California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 5.5 - California Coastal Commission
Chapter 6 - Exclusions from Permit Requirements
Subchapter 7.5 - Improvements to Structures, Other than Single-Family Residences and Public Works Facilities that Require Permits
Section 13253 - Improvements that Require Permits

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 13253

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

(a) For purposes of Public Resources Code Section 30610(b) where there is an existing structure, other than a single-family residence or public works facility, the following shall be considered a part of that structure:

(1) All fixtures and other structures directly attached to the structure.

(2) Landscaping on the lot.

(b) Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 30610(b), the following classes of development require a coastal development permit because they involve a risk of adverse environmental effect, adversely affect public access, or involve a change in use contrary to the policy of Division 20 of the Public Resources Code:

(1) Improvement to any structure if the structure or the improvement is located: on a beach; in a wetland, stream, or lake; seaward of the mean high tide line; 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 or sand dune; in a wetland or stream; within 100 feet of the edge of a coastal bluff, in a highly scenic area, or in an environmentally sensitive habitat area;

(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 resource 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 the existing structure, or constitute an additional improvement of 10 percent or less where an improvement to the structure has previously been undertaken pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 30610(b), and/or increase in height by more than 10 percent of an existing structure;

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

(6) Any improvement to a structure where the coastal 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;

(7) Any improvement to a structure which changes the intensity of use of the structure;

(8) Any improvement made pursuant to a conversion of an existing structure from a multiple unit rental use or visitor-serving commercial use to a use involving a fee ownership or long-term leasehold including but not limited to a condominium conversion, stock cooperative conversion or motel/hotel timesharing conversion.

(c) In any particular case, even though the proposed 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. New subchapter 7.5 (Section 13253) 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.
2. Certificate of Compliance transmitted to OAH 4-29-80 and filed 5-8-80 (Register 80, No. 19).
3. Amendment of subsection (b)(1) filed 7-24-80; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 80, No. 30).
4. Amendment filed 1-28-81; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 81, No. 5).
5. Amendment of subsection (c) filed 8-14-81; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 81, No. 33).
6. Amendment of subsections (b)(1)-(2), (b)(4), (b)(6) and (c) filed 9-20-99; operative 10-20-99 (Register 99, No. 39).
7. 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(b), Public Resources Code.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. California may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.