Grading Ordinance and By-Right Housing

The County is making it easier to build housing in unincorporated communities — especially near jobs and services. Updates will also simplify rules for local agriculture. To support this effort, the County is updating key ordinances.

The two ordinances are:

• The Grading, Clearing, and Watercourses Ordinance (also called the Grading Ordinance)
• The Resource Protection Ordinance

This project has two main goals:

• Make it easier and faster to get permits for building homes in areas that are already developed or have little impact on the environment.
• Help farmers by making the permit process simpler for farming activities.

Right now, no specific projects are planned; however, the County will study how the proposed changes to the ordinances could affect the environment and report the findings in a document called a Program Environmental Impact Report or PEIR.

Your feedback is important and will help shape this project to better serve your community.

You will be able to inform:

•   Draft ordinance language

•   Eligibility criteria for streamlined housing

•   Final recommendations to the Board of Supervisors

Together, we can create a balanced approach that supports both agriculture and housing, while also protecting the environment. 

How can you participate in the process? 

•   Sign up to follow this project and receive regular status updates  

•   Share this page's information with others 

•   Ask questions 

•   Comment on draft materials when released 

•   Check back often - more opportunities to get involved will be available soon!