Plan Morro Bay

Zoning Code / Coastal Implementation Plan Amendments, Zoning Map Amendment, and General Plan/LCP Land Use Plan Map Amendments (Title 17 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code)

On January 20th, 2026, the Planning Commission will hold a hearing to consider various amendments to the Zoning Code / Implementation Plan (IP), Title 17 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code, to reinstate a setback adjustment for sloping residential lots; reinstate a blufftop height limit on Front Street between Beach Street and Surf Street; clarifying the sign code’s standards for electronic changeable copy signs do not apply to message boards displaying time, temperate, or fuel prices; amending the City’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations to comply with State ADU law; and amending procedural requirements for amending the General Plan consistent with voter initiative A-24. Please see below for the public review drafts of the proposed zoning code amendments:

Zoning Code Update Certified by California Coastal Commission on March 15, 2024

The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to approve the City's Local Coastal Program (LCP) amendment of the Zoning Code/ Implementation Plan and related land use amendments on March 15, 2024. The changes to the Implementation Plan are now legally in effect.

Zoning Code Update Adopted by City Council (Ordinance 662) on December 13, 2023

On December 13, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance 662 which approved amendments to the City's 2022 Zoning Code/ Implementation Plan (IP) and related Land Use & Zoning Map amendments.

Final City Council adopted 2022 Zoning Code / Implementation Plan, certified by California Coastal Commission on March 15,2024

City Council 2022 Zoning Code/IP Amendments Adoption Hearing Draft (with track changes), November 2023

Adopted 2022 Zoning Map with amendments, November 2023

Adopted General Plan/LCP Land Use Plan Map with amendment, November 2023

Planning Commission Amendment Hearing Documents:

PC Amendment Draft Zoning Code/IP document with proposed edits shown (track changes)

PC Amendment Draft Zoning Code/IP document with proposed edits in clean formatting

Zoning Code Update Adopted by City Council (Ordinance 654) on November 22, 2022

On November 22, 2022, City Council adopted Ordinance 654 which repealed and replaced the Zoning Code (Title 17 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code) and Zoning Map. Ordinance 654 also includes miscellaneous amendments to update zoning language references in page 5-3 of the Waterfront Master Plan and Chapters 5.50, 5.60, 7.16, 8.32, 9.28, 10.60, 12.08, 12.12, 13.04, 13.20, 14.44, 14.42, 16.36, 16.40, and 16.48 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code. The comprehensive update of the Zoning Code/ Implementation Plan (Title 17 of the MBMC) is part of the Plan Morro Bay Project which implements the General Plan/LCP Coastal Land Use Plan.

A full copy of Ordinance 654 is also available in the office of the City Clerk at 595 Harbor Street, Morro Bay, California. The City Council staff report and attachments for the October 25, 2022 Adoption Hearing is available here. The November 22, 2022 staff report is available here.

Plan Morro Bay Project Documents:

Plan Morro Bay is the City's General Plan / Local Coastal Program (LCP) adopted by City Council on May 25, 2021 with the LCP certified by the California Coastal Commission on August 12, 2021.

Adopted Plan Morro Bay(General Plan / Local Coastal Plan) adopted by City Council on May 25, 2021 and certified by the California Coastal Commission by unanimous vote on Thursday August 12, 2021.

Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

Final Environmental Impact Reportcertified by City Council on May 25, 2021.
Appendices, includes Mitigation Monitoring & Reporting Program
Draft EIR for Plan Morro Bay (review period 10/19/20 - 12/4/2020).
Notice of Availability, 2020
Notice of Preparation, 2017

Technical Reports

Supporting Documents

Downtown Waterfront Strategic Plan (DWSP) adopted by City Council January 23, 2018.
Community Baseline Assessment, May 2017 final document
Vulnerability & Resilience Assessment, March 2017 final document
Key Issues & Policies Report, December 2016 final document
Vision & Values Statement, September 2016 final document
For other documents not listed here, please refer to the project documents page.

Funding Support

The City of Morro Bay acknowledges funding support by the Coastal Commission and Ocean Protection Council. In addition, the Plan Morro Bay Comprehensive LCP Update project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovate ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefitting residents of disadvantage communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.

General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) meetings and material

To view past agendas, staff reports, and presentations for Plan Morro Bay materials presented to the GPAC, either click the link to the left or click here.