Current Planning Division
About the Division
The Current Planning Division promotes a vibrant and sustainable Salinas by ensuring that development conforms to our General Plan and Zoning Code or any other applicable regulations and standards. Specifically, Current Planning is tasked with efficiently processing various applications including: General Plan and Zoning Code Amendments, Zone Variances, Planned Unit Development Permits, Tentative and Parcel Maps, Conditional Use Permits, Site Plan Reviews, Temporary Use of Land Permits, Home Occupation Permits, and Sign Permits. Staff also coordinate environmental evaluations (CEQA) for all development projects.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's)
For more information on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's), Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADU's), and the City of Salinas pre-approved (permit ready) plan sets, please visit the "Building an ADU in Salinas" webpage at this link.
Accomplishments
In 2015 the Division:
- Processed approximately 450 permits and planning entitlements
- Facilitated several key developments including the Northridge Mall and new JCPenney, Taylor Headquarters Building, Hampton Inn, Mission Tortilla, and Creekbridge Apartments
- Completed a 2015 update to the planning fees to achieve greater cost recovery
- Assisted approximately 2,400 customers at the public counter.
Planning Application Forms and Checklists
Development Review Application And Checklists - Fillable.pdf
- This is the application form for Site Plan Reviews, Conditional Use Permits, Minor Modifications, Amendments, Parcel Maps, and Master Sign Plans
Home Occupation Permit Fillable.pdf
Form Tulp Application - Fillable.pdf
- How to Obtain a Conditional Use Permit
- How to Obtain a Variance
- How to Obtain a Site Plan Review
- How to Obtain a Temporary Use of Land Permit
- How to Rezone and Amend the Zoning Code
- How to Amend the General Plan
- How to Access the Zoning Code Online
- Utility Sheds in Residential Districts
- Large Family Day Care Homes
- Sign Permits
- Standard Permit Conditions
- Landscape Requirements in Residential Neighborhoods
- Recreational Vehicle Storage in Residential Districts
- Prohibited Vehicles & Equipment in Residential Districts
- Facilities Traffic Management Plan
- Preliminary Project Review
- Parcel Map Submittal Checklist
- Tentative Map Submittal Checklist
- Lot line Adjustment or Lot Consolidation Submittal Checklist (4 Parcels or Less)
What We're Working On
Enhancement of Permit Center Operations to further Economic Prosperity through:
- Improved case management of key economic development projects to streamline review process.
- Reduction in time to process applications.
- Enhanced coordination between Permit Services, Code Enforcement, and Current Planning Staff in order to manage cases seamlessly through the process.
- Identification of challenges or issues with the existing General Plan and Zoning Code to eliminate barriers to healthy economic development.
2110 North Main Street Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (GPA 2022-003, RZ 2022-003, and CUP 2022-005)
2110 North Main Street Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (GPA 2022-003, RZ 2022-003, and CUP 2022-005)
The project site is located at 2110 North Main Street at the southeast corner of North Main Street and East Bolivar Street and includes the following applications:
- General Plan Amendment 2022-003 (GPA 2022-003); Request to change the General Plan designation of an approximately 8,349 square-foot eastern portion of a 18,880 square-foot lot located at 2110 North Main Street from “Residential Low Density” to “Retail”;
- Rezone 2022-003 (RZ 2022-003); Request to change Zoning designation of the above referenced 8,349 square-foot eastern portion of the project site from “Residential Low Density (R-L-5.5)” to “Commercial Retail (CR)”; and
- Conditional Use Permit 2022-005 (CUP 2022-005); Request to establish and operate an Extended Stay Hotel for 22 of 25 on-site rooms.
The project site is currently developed with an existing hotel/motel (Capitol Motel) which is estimated to have been constructed circa 1936 and is considered a legal non-conforming use pursuant to Zoning Code Section 37-50.160. The Applicant (Capitol Motel – Ray Patel) is requesting to establish and operate an Extended Stay Hotel for 22 of the 25 on-site rooms pursuant to Zoning Code Section 37-50.085 (Extended Stay for Hotel/Motel uses).
The site is split zoned with Commercial Retail (CR) along the western portion of the site and Residential Low Density (R-L-5.5) along the eastern portion of the site. Per the Zoning Code, Extended Stay Hotels located on Commercial Retail (CR) zoned land can be considered through the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process. However, in the Residential Low Density (R-L-5.5) Zoning District, Extended Stay Hotels are not permitted. Therefore, the applications have been submitted so that the General Plan and Zoning designations of the subject property are consistent with the western portion of the lot which are “Retail” and “Commercial Retail (CR)” respectively. Upon approval of the General Plan Amendment and Rezone, the proposed Extended Stay Hotel use can be approved through the CUP process.
Copies of the MND and Initial Study are available at the flowing locations: City of Salinas Community Development Department, 65 West Alisal Street and online at https://www.cityofsalinas.org/our-city-services/community-development/documents-public-review. Documents referenced in the MND are available for public review at City of Salinas Community Development Department. If you have any questions, please contact the project planner, Thomas Wiles, at (831) 758-7206 or at [email protected].
What's Happening for Current Planning Division
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:
- Within ten feet of a corner side property line: three feet, or
- If
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Zoning Code Design Standards

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 ...
Front Yard Parking

Parking in the front yard is only allowed on your legal paved driveway which provides direct access to required parking serving the site per Section 37-50.360(l). Maximum driveway: 10-feet wide for a one-car garage, 20-feet wide for a two-car garage, and 28-feet wide for a three-car garage per Section 37-50.450, Table 37-50.150. Any portion of the front yard that is not a legal driveway or separate walkway shall be landscaped per Section 37-50.690, Table 37-50.190. However, residential single family dwelling unit driveway's width may be increased to extend a maximum of ten (10) feet into...
Beautifying Salinas! The Three-tiers of Landscaping

Beautifying Salinas! The three-tiers of landscaping
Did you know that the City of Salinas Zoning Code has a three-tier landscaping requirement for landscaped areas? The three tiers are:
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grasses or groundcovers,
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shrubs, and
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trees.
The three tiers of landscaping requirement helps to
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provide a variety of species and varying textures of landscaping (such as flowering bushes, native grasses, and evergreen trees) that improve the public experience, increase beautification of
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Temporary Use of Land Permit (TULP)

A Temporary Use of Land Permit (TULP) is required for temporary activities, events, or signs, which occur on occasion but are not intended to become permanent. These types of temporary uses include, but are not limited to the following:
- Circuses and Carnivals,
- Farmer’s Markets,
- Outdoor Retail Sales, and
- Trade Fairs
Some keynotes to know about TULP’s:
- Zoning codes limit the use of TULPs based on sites ...
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Planning Application Forms & Checklist (PDFs)
Development Review Application & Submittal Checklist
Home Occupation Permit Application
How to Obtain a Conditional Use Permit
How to Obtain a Site Plan Review
How to Rezone and Amend the Zoning Code
Utility Sheds in Residential Districts
How to Obtain a Temporary Use of Land Permit+
How to Obtain a Temporary Use of Land Permit for Outdoor Seating due to Covid-19
Landscape Requirements in Residential Neighborhoods
Recreational Vehicle Storage in Residential Districts
Prohibited Vehicles & Equipment in Residential Districts
Facilities Traffic Management Plan
How to Access the Zoning Code Online
Parcel Map Submittal Checklist
Tentative Map Submittal Checklist
Lot line Adjustment or Lot Consolidation Submittal Checklist (4 Parcels or Less)
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Planning Information Bulletins
5 Utility Sheds.pdf
5 Utility Sheds.pdf (70.63 KB)
8 Sign Permits.pdf
8 Sign Permits.pdf (100.5 KB)
12 Historic Districts.pdf
12 Historic Districts.pdf (130.92 KB)
13 Submittal Checklist.pdf
13 Submittal Checklist.pdf (101.27 KB)
14 Historic Resources.pdf
14 Historic Resources.pdf (224.53 KB)
15 Home Occupations.pdf
15 Home Occupations.pdf (87.72 KB)