The California Coastal Commission has jurisdiction over land use projects within the Coastal Zone. However, the Coastal Commission will transfer most permitting authority to local jurisdictions if they obtain a certified Local Coastal Program.

The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is located entirely within the boundary of the coastal zone and has a Local Coastal Program (LCP) that was certified by the Coastal Commission in 2004. The LCP consists of a Land Use Plan (LUP) and an Implementation Plan (IP).

The LUP includes the following General Plan Elements:

• Land Use and Community Character
• Circulation
• Coastal Access and Recreation
• Coastal Resource Management

The IP includes the following:

• Carmel Municipal Code Chapter 17
• Appendix A: Shoreline Management Plan
• Appendix B: Significant Tree Evaluation Worksheet
• Appendix C: Residential Design Guidelines – Concept Review
• Appendix D: Residential Design Guidelines - Final Review
• Appendix E: Commercial Design Guidelines
• Appendix F: Public Way Design Guidelines
• Appendix G: Archaeological Resource Management Reports (ARMR)
• Appendix H: Storm Water Standards and Programs
• Appendix I: Secretary of the Interior’s Standards