Coastal resources: local coastal program: coastal development permits: City of Santa Monica

The law sets deadlines for Santa Monica to take over local coastal development permitting after program certification. It also streamlines bike, transit, and pedestrian projects that maintain or improve access to the coast.

What the law does ​

• Requires Santa Monica to submit a complete proposed local coastal program to the California Coastal Commission by January 1, 2029.
• Requires the commission to identify needed changes within 45 days and act on Santa Monica’s complete proposal within six months, unless the city requests more time.
• Requires quarterly reports to the Legislature if the commission misses that deadline, and reimbursement of Santa Monica’s reasonable coordination costs if funds are appropriated.
• Gives Santa Monica coastal development permitting authority once its program is certified and accepted by the city.
• Allows expedited local-program amendments and requires permit waivers for qualifying non-state-highway projects that convert existing roadway space to bike, transit, or pedestrian use and provide equal or better coastal access.
• Requires public records and annual commission reporting through 2032 on applications for those roadway-conversion permit waivers.

Who it affects ​

• The City of Santa Monica and applicants seeking coastal development permits there after the city assumes permitting authority.
• Local governments and project sponsors proposing coastal bike, transit, or pedestrian roadway conversions.
• The California Coastal Commission and its executive director.

Context ​

The streamlined roadway rules apply only when the project provides commensurate or enhanced public access to the coast.

Breakdown ​

Santa Monica Coastal Program Deadline ​

The bill requires the City of Santa Monica to submit a complete proposed local coastal program for its coastal zone by January 1, 2029. It sets deadlines for the Coastal Commission to identify needed changes and act on the proposal, and requires the city and commission to work promptly to resolve issues. If the commission does not act within six months, it must give the Legislature quarterly written updates explaining the delay.

Key takeaways

• Santa Monica must submit a complete proposed local coastal program to the Coastal Commission by January 1, 2029.
• The Coastal Commission must act on the city’s complete proposal within six months unless the city requests more time.
• Within 45 days after receiving the proposal, the commission must give the city a written list of any issues needing revisions through suggested changes.
• The city and commission must work promptly and in good faith to agree on suggested changes within six months after the complete proposal is submitted.
• If the commission misses the six-month deadline, it must provide the Legislature with quarterly written updates that include the reason for the delay.
• The new requirement for Santa Monica creates a state-required local program.

Coastal Access Roadway Conversions ​

The bill streamlines coastal approvals for projects that turn existing road space into bicycle, transit, or pedestrian areas when the project provides equal or better public access to the coast. It expands the types of roadway conversions covered, allows certain coastal permit requirements to be waived for non-state highways, and requires annual reporting through 2032. The bill applies specially to the City of Santa Monica and provides for reimbursement if it creates state-mandated local costs.

Key takeaways

• A local coastal program amendment for converting existing road space to bicycle, transit, or pedestrian use must use the simplified de minimis process if the Coastal Commission’s executive director finds that the project provides equal or better public access to the coast overall.
• The streamlined amendment rule covers conversion of part or all of a developed road right-of-way and allows a combination of bicycle, transit, and pedestrian uses.
• For projects on roads that are not state highways, the coastal development permit requirement must be waived if the executive director finds that the project provides equal or better coastal access overall.
• Until December 31, 2032, the Coastal Commission must annually post online and send the Legislature a report that includes the number of covered coastal development permit applications it received.
• The bill includes findings supporting a special statute for the City of Santa Monica.
• If the Commission on State Mandates finds that the bill imposes reimbursable state-mandated costs on local agencies, those costs must be reimbursed under existing state procedures.