Planning Division

Planning

Responsibilities

The Planning Division is responsible for the development and implementation of the General Plan, the Local Coastal Program, the Zoning Ordinance (Title 19 of the Imperial Beach Municipal Code), implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (Title 16 of the Municipal Code), and the Subdivision Regulations (Title 18). Additionally, it is responsible for the processing of land use entitlements, studies, and permits within the City and providing technical information and coordination of land use plans with other City departments and outside agencies including the provision of planning and technical support to the City Council, the Tidelands Advisory Committee, and the Design Review Board.

Planning Division Submittals

The City of Imperial Beach has moved to a new entirely online permit processing system. To apply for all planning development permits, applicants must first create a Citizen Self-Service Account in the Citizen Self-Service (CSS) portal. Additionally, see instructions on how to create a CSS Account (PDF), if needed.

  1. When would I contact the Planning Division?
  2. Do I need a coastal permit?
  3. What is the zoning of my property?
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Contact Us

  1. Reyna Ayala, AICP

    City Planner/Management Associate
    Email Reyna Ayala
    More Information

  1. Ryan Pua

    Associate Planner
    Email Ryan Pua
    More Information

  1. James Philipps

    Building & Planning Technician
    Email James Philipps
    More Information

Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA-23-0001)

The City Council previously approved a Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA-23-0001) to amend the City’s Zoning ordinance, specifically Title 19 (Zoning) to permit permanent supportive housing and low barrier navigation centers as required by state law, and to update the City’s density bonus to reflect changes in state law. 

Ordinance No. 2023-1225 (to permit permanent supportive housing and low barrier navigation centers as required by state law) was initially adopted and approved by the City Council on April 19, 2023. Ordinance No. 2024-1251 (to update the city’s density bonus to reflect changes in state law) was initially adopted and approved by the City Council on November 20, 2024.

Since adoption, the Ordinances have been reviewed by the California Coastal Commission. As part of that review, the California Coastal Commission requested that City Staff consolidate both Ordinances (Exhibit A) into a single document. This request from the California Coastal Commission required clerical revisions to Ordinance 2023-1225 and Ordinance No. 2024-1251 previously reviewed and approved by the City Council. In addition, the amendments update Government Code references and revise the numbering of zoning code definitions in the Council-adopted ordinances.

The requested revisions by the California Coastal Commission were not substantive. Both Ordinances required California Coastal Commission approval prior to taking effect.

On May 7, 2025, the California Coastal Commission approved the above-described Local Coastal Program (LCPA-23-0001) amendment request with the clerical revisions to the Ordinances discussed above.

LCPA-23-0001 Ordinances Notice of Public Hearing 120325

(Proposed Changes) Ordinance 2023-1225 and 2024-1251 Strike-out

Ordinance No. 2023-1225 - initially adopted and approved by the City Council on April 19, 2023

Ordinance No. 2024-1251 - initially adopted and approved by the City Council on November 20, 2024

Documents

  1. General Plan LCP Updated 2024
  2. Design Review Guidelines and Addendum (PDF)
  3. Imperial Beach Traffic Impact Guidelines
  4. The Big Picture (PDF)
  5. 2008 Bicycle Transportation Plan (PDF)
  6. 2005 Eco-Tourism Study (PDF)
  7. The Bigger Picture (2022)

Public Review Documents

  1. Bayside Community Resiliency Notice of Preparation