Does Your Home Addition Need Coastal Commission Approval? Here’s How It Works
If you live near the coast in San Diego and you’re planning a home addition, you might be wondering whether you’ll need Coastal Commission approval. The answer? Maybe.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works and how to find out what applies to your property.
What Is the Coastal Commission?
The California Coastal Commission is a state agency that oversees development along California’s coastline. Their goal is to protect public access, natural resources, and the scenic integrity of coastal areas.
They have authority over what’s called the Coastal Zone, which includes much of the San Diego coastline and sometimes even areas you wouldn’t think of as “coastal.”
Is Your Property in the Coastal Zone?
First things first: check if your home is located in the Coastal Zone. You can use this Coastal Zone map or contact your local planning department to confirm.
If you are in the Coastal Zone, your home addition might need a Coastal Development Permit (CDP)—either from your city or directly from the Coastal Commission, depending on the area.
When Do You Need Coastal Commission Approval?
Not all projects in the Coastal Zone need direct approval from the Commission. In many cases, the local city or county has what’s called a certified Local Coastal Program (LCP), which allows them to issue permits on the Commission’s behalf.
Here in San Diego, many areas fall under the City’s LCP. But there are exceptions, including:
Homes near the bluffs
Projects that could impact public access or views
Environmentally sensitive areas (like wetlands or lagoons)
Areas with appeal rights or limited LCP authority
What’s the Process Like?
If your addition does require a Coastal Development Permit:
Check with your city planning department — they’ll let you know if your project falls under the LCP or needs Commission-level approval.
Submit plans and documentation — this typically includes site plans, renderings, environmental considerations, and neighbor notifications.
Wait for review and public comment — timelines can vary, and this part of the process often takes longer than standard permits.
Appeal, if needed — some decisions can be appealed to the Coastal Commission, especially if the project affects public resources.
Why It Matters
Skipping this step or failing to get proper approval can result in costly delays, fines, or having to undo completed work. It’s always better to confirm requirements upfront, especially for major remodels or second-story additions.
We Can Help
At Soho Construction, we specialize in navigating the permitting process for coastal projects, whether you’re adding a second story in Solana Beach or building an ADU in Encinitas. Our architecture and construction teams work together under one roof, so we’re used to handling tricky coastal regulations from day one.
Have questions about your home addition? Reach out! We’re happy to take a look and let you know what permits might apply to your property.