Title III — Land Use and Development›Part 2 — SPECIAL AREA COMBINING ZONES
Humboldt County Municipal Code § 313-16 “A” Combining Zone Designations
Humboldt County Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-22 · Humboldt County
Cite as: Humboldt County Municipal Code § 313-16 · Text as of 2026-10-22
16.1 A: ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE AREA OUTSIDE SHELTER COVE¶
16.1.1 Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to provide for reasonable…¶
development would have an adverse impact upon archaeological and paleontological resources. (Former Section CZ#A314-52(A))
16.1.2 Applicability. These regulations shall apply to lands designated “A” on the…¶
Shelter Cove area, which includes areas with great archaeological and paleontological value as identified by the State Historic Preservation Officer. (Also see, the section “Archaeological Resource Area Regulations for Shelter Cove”.) (Former Section CZ#A314-52(B))
16.1.3 Modifications Imposed by the Archaeological Resource Area Regulations. Wherever…¶
these regulations conflict with or are inconsistent in application with any other regulations, the regulation most protective of archaeological resources shall apply. (Former Section CZ#A314-52(C))
16.1.4 Required Mitigation. Measures to mitigate adverse environmental effects of…¶
Archaeological Resource Areas shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (Former Section CZ#A314-52(D))
16.1.4.1 Relocate planned structures and roads to avoid or mitigate impacts on…¶
16.1.4.2 Provide protective cover for sites that cannot be avoided; (Former Section CZ…¶
16.1.4.3 Where appropriate, and providing all parties concerned approve, the removal or…¶
culturally significant material by a professional archaeologist shall be permitted. (Former Section CZ#A314-52(D)(3))
16.1.5 Additional Requirements for the Protection of Native American Graves, Burial…¶
and Ceremonial Sites. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Chapter, whenever a development will involve activities which may adversely affect Native American graves, cemeteries, burial grounds, or ceremonial sites, the County will follow or impose the following requirements: (Former Section CZ#A314-52(E))
16.1.5.1 Consultation With Indian Associations. Prior to final approval or…¶
development, the County shall consult with representatives of the Northwest Information Center of the California Archaeological Inventory (NICCAI), Department of Anthropology, Sonoma State University, and the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) and any known interested Native Americans. Such consultation will be directed to the questions of whether the project or operation will adversely affect Indian graves, cemeteries, burial grounds, or ceremonial sites, and whether there are reasonable alternative means of accomplishing the project or operation which would not adversely affect such graves, cemeteries, burial grounds or ceremonial sites. (Former Section CZ#A314-52(E)(1))
16.1.5.2 Required Mitigation Action. Based upon the information and recommendations…¶
the review (see, subsection 16.1.5.1), the project application shall be acted on in a manner that provides the best feasible protection to cultural sites. (Former Section CZ#A314-52(E)(2))
16.2 A: SPECIAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE AREA REGULATIONS FOR SHELTER COVE¶
16.2.1 Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that reasonable…¶
where development might have an adverse impact upon archaeological and paleontological resources in Shelter Cove. (Former Section CZ#A314-53(A))
16.2.2 Applicability. These regulations for Shelter Cove shall apply to lands…¶
Shelter Cove, which include areas with significant archaeological and paleontological value as identified by the State Historic Preservation Officer. (Former Section CZ#A314-53(B))
16.2.3 Modifications Imposed by the Special Archaeological Resource Area Regulations…¶
These regulations for Shelter Cove 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 regulations, the regulations most protective of archaeological resources shall apply. (Former Section CZ#A314-53(C))
16.2.4 Required Mitigation. Measures to mitigate adverse environmental effects of…¶
Archaeological Resources Areas for Shelter Cove shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (Former Section CZ#A314-53(D))
16.2.4.1 Site planned improvements to avoid or mitigate impacts on archaeological…¶
16.2.4.2 Provide protective cover for sites that cannot be avoided; (Former Section CZ…¶
16.2.4.3 Where appropriate and with concurrence of responsible agencies, the removal or…¶
culturally significant material by professional archaeologists shall be permitted. (Former Section CZ#A314-53(D)(3))
16.2.5 Procedures for Determining Required Mitigation.¶
16.2.5.1 Prior to final development approval or authorization, the County shall…¶
Development Permit to include an agreement to stop work in the event of discovery of any archaeological resources during construction. Said agreement shall provide for work stoppage on the affected resource area until a qualified archaeologist can determine the significance of the resource and suggest appropriate mitigation measures. The agreement shall not require an applicant to stop work for a period in excess of five (5) days, but shall provide an assurance that opportunity for reasonable mitigation to be carried out will be provided in the event significant archaeological resources are encountered. (Former Section CZ#A314-53(E)(1))
16.2.5.2 The stop work agreement requirement (see subsection 16.2.5.1) may be waived…¶
referral agencies have indicated such an agreement is not necessary or appropriate. (Former Section CZ#A314-53(E)(2))
16.2.5.3 On lands designated “A” on the Shelter Cove Coastal Zoning Maps, the County…¶
authorization or approval of development, consult with representatives of the Northwest Information Center of the California Archaeological Inventory (NICCAI), Department of Anthropology, Sonoma State University, the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), any known interested Native Americans, and the Bureau of Land Management staff archaeologist assigned to the King Range Area. Such consultation shall be directed at determining whether or not the proposed project would adversely affect significant archaeological or cultural heritage resources. (Former Section CZ#A314-53(E)(3))
16.2.5.4 Where the response to the above consultation provides substantial information…¶
significant archaeological resources would be adversely affected, the County, where feasible, shall require the project to avoid the significant resources and to allow for permanent protection of such resources. (Former Section CZ#A314-53(E)(4))
16.2.5.5 Where avoidance of such resources is not feasible, a plan of excavation shall…¶
prepared and carried out for the portions of the site that would be disturbed or covered by improvements such as foundations, drive-ways, and utility hookups. (Former Section CZ#A314-53(E)(5))
16.2.5.6 The plan of excavation shall:¶
16.2.5.6.1 Be prepared by a qualified archaeologist; (Former Section CZ A314-53(E)(6)(a))¶
16.2.5.6.2 Be compatible with preservation and recovery work on adjacent lots; (Former…¶
16.2.5.6.3 Be based on a review of area specific literature; (Former Section CZ…¶
16.2.5.6.4 Be peer reviewed by the above-mentioned referral agencies; (Former Section¶
16.2.5.6.5 Be a brief summary of the excavation proposed as part of a mitigation plan;…¶
16.2.5.6.6 List and briefly discuss the important information the archaeological…¶
likely to contain; (Former Section CZ#A314-53(E)(6)(f))
16.2.5.6.7 Explain how the information should be recorded to be useful in addressing…¶
research questions and other concerns identified in the plan prepared pursuant to this section; (Former Section CZ#A314-53(E)(6)(g))
16.2.5.6.8 Explain the methods of analysis and, if feasible, display of excavated…¶
Section CZ#A314-53(E)(6)(h))
16.2.5.6.9 Provide for final report preparation and distribution; (Former Section CZ…¶
16.2.5.6.10 Explain the estimated cost of and time required to complete all activities…¶
the plan; and (Former Section CZ#A314-53(E)(6)(j))
16.2.5.6.11 Be available for review only on a “need-to-know” basis. (Former Section CZ…¶
16.2.5.7 Where the cost of carrying out the excavation is neither feasible nor…¶
determine the appropriate limits on mitigation in accordance with California Environmental Quality Act guidelines, as may be applicable at the time of project review. (Former Section CZ#A314-53(E)(7))
16.3 AP: AIRPORT SAFETY REVIEW¶
16.3.1 Purpose. The purpose of these provisions is to establish regulations to maintain…¶
proposed land uses and development and Humboldt County airports. (Former Section CZ#A314-50(A))
16.3.2 Applicability. These regulations shall apply:¶
16.3.2.1 To lands designated AP on the Zoning Maps that are described in Section 333,…¶
Title III, of the Humboldt County Code as clear zones, approach zones, transition zones, and beneath the flight track; or
16.3.2.2 To lands identified in the Technical Report for the Humboldt County Airports…¶
appropriate for airport safety review zoning. (Former Section CZ#A314-50(B))
16.3.3 Permitted Land Use. The following Airport Safety Review Zoning Matrix table…¶
are permitted, and the type of permit required, when the AP - Airport Safety Review Zone is combined with a principal zone district. (Former Section CZ#A314-50(C))
16.3.4 Development Standards. In addition to the development standards of the…¶
following standards shall apply whenever the AP - Airport Safety Review Zone is combined with the principal zone: (Former Section CZ#A314-50(D))
16.3.4.1 No structure, tree, or other object shall be permitted to exceed the height…¶
Section 331, of the Humboldt County Code. (Former Section CZ#A314-50(D)(1))
16.3.4.2 Buildings constructed over thirty-five (35) feet may be allowed if a Special…¶
16.3.4.3 Maximum Density in Approach Zones.¶
16.3.4.3.1 The maximum density in an approach zone is one unit per three acres. A…¶
dwelling unit (1du) per lawfully created lot is permitted, even if this density is exceeded, but a Special Permit is required. The Special Permit process shall be used to retain, to the maximum extent feasible, the contiguous open space in the approach zone. (Former Section CZ#A314-50(D)(3))
16.3.4.3.2 Exceptions to the maximum density of one unit per three acres within an…¶
be permitted subject to approval by the Director of the Department of Public Works, which approval shall occur during the Special Permit process. (Former Section CZ#A314-50(D)(3)) AIRPORT SAFETY REVIEW ZONE MATRIX Use Clear Zone Approach Zone Transitional Zone Beneath Flight Track Residential Use Types having an average density of less than ten dwelling units per acre (10du/a) SP SP A A Residential Use Types having an average density of ten or more dwelling units per acre (10+du/a) NA SP SP SP High Occupancy Use Types whether permanent or temporary and whether in or out of a structure which result in assemblages of more than 25 persons per acre (excluding streets) NA SP A A Structures SP A A A “NA” Developments of this type are not permitted uses in this zone. “SP” Special Permit required. Review for consistency with Airport/Land Use Safety Compatibility Criteria. “A” Use Permitted consistent with principal zone requirements.
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