Community Development

Community Development COVID-19 Response and Resources

Business Assistance:

Bilingual Small Business Assistance Hotline - (831) 758-7367 weekdays between 8:00am and 4:00pm, [email protected]. Click here for more information.

Business Resource Page (technical assistance, loan assistance, tax information, and more). En español.

Housing Response and Resources:

Increasing Protections for the Homeless

City of Salinas and Salvation Army Team-Up to Provide 225 Daily Meals to Homeless

ECHO Housing - Fair housing resources and counseling

Planning, Building, and Permit Center:

To continue serving the Salinas community and essential projects forward during the Covid-19 pandemic, staff will begin processing applications electronically. The process allows for electronic submittals to all Divisions within the Department. This is inclusive of new or resubmittals of Building Permits, Planning Entitlements, Code Enforcement Cases, Fire Permits and Engineering Permits. For more information on how to submit electronically, call 831-758-7251 or [email protected].

Staff is also able to issue and inspect all construction related permits. Construction, including workers who support operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects, including but not limited to surveyors and workers conducting site inspections. Construction shall comply with Social Distancing Requirements and the Construction Safety Protocol listed in Appendix B of the Monterey County Health Order.

Zoning/Current Planning - Email: [email protected]

Code Enforcement - Email: [email protected] or Phone: 831-758-7157

About the Department

The Community Development Department is committed to creating a safe, healthy, and prosperous Salinas through targeted revitalization and sustainable, well-designed land use and development. Department functions include planning, permitting, management of federal funding, housing production, code enforcement, and business development.

There are six divisions in the Department: Plan & Project Implementation, Advanced Planning, Current Planning, Permit Services, Code Enforcement, and Housing & Community Development.

Core Values

We believe in efficient customer service and citizen engagement
We believe that economic vitality is important to community development
We believe in integrity, mutual respect, courtesy and dignity
We believe in innovation and teamwork

Community Development Divisions

Community Development Plans and Projects

Accomplishments

In 2015, the department:

Served 11,289 customers and issued 5,156 permits with a valuation over $74 million
Addressed 969 code complaints
Completed the Housing Element, praised by the State as a model for other cities
Funded 20 public services agencies that provide critical programming to over 1,900 youth, seniors, and homeless
Preserved 40 affordable housing units and assisted in funding 41 new affordable senior housing units
Provided over $1 million in loans for the expansion of four businesses, creating 55 jobs

What We Are Working On

Advancement of our Economic Prosperity through:

Adoption of the Economic Development Element
Development of the Alisal Vibrancy Plan including the Alisal Marketplace
Creation of a plan for Chinatown’s revitalization
Facilitation of the development of the Future Growth Area including nearly 12,000 housing units
- The West Area Specific Plan (WASP) with 4,340 housing units
- The Central Area Specific Plan (CASP) with over 3,900 housing units
  - Click here for the 10/14/2020 CASP Virtual Community Meeting Recording
Implementation of the Downtown Vibrancy Plan
Continued enhancements to streamline the permitting process
Support to foster small businesses growth

Proactive, comprehensive code enforcement that fosters safe, livable neighborhoods.

Creation of a well-planned city with a high quality of life through:

Ensuring a complete count for the 2020 Census, which designates funding for almost all federal programs
The update of the General Plan, the City’s blueprint for our future
Implementation of the Housing Element with a focus on housing production
Continued collaboration with the County and Social Service Providers to address the needs of the Homeless

What's Happening for Community Development

Fences, Walls, and Hedges

Fence, wall, and hedge regulations strive to encourage variety and flexibility in design, development, and maintenance to allow increased use of yard areas, as well as to limit the height to maintain clear site distances. Height is regulated depending on where the fence, wall, or hedge is located on the property.

Height Measurement. The maximum height of fences, walls, and hedges in required yards (See Figure 37-50.20 ).

Front yards: three feet;
Corner side yards:
1. Within ten feet of a corner side property line: three feet, or
2. If

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Zoning Code Design Standards

Thinking of an exterior home remodel or a second story addition?

Here are a few helpful guidelines:

The height and scale of second story additions should not overwhelm neighboring dwelling units with disproportionate size
Proposed second story additions need to consider window, and balcony placement to avoid privacy issues with adjacent dwelling units
New single-family dwelling units located on a vacant or to be demolished lot or 2nd story additions to existing single-family dwelling units that are zoned Residential Low Density (R-L-5.5) are subject to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for

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Vendor Ordinance and Zoning Code Amendment

City Staff continues to assist existing and potentially new Food Truck vendors with understanding the changes to the Vendor Ordinance and Zoning Code Amendment that go into effect on Friday, October 22, 2021. The City's Community Development Department and Business Navigator, Development Engineering, and Code Enforcement have held multiple engagement meetings to help vendors understand the changes and new options to continue to operate or to start a Food Truck business.

The three (3) new Food Truck vendor options are:

Option 1

Designated Location (52 locations)

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Final Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain

March 10, 2023

To: All interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals

This is to give notice that the City of Salinas as the Responsible Entity under Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded under the State of California Homekey Program initiative under HUD Grant CDFA 14.871 Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Project Based Vouchers (PBV) (25 years).

The Homekey...

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Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds

March 10, 2023

Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds

Date of Notice: March 10, 2023

Name of Responsible Entity: City of Salinas

Address: 200 Lincoln Ave, Salinas, CA 93901

Telephone Number: (831) 758-7334

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Salinas.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about April 11, 2023 the City of Salinas will submit a request to HUD for the release...

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Welcome Home, Mr. Roberts!

February 3, 2023

Robert (a.k.a., "Mr. Roberts") has been homeless in the City of Salinas since 2015. The Salinas Outreach and Response Team (SORT) began engaging with Mr. Roberts in 2021, building rapport. In September 2022, he requested support and since then, Mr. Roberts has received intensive case management services from SORT. Several community providers worked together to achieve what felt like the impossible due to complex needs. Thanks to the lead efforts of the SORT team, Coalition of Homeless Services Providers, Dorothy's Drop In Center, Closer Walk, Access Support Network, Victory Mission, and Natividad Medical Center,...

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