Since 2008, EAC has been a critical and tireless advocate working within the public process with Marin County on the Local Coastal Program amendments (or LCPA). For the past thirteen years, EAC has researched, reviewed, and commented on thousands of pages of documents and participated in every public workshop and planning meeting for the Marin LCP amendments.

Until all of the LCP amendments are finalized, EAC will continue to be actively involved in the amendment process and is committed to ensure that the amended LCP:

STAY UP TO DATE

Marin County LCP

Update! On July 13, 2021, the Marin County Board of Supervisors moved to put all LCP amendments into effect in 30 days (August 12, 2021) without updating its critical environmental hazards chapter, which is still pending. The new LCP provisions are currently in effect, alongside hazards policies from the 1980s.

Marin County completed its original certified LCP in 1981.

The 1981 certified Marin County LCP has provided a development framework for public participation that has successfully protected and conserved natural and coastal resources, the community character of West Marin's unique coastal villages, scenic vistas, public access to coastal areas, and agricultural lands for 40 years.

In 2008, Marin County embarked on a process to amend the 1981 LCP. 

The amendment process requires involvement from multiple government agencies and the public. The process requires public workshops, Marin County Planning Commission hearings, the adoption of the Marin LCP amendments by the County Board Supervisors, and finally the Coastal Commission's certification of the Marin LCP amendments.

Marin County
Coastal Zone

CALIFORNIA COASTAL ACT

The California Coastal Act is largely responsible for the preservation of California's 840 mile beautiful coastline. The Act helps protect California's coast from large-scale development. The Act requires each local government within the coastal zone develop a Local Coastal Program (LCP). 

WHAT IS AN LCP?

Local Coastal Programs (LCPs) are basic planning tools used by local governments to guide development in the coastal zone, in partnership with the Coastal Commission. 

Each LCP includes both a Land Use Plan (LUP) and an Implementation Plan (IP), which define where, how, and when development can occur in the coastal zone.

A LCP contains the rules and regulations for future development and protection of coastal resources in the 76 coastal cities and counties in California.

LCPs specify appropriate locations, types, and the scale of new or changed uses of land and water.

LCPs are prepared and implemented by local governments and govern decisions that determine the short and long-term conservation and use of coastal resources.

While each LCP reflects unique characteristics of individual local coastal communities, regional and statewide interests and concerns must also be addressed in conformity with Coastal Act goals and policies. Following adoption by a city council or county board of supervisors, an LCP is submitted to the Coastal Commission for review for consistency with Coastal Act requirements.

In summary, LCPs are  a local government’s land use plans, zoning ordinances, and zoning district maps for the coastal zone. LCPs ensure the protection of sensitive coastal resources areas, and when applied with implementation actions, meet the requirements  and implement the provisions and policies of the Coastal Act at the local level.

After an LCP has been finally approved, the coastal permitting authority over most new development is transferred to the local government, which applies the requirements of the LCP in reviewing proposed new developments. The Coastal Commission however: 

• Retains permanent coastal permit jurisdiction over development proposed on tidelands, submerged lands, and public trust lands.

• Acts on appeals from certain local government coastal permit decisions.

• Reviews and approves any amendments to previously certified LCPs.