Title III — Land Use and Development›Part 2 — CHAPTER 4›Chapter 2 — TABLE OF CONTENTS
Humboldt County Municipal Code § 312-2 Zoning Clearance Certificate Procedures
Humboldt County Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-22 · Humboldt County
Cite as: Humboldt County Municipal Code § 312-2 · Text as of 2026-10-22
2.1 PURPOSE¶
A zoning clearance certificate certifies that a proposed development conforms with all current requirements of the Zoning regulations and, if applicable, the terms and conditions of any previously approved development permit or variance. (Former Section INL#316-22; CZ#A315-2(A); Added by Ord. 1280, Sec. 3, 10/10/78)
2.2 REQUIRED ZONING CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE¶
A Zoning Clearance Certificate is required whenever a building permit is required, and must be secured prior to the issuance of the building permit. (Former Section INL#316-22; CZ#A315-2(B); Added by Ord. 1280, Sec. 3, 10/10/ 78)
2.3 FILING AND PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR A ZONING CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE¶
2.3.1 Applications. Any individual may apply for a zoning clearance certificate in…¶
application for a building permit for a proposed development. (Former Section CZ#A315-2(C)(1); Ord. 1705, 9/10/ 85)
2.3.2 Application Form. The Planning and Building Department shall provide standard…¶
applications for zoning clearance certificates can be filed. (Former Section CZ#A315-2(C)(2); Ord. 1705, 9/10/85; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)
2.3.3 Filing Applications. Applications for a zoning clearance certificate shall be…¶
of the Planning and Building Department on the forms provided. At the time the application is filed, the applicant shall submit the required filing fees prescribed by the Board of Supervisors. All other plans, specifications and information that may be required by the Department to demonstrate compliance with the zoning regulations shall be filed with the application. (Former Section CZ#A315-2(C)(3); Ord. 1705, 9/10/85; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)
2.3.4 Processing Applications. Within five (5) working days of accepting an…¶
shall review the proposed development for conformance with the Humboldt County General Plan, in particular the Open Space Plan and Open Space Action Program, and the Humboldt County Zoning Regulations; and, if applicable, the terms and conditions of any previously approved development permit, variance, or subdivision. (Former Section CZ#A315-2(C)(4); Ord. 1705, 9/10/85; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)
2.4 ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE¶
2.4.1 Upon completion of the required Planning Division review (subsection 312-2.6),…¶
shall be approved and immediately issued by the Director, or designee, if, based upon information provided by the applicant, all of the following findings are made: (Former Section CZ#A315-2(C)(5); Ord. 1705, 9/10/85)
2.4.1.1 The proposed development is in conformance with the Humboldt County General…¶
Plan, and the Open Space Action Program (CO-IM5. Zoning Ordinance Revision for Open Space Consistency Determinations); and
2.4.1.2 The proposed development conforms with all requirements of the Humboldt County…¶
Regulations; and (Former Section CZ#A315-2(C)(5)(a); Ord. 1705, 9/10/85)
2.4.1.3 The proposed development complies with the terms and conditions of any…¶
subdivision map that was previously approved for such development; and (Former Section CZ#A315-2(C)(5)(b); Ord. 1705, 9/10/85)
2.4.1.4 The proposed development is not located on the same lot where conditions exist…¶
being conducted which are a part of the proposed development and in violation of the Humboldt County Code, unless the zoning clearance (1) is necessary for the abatement of the existing violation(s); or (2) addresses an imminent health and/or safety violation; or (3) facilitates an accessibility improvement to a structure or site for ADA compliance consistent with Section 312-42; or (4) the applicant has executed and recorded an enforcement agreement with the County to cure the violation(s) on a form approved by the Risk Manager and County Counsel. (Former Section CZ#A315-2(C)(5)(c); Ord. 1705, 9/10/85; Ord. 2407, § 1, 12/16/ 2008)
2.4.2 A public hearing shall not be required to be held prior to the Director’s…¶
application for a zoning clearance certificate. (Former Section CZ#A315-2(C); Ord. 1705, 9/10/85)
2.4.3 Written notification of the Director’s decision shall be transmitted to the…¶
working days of the decision. (Former Section CZ#A315-2(C); Ord. 1705, 9/10/85; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)
2.4.4 Decisions on zoning clearance certificate applications are not appealable.…¶
2.5 EXPIRATION OF ZONING CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES¶
A Zoning Clearance certificate shall expire at the end of the 180th calendar day after issuance, unless otherwise indicated on the clearance, or when the proposed development no longer conforms with the County Zoning Regulations. However, if the proposed development has commenced, as authorized by any required County permits, the certificate shall not expire as long as the required building permit does not expire, as specified in the Uniform Building Code (currently Section 106.4.4). (Former Section CZ#A315-2(D); Ord. 1705, 9/10/85; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00) (Ord. 2629, § 2, 6/11/2019)
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