California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 5.5 - California Coastal Commission
Chapter 6 - Exclusions from Permit Requirements
Subchapter 6 - Existing Single-Family Residences
Section 13250 - Improvements to Existing Single-Family Residences

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 13250

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) For purposes of Public Resources Code Section 30610(a) where there is an existing single-family residential building, the following shall be considered a part of that structure:

(1) All fixtures and other structures directly attached to a residence;

(2) Structures on the property normally associated with a single-family residence, such as garages, swimming pools, fences, and storage sheds; but not including guest houses or self-contained residential units; and

(3) Landscaping on the lot.

(b) Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 30610(a), the following classes of development require a coastal development permit because they involve a risk of adverse environmental effects:

(1) Improvements to a single-family structure if the structure or improvement is located: on a beach, in a wetland, seaward of the mean high tide line, in an environmentally sensitive habitat area, in an area designated as highly scenic in a certified land use plan, or within 50 feet of the edge of a coastal bluff.

(2) Any significant alteration of land forms including removal or placement of vegetation, on a beach, wetland, or sand dune, or within 50 feet of the edge of a coastal bluff, or in environmentally sensitive habitat areas;

(3) The expansion or construction of water wells or septic systems;

(4) On property not included in subsection (b)(1) above that is located between the sea and the first public road paralleling the sea or within 300 feet of the inland extent of any beach or of the mean high tide of the sea where there is no beach, whichever is the greater distance, or in significant scenic resources areas as designated by the commission or regional commission, an improvement that would result in an increase of 10 percent or more of internal floor area of an existing structure or an additional improvement of 10 percent or less where an improvement to the structure had previously been undertaken pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 30610(a), increase in height by more than 10 percent of an existing structure and/or any significant non-attached structure such as garages, fences, shoreline protective works or docks.

(5) In areas which the commission or a regional commission has previously declared by resolution after public hearing to have a critically short water supply that must be maintained for the protection of coastal resources or public recreational use, the construction of any specified major water using development not essential to residential use including but not limited to swimming pools, or the construction or extension of any landscaping irrigation system.

(6) Any improvement to a single-family residence where the development permit issued for the original structure by the commission, regional commission, or local government indicated that any future improvements would require a development permit.

(c) In any particular case, even though an improvement falls into one of the classes set forth in subsection (b) above, the executive director of the commission may, where he or she finds the impact of the development on coastal resources or coastal access to be insignificant, waive the requirement of a permit; provided, however, that any such waiver shall not be effective until it is reported to the commission at its next regularly scheduled meeting. If any three (3) commissioners object to the waiver, the proposed improvement shall not be undertaken without a permit.

1. Amendment filed 6-10-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 24).
2. Amendment of subsection (b)(4) filed 8-24-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 35).
3. Amendment of subsection (a)(5) filed 5-29-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 22).
4. Amendment filed 1-3-80 as an emergency; effective upon filing (Register 80, No. 1). A Certificate of Compliance must be filed within 120 days or emergency language will be repealed on 5-3-80.
5. Certificate of Compliance transmitted to OAH 4-29-80 and filed 5-8-80 (Register 80, No. 19).
6. Amendment of subsection (b)(1) filed 7-24-80; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 80, No. 30).
7. Amendment filed 1-28-81; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 81, No. 5).
8. Amendment of subsection (c) filed 8-14-81; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 81, No. 33).
9. Amendment of section heading and section filed 9-20-99; operative 10-20-99 (Register 99, No. 39).
10. Amendment of subsection (b)(4) filed 11-27-2019; operative 1-1-2020 (Register 2019, No. 48).

Note: Authority cited: Section 30333, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 30610(a), Public Resources Code.

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