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A Message from the Planning Manager
Welcome to the Planning Division home page, I hope you find our revised home page more "user friendly". We have added additional information regarding the many exciting new projects in La Habra that have been recently approved or are in the review process. We have rearranged our information in a way that makes it easier to use. The goal of the Planning staff is to provide you with as much information as possible to help you with designing your projects, be large or small. I encourage you to call me or my staff of friendly, helpful planners if you have any questions regarding the planning process in La Habra. We want your project to be a success.
Sincerely,
Roy Ramsland
Planning Manager
Inclusionary Housing Ordinance
In April 2021, the City adopted an inclusionary housing ordinance to help meet the housing needs of the community and provide for more affordable housing. The ordinance provides that for projects with 10 or more units, the developer must set aside 15% of the total units or provide an equivalent in-lieu fee for housing affordable to households of very low, low, or moderate incomes. Inclusionary housing units at an affordable cost will implement the goals and objectives of the Housing Element update and help meet the city's regional share of housing needs.
Preparation of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Documents
All Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negtive Declaration and Environmental Impact Reports for projects proposed within the City of La Habra that are not exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act will be prepared by third party consultants contracted by the City and paid by the applicant.
Payment Options using Online Portal
The following credit card and check payment options are available for your electronic Planning permit applications and entitlements.
Please initiate the process by contacting the Planning Department at (562) 383-4100. Once you receive the invoice from the project planner, you may process your payment using our online payment portal. To initiate payment process:
- Type receipt number in the appropriate field and verify.
- When payment is complete you will receive a payment confirmation.
- Forward payment confirmation to the project planner.
- Staff will continue processing when payment confirmation is verified.
Credit Card must be Visa or Master Card, invoices exceeding $5,000 must be processed by check and delivered via mail or drop box only.
Check by Mail or Drop Box. Make checks payable to City of La Habra. Include a copy of the invoice and place in a sealed envelope to:
- Finance Dept.
- C/O Planning Department
- 110 E. La Habra Blvd.
- La Habra, CA 90631
Payments that do not include an invoice will not be processed.
Development Fees to Increase in August 2020
On June 1, 2020, the City Council approved an update to the Master Fee Schedule that will take effect on August 1, 2020. The fee increase will affect discretionary permits (Conditional Use Permits, Design Review, Zone Variance etc.) The Master Fee Schedule has been made available to view here: Master Fee Schedule (PDF)
Residential Landscape Water Efficiency Video
An informative video regarding the Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance has been created to assists homeowners visualize the City's guidelines and code requirements. Please click on the link to view:
La Habra Residential Landscape Water Efficiency video (YouTube).
Accessory Dwelling Units
Effective January 1, 2020 multiple new housing standards related to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have become law.
The City has adopted Urgency Ordinance 1813 to authorize ADUs consistent with State Law requirements.
Cannabis Distribution Facility Applications
The City Council has authorized up to four (4) Cannabis Distribution Facility permits subject to the requirements of Chapter 18.22 of the La Habra Municipal Code (Ordinance Number 1791 (PDF)). Directly below are links to:
Cannabis Business Application Submittal Guide (PDF)
Cannabis Business Permit Application Checklist (PDF)
Cannabis Business Permit Application (PDF)
Since there are only four available Cannabis Distribution Facility permits, the City will accept an initial round of applications between June 5 to July 5, 2018. If more than four applications are received, all submittals will be scored with the four highest applicants invited to proceed to the Development Agreement stage. All other applicants will be placed on a waitlist based on ranking should any Cannabis Distribution Facility permits become available.
If less than four applications are submitted during the initial phase, all other applications would be processed on a first come basis.
MX Mixed Use Overlay Zone
On April 15, 2019, the City Council approved Ordinance 1805 creating Chapter 18.54 MX Mixed Use Overlay Zone and rezoning certain properties throughout the City. A copy of Ordinance 1805 includes Exhibit A that contains a copy of the approved development standards associated with the MX Overlay zone.
View Ordinance 1805 - including the MX development standards
New Zoning Designations (R-5, R-6, R-7)
On March 18, 2019, the City Council approved Ordinance 1803 that established three new multi-family zoning designations in the City affecting approximately 91 parcels. In addition, changes were made to the multi-family development standards within the Municipal Code. The amendments
View LHMC Chapter 18.06 Land Uses (PDF)
View LHMC Chapter 18.26 R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6
Duties & Responsibilities
The Planning Division provides information regarding the City's zoning and land use regulations and development standards. The Planning Division coordinates with other City departments in the review of new development projects for regulatory compliance. The Division also analyzes projects and prepares and presents reports to the Planning Commission for its bimonthly meetings.
Other responsibilities include the creation and updating of maps for the public and all City departments including address and street maps, zoning maps