FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, yes. Trinidad has Design Review requirements that apply when an addition or remodel will affect the external profile or appearance of an existing structure and/or grading that will change the existing elevation(s) by more than two feet. Design Review is not required for exterior painting and maintenance or for development that is exempt from a CDP pursuant to TMC § 17.72.070. (Also see TMC § 17.60.030.) Building permits are also required for most remodels and additions as well as many maintenance activities.  More information regarding Design Review can be found here

It depends on the size and location of the accessory structure. Most small accessory structures such as greenhouses, arbors, propane tanks, or patios do not need a permit. However, you need to ensure that you do not place structures or other impervious surfaces on top of your leachfield or septic tank, within Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHAs), or within 50 feet of the edge of a bluff. Accessory buildings that are greater than 120 sq. ft. in area and some larger or higher risk structures such as water tanks that hold more than 5,000 gallons or retaining walls over three feet in height require a building permit. Many of the types of structures that will require a building permit also require Design Review and/or a Coastal Development Permit. In addition, structures located in sensitive areas such as within 50 feet of a bluff edge or within ESHAs or unstable areas will likely require a CDP. It is advised that you call City Hall to inquire about your specific project.

Fences up to six feet high along interior rear and side property lines, and up to four feet in height along front or street side property lines are generally exempt from zoning setback and building permit requirements. For view-obscuring fences, there are additional height restrictions at street corners and where driveways meet the street to maintain vision clearance for safety. A fence over six feet high (or four feet) is subject to setback requirements from property lines and requires a building permit from the Building Official. The Building Official may approve fences over six feet along a property line if the adjoining property owner gives their written consent.  See TMC § 17.56.110 here

Retaining walls over three feet in height require an engineered design, a Coastal Development Permit/Design Review approval, and a Building Permit. Retaining walls up to three feet in height are exempt from these permit requirements.  

Tree removal involves numerous considerations including fire safety, neighborhood character, and protection of sensitive resources such as habitat. “Major vegetation removal” is considered “development” under the Coastal Act. Removal of trees greater than 12 inches in diameter requires a Coastal Development Permit from the City of Trinidad. Removal of smaller trees and vegetation may also constitute “major vegetation removal” particularly if it is native vegetation. For example, clearing an area greater than 500 sq. ft. of native vegetation is generally considered development. Removal of vegetation within an ESHA may not be allowed at all unless it poses a hazard. In addition, tree removal over an area of three acres or larger in size require timber harvest plans regulated by the state agency Cal Fire.

Permitting requirements for tree removal requirements depend on many factors. It is recommended that you contact the City prior to any tree removal.

Grading includes excavation or fill or a combination, including removal of ground cover and preparation work for paving or pouring concrete. A Grading Permit/CDP is required for projects that involve more than 50 cubic yards of fill/excavation (combined) or that covers more than 1,000 sq. ft. of surface area, as well as any grading within sensitive areas or outside of stable areas. Therefore, any new hardscape exceeding 1,000 sq. ft. in area would require a grading permit. 

In addition, Trinidad Bay and the surrounding waters are designated as an Area of Special Biological Significance / State Water Quality Protection Area. Any discharges into this area, including stormwater runoff, are heavily regulated. Therefore, the creation or replacement of more than 2,500 sq. ft. of impervious surface, other than reroofing, is also subject to the City’s stormwater ordinance. 

Finally, even if no permit is needed, grading, hardscape, and landscaping is not allowed to interfere with an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS).  A tank may be paved over as long as lids are still accessible and the tank is rated for traffic (if applicable).  However, placing impervious surfaces over the leachfield will negatively affect its treatment capability. Therefore, impervious surfaces are not allowed over leachfields.  In addition, roots of vegetation can grow into and interfere with any part of an OWTS.  Therefore, care must be taken when landscaping on or around your OWTS. 

Sometimes immediate actions are needed to prevent the loss of or damage to life, health, or property, or to restore services during and immediately following a natural disaster or serious accident. In these circumstances, the City may issue an emergency permit to conduct the minimum amount of work needed to alleviate the risk or restore service. A full permit application and approval process is still required after the work is completed. Additional studies or remedial action may be required as part of the permit process. 

For small scale projects such as new roofs or new electrical service, building permits can be issued within one week. For other larger scale projects, building permits usually take two to three months for a typical project, and follow seven basic steps.  Note that if a planning permit is required, that will need to be approved prior to obtaining a building permit. 

1. Application Submittal - At a minimum, a property owner submits a project description and plot plan to the Building Official for review. Complete construction plans are often submitted but not required at this step.
2. Preliminary Investigation – The Building Official will review the submittal for site suitability and other permit requirements. Application fees are collected at this time.
3. Pre-site Inspection - In coordination with the applicant, the Building Official visits the project site to confirm the features shown on the plot plan. The applicant is provided with a copy of the pre-site inspection report from the Building Official.
4. Referrals - Once the plot plan is complete and construction plans have been received, the application is sent to other reviewing agencies such as the Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health and Planning and Public Works staff.
5. Construction Plan Review - A Plan Checker reviews the construction plans for conformance with state building codes. This step often involves revisions to the construction plans.
6. Permit Issuance - After the referrals are returned by the reviewing agencies and construction plans have been approved, the permit may be issued to the applicant. Any final plan-check and permit issuance fees are collected at this time.
7. Inspections - During construction, the Building Official will regularly visit the project site to ensure conformance with the approved construction plans.

That will depend on the specific permit(s) required and the current workload of City staff. The absolute minimum amount of time for most projects is 10 weeks from the time a complete application is received. Applications must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the anticipated hearing date in order to allow enough time for staff to send out referrals and required notices and prepare the staff report. The Planning Commission meets on the third Wednesday of each month. After the project receives approval from the Planning Commission, there is a two-week local appeal period, and in most areas of the City there is also a two-week appeal period to the Coastal Commission after that. You can work on other requirements, such as your building permit application during the appeal period(s). We encourage potential applicants to contact staff prior to submitting an application to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. 

The City does not have an online permitting portal at this time. The easiest way to find out if you neighbor has permit is to call the City Clerk’s office and ask. Be sure to have the address and/or Assessor Parcel Number handy. Keep in mind that a permit is not required for all work. If you neighbor has applied for a planning permit such as a Coastal Development Permit (CDP), if your property is within approximately 150 feet of the project site, you will receive a public notice in the mail about 1.5 weeks prior to the hearing. Notices are also posted in three locations around town—at Town Hall, the Post Office, and Murphy’s Market. For CDPs, a notice must also be placed onsite. You can sign up for the City’s email newsletter to get information about upcoming meetings and public hearings. 

It means that you own property located within approximately 150 feet from another property on which a planning permit has been applied for. The public notice will include a brief description of the project as well as information on how to obtain additional information about the project and how and when to attend the public hearing or submit comments. 

At the public hearing, a staff planner will first summarize the project and key issues and answers any questions from Planning Commissioners.  Then the applicant (or appellant, in the case of an appeal) will have an opportunity to  speak on the matter. As a project applicant this is your opportunity to present your case to the decision makers. After the applicant speaks, anyone else in the audience can speak and then the applicant/appellant has the opportunity for rebuttal. The hearing is then closed. The decision-making body then discusses the issue and makes their decision.