#A314-58(G)(3))

17.1.8.4 If Menzie’s wallflowers are adversely impacted, the mitigation shall include protection, and if appropriate, restoration of Menzie’s wallflower habitat off of the project site. (Former Section CZ#A314-58(G)(4))

313-18 “C” Combining Zone Designations

27.1.1 Purpose. The Landscaping and Design Combining Zone Regulations are intended to be combined with principal zones to establish specific landscaping and architectural design standards. (Former Section CZ#A313-43(L))

27.1.2 Applicability. The Board of Supervisors, in approving a zone reclassification as allowed by Chapter 2 of this division, may combine the Landscaping and Design Combining Zone Regulations with any principal zone. In combining the Landscaping and Design Combining Zone, the Board of Supervisors shall establish specific landscaping and design standards for development within the designated zoning district. (Former Section CZ#A313-43(B)))

rs, in approving a zone reclassification as allowed by Chapter 2 of this division, may combine the Landscaping and Design Combining Zone Regulations with any principal zone. In combining the Landscaping and Design Combining Zone, the Board of Supervisors shall establish specific landscaping and design standards for development within the designated zoning district. (Former Section CZ#A313-43(B)))

27.1.3 Map Designation. When combined with a principal zone, the Landscaping and Design Combining Zone Regulations shall be represented on the adopted zoning maps by the L designator. The L designator shall immediately follow the principal zone designator and: the maximum density designator, if applied; the S designator, if applied; or the Q designator, if applied. For example: RS-L, RM-15-L, RM-15-Q-L. (Former Section CZ#A313-43(C)))

313-28 “M” Combining Zone Designations