Bay Area County Considers Upcoming Housing, Land Use Changes

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Over the next several months, the Marin County Community Development Agency said it will keep residents updated regarding potential changes to housing regarding developing property on the coast.

The County’s Local Coast Program is due for an update as the CDA staff prepares to update the County’s Housing Elements that were approved in 2023.

Proposed amendments are mandated by state laws in order to implement the 2023 Housing Element Update and recent laws that impact coastal areas of unincorporated Marin County.

The amendments will impact the creation of new multi-unit or subdivision housing with minimal effect on single-family dwellings. There will also be minor changes for accessory dwelling units, the county stated.

The Coastal Zone includes Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, and Bolinas in the southern part of Marin’s Pacific Coast; and Olema, Point Reyes Station, Inverness, Marshall, Tomales, Dillon Beach, and the surrounding area on the northern section of the coast.

Those living on federal property, such as the Point Reyes National Seashore and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, are not subject to the LCP regulations.

Proposed amendments are mandated by state laws in order to implement the 2023 Housing Element Update and recent laws that impact coastal areas of unincorporated Marin County.

The Board of Supervisors and the Coastal Commission are required to approved the amendments.

The CDA will update the community through in-person town hall and virtual meetings and plan to introduce the amendments to the Planning Commission in August and to the Board of Supervisors in October.