The General Plan formalizes a long-term vision for the physical evolution of Del Norte County and outlines policies, standards, and programs to guide day-to-day decisions concerning Del Norte County's development. Designed to meet state general plan and coastal planning requirements, the General Plan consists of two documents: the General Plan Policy Document and ta General Plan Background Report. This Policy Document is divided into two main parts. Part I is the General Plan Summary, which provides background about the General Plan and reviews the plan's major themes and proposals. This section is a summary only, and does not set official policy. The lengthier and more detailed Part II presents Del Norte County's formal General Plan policy statements in the form of goals, policies, standards, implementation programs, and quantified objectives, expressed in both text and diagrams.

General Plan, Coastal Element, 1983 (Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan)

The Local Coastal Program (LCP) is a basic planning tool used by the local government to guide development in the coastal zone, in partnership with the Coastal Commission. The LCP contains the ground rules for future development and protection of coastal resources. The LCP includes a land use plan and measures to implement the plan (such as zoning ordinances). Prepared by the local government, these programs govern decisions that determine the short-term and long-term conservation and use of coastal resources. The plan is implemented through Title 21 - Coastal Zoning of the Del Norte County Code.

General Plan, Crescent City Harbor Land Use Plan, 2023 (a Separate Segment of the Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan)

In March 2023, the California Coastal Commission certified a comprehensive update to the Crescent City Harbor Land Use Plan. The LCP segment covers approximately 92 acres of land and 2982 acres of water area. the area covered under the Harbor Land Use Plan extends along the south sand barrier westward to Whaler Island, northwesterly to the Crescent City limits, and easterly to Highway 101.

In March 2023, the California Coastal Commission certified a comprehensive update to the Crescent City Harbor Land Use Plan including the land use plan and zoning. The comprehensive update covers approximately 92 acres of land and 2982 acres of water area. the area covered under the Harbor Land Use Plan extends along the south sand barrier westward to Whaler Island, northwesterly to the Crescent City limits, and easterly to Highway 101.

Housing Element, 2022-2030

The Housing Element is required to be updated on an 8-year cycle to demonstrate that the County has the ability to accommodate its share of the identified Regional Housing Need developed by the State of California. The Housing Element also establishes the goals and policies of the County with regard to housing over the next 5 years. Full details about the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update may be found on the dedicated website.

The 2022-2030 Housing Element was certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development on February 24, 2023.

In 2014, the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors adopted County Ordinance 2014-011 which was codified in Chapter 10.25 of the Del Norte County Code - Off Highway Vehicles. This section allows for the operation of off-highway vehicles (OHV), in addition to conventional vehicles, on four County-maintained roads located in the Smith River National Recreation Area of the Six Rivers National Forest.

The 2018 Del Norte County OHV Facilities Plan (Plan) highlights areas where motorized recreation opportunities currently exist and helps to guide decision-making in the development of future OHV facilities. The Plan outlines core values and principles, divides the County into planning units, and prioritizes goals, policies, and programs through cost-benefit analysis. It is the intent of the Planning Division to continue facilitating OHV recreation consistent with the Plan.

More information about the ordinance may be found under the Forms and Handouts page on the Building Inspection webpage and at the California Department of Water Resources website.

Community Development Department Director

981 H Street, Suite 110 | Crescent City, CA 95531

Building Inspection | (707) 464-7253

Code Enforcement | (707) 464-7254

Engineering & Surveying | (707) 464-7229

Environmental Health | (707) 465-0426

Planning | (707) 464-7254

Roads | (707) 464-7238

Documents