Marin County Supervisors Approve Changes To Countywide Plan

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The Marin County Board of Supervisors finalized court-ordered amendments to the Marin Countywide Plan (CWP) on Tuesday, clarifying language related to multifamily housing and community plans in unincorporated areas.

The revisions stem from a lawsuit filed in Marin County Superior Court, requiring updates to specific clauses in the 764-page planning document by March 12. While the CWP was initially approved by the Board of Supervisors in January 2023 and later certified by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in June 2023, legal action mandated the removal and replacement of language affecting housing policies in established unincorporated neighborhoods.

The Marin County Planning Commission authored the March 4 updates, ensuring compliance with the court’s order. The changes remove language in the Housing Element that previously superseded community plans while incorporating replacement language to promote expanded housing options throughout unincorporated Marin County.

The County will now submit the revised language to the Superior Court and provide it to HCD for final review. Maintaining an approved Housing Element is critical for local control over development approvals and securing state funding for housing initiatives.

The Board of Supervisors first heard public comment on the issue in October 2024 and requested a court extension to refine the amendments. Over the past several months, County planning staff collaborated with petitioner Bruce Corcoran to draft alternative replacement language. The Planning Commission evaluated these options and recommended compromise amendments that balance court compliance, community plan recognition, and state housing law requirements.

Board of Supervisors President Mary Sackett thanked the public for its engagement and commended the Planning Commission’s efforts in aligning the revisions with County priorities, including:

• Meeting court requirements,
• Preserving the role of community plans, and
• Maintaining Housing Element certification.

For more information on land development policies and regulations, visit the Marin County Community Development Agency’s website.