City of Laguna
Beach
August 20, 2025
Director’s Message
We wanted to take an opportunity to
share an update on some new tools
and services that are being rolled out.
We recognize that navigating the
development review process in the
City of Laguna Beach can be
challenging on many levels, Coastal
Zone, Design Review, steep
topography, etc. As a department we
are committed to a goal and mindset
of “continuous improvement”. We
consider design professionals and
architects who serve the Laguna
Beach community as our partners in
the development review process. We
welcome any feedback or suggestions
to improve our processes as we
continue to roll out new tools and
improvements moving forward.
Thank you,
Matt Schneider
Community Development Director
Community
Development
Updates
Virtual Counter Visits and Online
Application Submittals
The Planning Division began accepting online application submittals on January 15th. Most planning applications are now being submitted online without a visit to City Hall. We have found that some customers are booking planning application submittal appointments simply for the opportunity to ask general planning questions. Starting this week we will begin to offer 20-minute online virtual counter visits from 1:00 to 3:00pm Monday through Thursday with our counter Planning staff. These appointments will supplement our front counter walk-in hours (Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) and are intended to provide an opportunity to ask general planning and zoning questions and provide assistance with online permit portal submittals. To schedule an appointment please click the following link: Virtual Appointment - Planning Avoid waiting in line and schedule a virtual appointment from the convenience of your home or office
If you have not already submitted an application online we would encourage you to give it a try. While we will always welcome and enjoy meeting in person, especially when we need to work through issues together, we view the online permit portal as an important step in the Attachment 1
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modernization of the Community Development Department. The software is designed with efficiency and transparency in mind. As the percentage of applications that are created in the new system grows, we will be able to do a better job tracking how the department is doing and ultimately use that data to serve you better. As an applicant, you will also be able to view your application progressing through the review process in real time by logging into your account. Note that building permit applications may also be submitted online.
You may apply for a building permit or submit a planning application by following two simple steps:
1. Register an account for the City’s Public Permit Portal through the following link: Public Permit Portal Link
a. Public Permit Portal Registration Guide:
CivicAccessRegisrationGuide.pdf
2. Submit your project plans and completed application through the Public Permit Portal
Major Remodel Calculations
In 2020, we published a handout that clarifies the methodology for determining when a project rises to the level of a major remodel. The goal at that time was to reduce the incidence of substantial issue findings with City-approved projects on appeal to the California Coastal Commission. By that measure, the handout has been a big success.
When a project is classified as a major remodel, the application is subject to the same requirements as new development. These determinations are therefore of significant importance to applicants. We also recognize that part of what makes our town so special and unique is its irregular character. To some extent, that irregularity comes from the prevalence of non-conforming zoning conditions that reflect the different eras of the City’s development. When a major remodel requires the correction of non-conforming zoning conditions, we may lose some of the City’s organic feel.
Because the City has greater latitude when it comes to the major remodel methodology applied to areas that are not appealable to the Coastal Commission, we are no longer going to factor for the amount of roof demolition when a project is located within a non-appealable area. The content of the handout has otherwise been revised to improve clarity. An updated major remodel handout has been published online and may be downloaded using the following link: Major Remodel Handout
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Process Improvements
In an effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the entitlement process, we are implementing a revised workflow that streamlines key review phases. Under the current process, projects typically undergo multiple rounds of Zoning Plan Check (ZPC) before being allowed to proceed to the entitlement phase. This sequential and repetitive structure often delays progress, consumes significant staff time, and creates uncertainty for applicants. The entitlement phase begins only after all ZPC comments are resolved, followed by the preparation of the staff report and scheduling of a public hearing.
The new process aims to address these inefficiencies by limiting ZPC to a single round, which will serve as a preliminary review and provide applicants with a clear project road map early on. This initial review will focus on identifying major issues and daylighting requirements and expectations for the entitlement phase, in addition to providing the complete ZPC review that you are accustomed to. Once the project enters the entitlement phase with the first resubmittal, it should ideally require no more than two iterations to address any remaining concerns or deficiencies.
With this streamlined approach, the staff report and hearing phase will occur once the project is deemed complete, reducing delays and improving overall project delivery. The goal of this process improvement is to enhance clarity, improve coordination, and provide a more predictable and efficient path to project approval. Once the application has been deemed complete, you will be issued a completeness letter with a tentative hearing date. Our goal is to have completed applications presented at a public hearing within 45 days of clearance.
Residential Review Worksheets
To further support process improvements, staff have developed and implemented several new plan check tools, including a residential review worksheet. This worksheet has been pilot-tested over the past several weeks and is designed to consolidate all relevant project information into a single, comprehensive document. Its primary purpose is to provide clarity and consistency throughout the review process while minimizing delays and confusion.
The worksheet functions as both a decision tree for staff and a project road map for applicants. It aims to eliminate “late hits” by identifying issues early and clearly documenting all applicable zoning standards and calculations, effectively capturing “the math” behind each determination.
As a living, iterative document, the worksheet allows for ongoing updates
BUILDING &
PLANNING
PERMIT
COUNTER
HOURS
Monday – Thursday 7:30
a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Community Development
Website
Public Permit Portal Link
Board and Commission
Agenda/Minutes
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as projects evolve and ensures that corrections are clearly communicated.
Ultimately, this tool is intended to help architects and designers focus more effectively on needed revisions and to promote a more transparent and efficient review process.
One of the “tabs” from our new residential review worksheets Critical Date Calculator
Our new Critical Date Calculator is a process management tool designed to identify and track the key legal milestones and procedural steps that must be completed once a project is deemed complete. In practical terms, this tool allows staff to provide applicants with a tentative hearing date, typically set approximately 45 days from the date the entitlement application is determined to be complete. From there, the calculator generates a detailed processing timeline that includes all critical dates required to ensure compliance with public noticing and site staking requirements, as well as the City’s internal staff report preparation and review deadlines.
By clearly outlining these benchmarks, the Critical Date Calculator brings greater transparency and predictability to the entitlement process for both staff and applicants. It ensures that all necessary steps are accounted for in advance, reducing the risk of procedural delays and supporting timely 7 5
project scheduling. Ultimately, this tool enhances coordination, improves accountability, and helps maintain a consistent and legally defensible process from application completeness to final hearing.
Preparing a staff report for hearing involves coordination among staff and the applicant team to meet several noticing and legal requirements Planning Application
The residential and commercial planning applications have been consolidated into one universal planning application. The new application includes a checklist of requirements to reduce the incidence of new applications being submitted with missing information that is critical for staff’s review. Download the new planning application here: Planning Application
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