FEE $736

Step 1: Come to the Planning Counter to discuss your proposal with Planning Staff.  You are required to participate in the Limited Notification process if you are requesting a Sign Code Exception with less than 10 percent deviation, Outdoor Dining under 400 square feet (excludes alcohol), Day Care Large Family, Eating and Drinking Establishment, Personal Enrichment in a lease space less than 2,500 square feet, or Carts & Kiosks on private commercial property (excluding Downtown).

Step 2: You must mail a notification of the intent to occupy a lease space specifying the use as stated above to property owners and tenants (see diagram below).  Mail the ten day review notice to the list of owners and tenants through the post office using a Certificate of Mailing as proof of mailing.  If labels are prepared and mailed by a bonded company a Certificate of Mailing is not necessary.  The initial review will last for ten-business days and starts when the Planning Department receives the proof of mailing, a copy of the notification letter you mailed to owners and tenants and a set your plans.  The ten day appeal period begins the next day after the initial review period ends.  Once the appeal period ends you will receive a Notice of Action letter from the Planning Department.  For your convenience, a notification letter is attached for your use.  Should you choose to draft your own letter it must include the following information:

a)  Name of applicant

b)  Location of proposed business or use, including address.

c)  Nature of business or use when applicable, the hours of operation, square footage of lease space and number of tables/chairs in the notice.

d)  Planning Department phone number and address of City Hall shall be provided in the notice to call for viewing plans.

e)  The date by which any comments must be received in writing by the Planning Department and the City appeal procedures.  The review period begins 1-2 days after mailing.

f)  Planning Department shall receive entire list including name and address of those receiving the mailing.

Step 3: At the time of submittal for building permit or Certificate of Occupancy, the applicant shall show the Building Department compliance with the Limited Notification requirements in the form of a “Notice of Action” letter from the Planning Department.  The application for building permit or Certificate of Occupancy will be rejected if the requirements are not met.

Questions regarding this process should be directed to the Zoning Counter at:

City of Huntington Beach, Department of Planning

2000 Main Street, P.O. Box 190, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 (714) 536-5271