The Planning Department, under the direction of the City Planner, manages and enforces the Zoning Ordinance, Title 18 of the City’s Municipal Code.

The Planning Department is also responsible for the review of development proposals, organizing application processing, public hearings pertaining to such proposals and applications, and the issuance of development permits. Planning Department staff perform both long range and current planning projects. Long range projects include maintaining the City’s General Plan and Housing Element, Local Coastal Plan and Ordinance and Map. Current planning pertains mostly to processing land use and development applications, which includes architectural review, site plan review, land use proposals, property subdivisions, etc. The Planning Department is also responsible in the City’s dealings with regional, State, and Federal agencies involved with land use, land management, transportation, air quality, water quality, public health, and parks & recreation.

Contract Assistant Planner, Matt Papurello, is available at City Hall for over-the-counter services on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10 am - 2 pm.  Starting the week of August 12th, the planning staff will be at City Hall Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-1. To meet with a planner outside of those hours, email planning@sandcityca.org.

Contact the Planning Department for information on:

• Sand City West End Parking Plan – Mitigated Negative Declaration/Initial Study (CEQA)
• Sand City West End Parking Plan – Final Draft 
• Zoning Codes and Map Parcel Information
• General Plan
• General Plan Map
• Sand City Zoning Map
• Land Development Requirements
• Coastal Zone Regulations
• 2021 Sustainable Transportation Plan
  
• Sand City Vibrancy Plan
• Sand City West End Parking Plan
• Local Coastal Program - Implementation Plan
• Local Coastal Program - Land Use Plan

Sustainable Transportation Plan

Sand City occupies a key location within the transportation fabric of the Monterey Peninsula region. However, the City’s street network was built for industry in a time when sidewalks and bicycle lanes were not known or not thought to be needed. Because of this there are significant gaps in pedestrian and bicycle facilities within the City.

The City of Sand City has completed a Sustainable Transportation Plan that proposes improvements within and adjacent to Sand City to improve circulation for pedestrians, bicyclists, and the mobility-challenged, and improve access to transit. The Sustainable Transportation Plan was adopted on December 21, 2021 along with certification of a mitigated negative declaration. 

The Sand City Vibrancy Plan is aligned with, and builds upon, the City’s General Plan for primarily the South of Tioga and West End Planning Districts.  The Vibrancy Plan is designed to facilitate land use transition by providing a large range of ideas and approaches for City Council to select in attaining the City’s ultimate vision.  This includes specific ideas on building design, zoning standards, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, directional signs, landscape enhancement, and public art for a “downtown” atmosphere.  The Plan also strives to create and promote economic development, incentives, and funding opportunities.

The Vibrancy Plan was prepared by EMC Planning Group, Inc. in cooperation with City staff.  The City’s Vibrancy Plan was granted a 2020 “Award of Merit” by the American Planning Association, California Chapter for Economic Planning and Development.