BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT BRAGG
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION 17 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE (CLUDC AMENDMENT LCP 4-23) TO ADOPT CHAPTER 17.42.175 "TINY HOMES, MODEL PARK RVS & MOBILE HOMES", OF DIVISION 17 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR TINY HOMES, MODEL PARK RVS & MOBILE HOMES.AN ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION 17 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE (CLUDC AMENDMENT LCP 4-23) TO ADOPT CHAPTER 17.42.175 "TINY HOMES, MODEL PARK RVS & MOBILE HOMES", OF DIVISION 17 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR TINY HOMES, MODEL PARK RVS & MOBILE HOMES.ORDINANCE NO. 1035-2026 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION 17 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE (CLUDC AMENDMENT LCP 4-23) TO ADOPT CHAPTER 17.42.175 "TINY HOMES, MODEL PARK RVS & MOBILE HOMES", OF DIVISION 17 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR TINY HOMES, MODEL PARK RVS & MOBILE HOMES.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION 17 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE (CLUDC AMENDMENT LCP 4-23) TO ADOPT CHAPTER 17.42.175 "TINY HOMES, MODEL PARK RVS & MOBILE HOMES", OF DIVISION 17 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR TINY HOMES, MODEL PARK RVS & MOBILE HOMES.
WHEREAS, California Constitution Article XI, Section 7, enables the City of Fort Bragg (the "City") to enact local planning and land use regulations; and WHEREAS the authority to adopt and enforce zoning regulations is an exercise of the City's police power to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and WHEREAS the City of Fort Bragg ("City") adopted a General Plan in 2002 which established policies for all lands within Fort Bragg city limits; and WHEREAS, the City adopted a Coastal General Plan ("Coastal GP") as the Land Use Plan portion of the Local Coastal Program on May 12, 2008 which established policies for all land within the Fort Bragg Coastal Zone; and WHEREAS, in August 2008 the California Coastal Commission certified the City's Local Coastal Program (LCP) which includes the Coastal GP as the Land Use Plan; and WHEREAS, The City Council adopted Resolution 3162-2008 on May 12, 2008 adopting the Coastal General Plan; and WHEREAS, the City adopted a Coastal Land Use and Development Code in 2008 as the implementing portion of the Local Coastal Program on May 12, 2008, which established all land use regulations for the Coastal Zone; and WHEREAS, the Coastal General Plan includes policies to: (1) advance the orderly growth and development of the City's Coastal Zone; (2) protect coastal resources; (3) incorporate sustainability into the development process so that Fort Bragg's coastal resources and amenities are preserved for future generations; (4) respond to current environmental and infrastructure constraints; (5) protect the public health, safety and welfare; and (6) promote fiscally responsible development; and WHEREAS, the availability of housing is a substantial concern for individuals of all demographics, ages, and economic backgrounds in communities throughout the State of California; and WHEREAS the City desires to ensure that residential development occurs in an orderly manner, in accordance with the goals and objectives of the General Plan and reasonable land use planning principles; and WHEREAS, in 2019, the City of Fort Bragg amended the Housing Element of the General Plan for conformance with State Housing Law. The 2019 Housing Element includes the following non-mandatory program regarding Tiny Homes. Program H-1.3.5 Allow Tiny Homes as Second Units. Consider revising the zoning ordinance so that people can park mobile residencies (residences built under the vehicle code) as a second unit, so long as the residence looks like a house (e.g., external siding that is compatible with the residential neighborhood, skirted if the wheels would otherwise be visible from the public right of way, etc.); and WHEREAS, The project is exempt from CEQA, as a zoning amendment to implement the provisions of Sections 65852.1 and Section 66411.7 of the Government Code is exempt from CEQA by those code sections; and WHEREAS, the "activities and approvals by a local government necessary for the preparation and adoption of a local coastal program or long range development plan" pursuant to the California Coastal Act are statutorily exempt from compliance with CEQA, and this statutory exemption "shifts the burden of CEQA compliance from the local agency to the California Coastal Commission (CEQA Guidelines§ 15265 (c)); and WHEREAS, On April 22, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance 980 establishing a Tiny Home Ordinance for the ILUDC, and the ordinance was subsequently found to have some conflicts with State law; and WHEREAS, on May 17 of 2023, the Community Development Committee received a Tiny Home presentation from Marie Jones Consulting and discussed this item without providing recommendations regarding ordinance revisions; and WHEREAS the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on March 27, 2024, to consider the zoning amendment, accept public testimony and provided direction to the consultant to revise the resolution and ordinance language; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission continued the Public Hearing to April 10, 2024, to review and consider the final resolutions and ordinance language; and WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on May 13, 2024, to consider the Zoning Amendment, accept public testimony; and formally submit the draft Language of the Ordinance to the Coastal Commission as an LCP Amendment; and WHEREAS, the Coastal Commission staff reviewed the Draft Language and provided questions and comments which have been incorporated into this Ordinance; and WHEREAS, the Coastal Commission staff requested that the City adopt the proposed language in ordinance form prior to bringing it forward to the Coastal Commission for consideration; and WHEREAS, the City Council has considered all public comments and a staff report dated February 24, 2025 regarding the proposed ordinance; the staff report is incorporated herein by reference and available for review at City Hall during normal business hours; and WHEREAS, the City submitted a Local Coastal Plan Amendment to the Coastal Commission on November 18, 2025, in a package of proposed amendments (ten separately adopted ordinances) that will be considered by the Commission as seven applications; and WHEREAS, the California Coastal Commission considered and certified the ADU ordinance on May 14th 2026 subject to “friendly modifications”, and WHEREAS, the proposed minor modification to the Coastal Land Use and Development Code is set forth in its entirety in Section 2 - Section 4 below; and WHEREAS, the "activities and approvals by a local government necessary for the preparation and adoption of a local coastal program or long-range development plan" pursuant to the California Coastal Act are statutorily exempt from compliance with CEQA, and this statutory exemption "shifts the burden of CEQA compliance from the local agency to the California Coastal Commission (CEQA Guidelines § 15265 (c)).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Fort Bragg City Council, based on the entirety of the record before it, which includes without limitation, CEQA, Public Resources Code §21000, et seq. and the CEQA Guidelines, 14 California Code of Regulations §15000, et seq.; the Fort Bragg Inland General Plan; the Fort Bragg Inland Land Use and Development Code; the Project application; all reports and public testimony submitted as part of the City Council meeting of August 24, 2026 and City Council deliberations; and any other evidence (within the meaning of Public Resources Code §21080(e) and §21082.2), the Fort Bragg City Council does ordains as follows:
SECTION 1. Legislative Findings. The City Council hereby finds as follows:
The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are made a part of this Ordinance.
On April 10, 2024, and January 27, 2024, the Planning Commission held properly noticed public hearings to consider recommending the proposed minor amendment to the Coastal Land Use and Development Code to the Fort Bragg City Council for adoption, and adopted a resolution in support of the City Council's adoption of the minor amendment to the CLUDC pursuant to Gov. Code Section 65355.
On February 24, 2025, the City Council held a properly noticed public hearing to consider adoption of the minor amendment to the Coastal Land Use and Development Code.
The Coastal Commission held a properly noticed public hearing and certified the minor amendment to the Coastal Land Use and Development Code, subject to various minor modifications; and The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City and seeks to be consistent with recently adopted State Laws as codified in California Government Code sections 66310 through 66342; and The proposed amendment is consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan; and The proposed amendment is consistent with the following applicable General Plan policies: Policy LU-10.2, Policy LU-10.4, Policy LU-10.6, Policy LU-5. 7, Policy LU-10.1, Policy PF-1.2, Policy PF-2.1, Policy CD-1.1, CD-2.5, Program H-1.3.5, Program H-2.3.2, Policy H-1.6, Program H-3.2 The proposed amendment is in the public interest to permit alternative opportunities for housing, which will provide for better convenience and welfare for the residents of the City of Fort Bragg, as it will result in additional housing. The proposed amendment requires conformance with applicable building and vehicle codes, which will ensure healthy and safe housing.
The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of the Coastal Land Use Development Code, including its Chapters 17.42, 17.71, 17.100, and others; and the LCP Amendment is consistent with the California Coastal Act.
The project is exempt from CEQA, as a zoning amendment to implement the provisions of Sections 65852.1 and Section 66411.7 of the Government Code is exempt from CEQA by those code sections; and Pursuant to Coastal Act Section 30510(a), the City of Fort Bragg will carry out the Local Coastal Program as amended in a manner fully in conformity with the California Coastal Act; and The documents and other material constituting the record for these proceedings are located in the Community Development Department.
The amendments to the Local Coastal Program shall take effect automatically as the Coastal Commission has already approved and certified the amendments pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 30512, 30513, and 30519.
SECTION 2. Based on the foregoing, the City Council does hereby:
Amend Title 17.21.030(8) Table 2-1 Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Residential Zoning Districts TABLE 2-1
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Residential Zoning Districts P
Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance required
MUP
Minor Use Permit required (see
Section 17.71.060)
UP
Use Permit required (see Section 17.71.060)
S
Permit requirement set by Specific Use Regulations
—
Use not allowed
LAND USE (1)
PERMIT REQUIRED BY DISTRICT
Specific Use Regs.
RR
RS
RL
RM
RH
RVH
RESIDENTIAL USES
Mobile Home Park
UP
UP
UP
UP
UP
UP
17.42.110
Mobile / Manufactured home
P
P
P
P
P
P
17.42.110
Tiny Home / Manufactured Home Community
-
-
UP
UP
UP
UP
17.42.110
Tiny Home
P
P
P
P
P
P
17.42.175
TABLE 2-6
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial Zoning Districts P
Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance required
MUP
Minor Use Permit required (see Section 17.71.060)
UP
Use Permit required (see Section 17.71.060)
S
Permit requirement set by Specific Use Regulations
—
Use not allowed
LAND USE (1)
PERMIT REQUIRED BY DISTRICT
Specific Use Regs.
CN
CO
CBD
CG
CH
RESIDENTIAL USES
Tiny Home
P(6 )
P( 6)
UP(6)
17.42.175
Tiny Home / Manufactured Home Community
UP
UP
-
UP
UP
17.42.115
Notes:
…
(6 ) Use permitted only on parcels with existing single residential unit or existing/ proposed multifamily development, and only in compliance with § 17.42.175.
SECTION 3. Based on the foregoing, the City Council hereby repeal and replace Chapter 17.42.175 is hereby in it its entirety as follows:
17.42.175 Tiny Homes, Model Park RVs & Mobile Homes
Applicability. Where allowed by Article 2 (Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses), Tiny Homes, Park Model RVs and Mobile Homes shall obtain a Coastal Development Permit and comply with the standards of this section.
Tiny Home and Park Model RV Standards. Tiny Homes and Park Model RVs shall be subject to all of the following additional criteria:
Limitations on Location & Timing & Permit Requirements
Accessory to a Primary Residence. A Tiny home or Park Model RV is allowed as an accessory residential use to a Primary Residential Unit and may be constructed/installed before, during or after the Primary Residential Unit. If installed prior to the primary residential unit, the Tiny Home or PMRV must be installed in the back half of the parcel.
As an ADU Equivalent in Multifamily. One tiny homes or one Park Model RV is permitted in Multifamily Residential Zoning Districts as a type of detached ADU under Section 17.42.170 or as part of a Tiny Home Community under Section 17.42.110.
Permit Requirements. A Tiny Home, or Park Model RV shall be subject to a Coastal Development Permit if site improvements are required to establish it.
Development Standards. Tiny Homes and Park Model RVs (Unit) shall conform with the following requirements:
Height. The unit shall have a maximum height of 13' 6" to comply with Department of Motor Vehicles (OMV) towing requirements.
Setbacks. A unit shall comply with front and street side setbacks but may have a 4+-foot setback from the inside or rear parcel lines. The unit must be located a minimum distance of 10 feet from all other structures.
Size. Units shall be at least 150 square feet in compliance with the California Health & Safety Code, but no more than 400 square feet.
Number of Units Allowed. Units are allowed on a parcel in the following configurations:
On a parcel with an existing primary unit, a maximum of one Tiny home or Park Model RV unit is permitted. One tiny home or Park Model RV is permitted in addition to one detached ADU on the property. Neither is permitted if there are four or more residential units on a low density residentially zoned parcel.
Tiny homes and Park Model RVs are permitted in Tiny Home Communities, and the maximum allowed is determined by Section 17.42.110.
Foundation. Tiny Homes shall not be placed on a temporary or permanent foundation unless the Tiny Home has been constructed in compliance with the Appendix Q Tiny Houses of the UBC. Park Model RVs may be placed on a permanent foundation.
Fire Inspection. Prior to occupancy, each Tiny home and Park Model RV shall be inspected by the Fire Marshal to ensure adequacy of the smoke alarm and fire extinguisher.
Design Standards. A Tiny Home and Park Model RV shall maintain a residential appearance through the following design standards.
Skirting. The undercarriage (wheels, axles, tongue and hitch) shall be hidden from view with a solid wood, metal or concrete apron when parked.
Paved Pad. A paved parking pad shall be required, unless that Tiny Home or Park Model RV are placed on a permanent foundation (per C2e above), and include bumper guards, curbs, or other installations adequate to prevent movement of the unit. Alternative paving methods may be permitted at the discretion of the Community Development Director.
Mechanical Equipment. Mechanical equipment shall be incorporated into the structure and not be located on the roof (except for solar panels).
Materials. Materials for the exterior wall covering shall include wood, hardy panel or equivalent material as determined by the Community Development Director.
Windows. Windows shall be double pane glass or better, labeled for building use, and be trimmed out.
Utility Connections. The unit shall be connected to City water and sewer utilities through dedicated pipes. The unit shall be connected to electrical power in compliance with the Building Code.
Ownership. Ownership of the Tiny Home or Park Model RV is not required.
Short Term Rentals. Tiny Homes and Park Model RV shall not be used as short-term rentals of less than 30 days.
Parking Requirements.
Parking Exemptions & Requirements: No parking is required unless the Tiny Home is located in a neighborhood, which provides public parking and public access to the coast. In Fort Bragg this includes all residential parcels that directly abut Glass Beach Drive. All other parcels are not required to provide parking.
Replacement Parking Exemption. No replacement parking space(s) are required for the primary unit, when a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction with the construction of a Tiny Home.
Tiny Homes and Park Model RV's proposed for Sensitive Habitats, Scenic Areas, and areas subject to Sea Level Rise. Tiny Homes shall only be permitted if found in conformance with the policies and standards of the certified Coastal General Plan and Coastal Land Use and Development Code.
Mobile Home Outside of a Mobile Home Park.
Development Standards. The site, and the placement of the mobile home on the site shall comply with all zoning and development standards applicable to a conventional single-family dwelling or ADU on the same parcel.
Mobile homes are permitted as ADUs and/or as the primary residence.
Mobile home design and construction standards. A mobile home outside of a mobile home park shall comply with the following design and construction standards.
The exterior siding, trim, and roof shall be of the same materials and treatment found in conventionally built residential structures in the surrounding area and shall appear the same as the exterior materials on any garage or other accessory structure on the same site.
The roof shall have eave and gable overhangs of not less than 12 inches measured from the vertical side of the mobile home, and the roof pitch shall be no less than 3:12.
The mobile home shall be placed on a foundation system, subject to the approval of the Building Official; and The mobile home is certified under the National Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards Act (42 USC Section 4401 et seq.).
SECTION 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the Ordinance. The City Council of the City of Fort Bragg hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases may be held invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 5. Effective Date and Publication. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its certification by the Coastal Commission. Within fifteen (15) days after the passage of this Ordinance by the Coastal Commission, the City Clerk shall cause a summary of said Ordinance to be published as provided in Government Code §36933, in a newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the City of Fort Bragg, along with the names of the City Council voting for and against its passage.
The foregoing Ordinance was introduced by Councilmember Albin-Smith at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fort Bragg held September 14, 2026, and adopted at a regular meeting of the City of Fort Bragg held on October 13, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: RECUSE:
_______________________
JASON GODEKE, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
Diana Paoli, City Clerk
PUBLISH: October 8, 2026 and October 22, 2026 (by summary).
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 13, 2026.
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