Planning
The Planning Division coordinates development review and ensures compliance with State law, the Benicia General Plan and the city's adopted land use regulations.
The work of the Planning Division also includes:
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Helping the community with land use questions, including zoning, permits and historic preservation.
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Implementing and maintaining the Benicia General Plan, including related code updates, studies and projects.
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Providing liaison support to the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Review Commission.
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Contact
Need assistance with questions about land use, zoning, historic preservation or your home based business? Planning Division staff are here to help. Not sure if this is a question for the Planning Division? Check this useful city permitting flow chart to learn more.
EMAIL: For quickest response, please send an email to planning@ci.benicia.ca.us. Providing detailed information about your request and key contact information will allow us to best assist you.
PHONE: You may call the Planning Division at 707-746-4301. Staff will answer calls in the order they are received. Because staff are often on the phone assisting other customers, you may be asked to leave a voice message. We will make every effort to respond within one working day.
APPOINTMENTS: We are available to our community for virtual or in-person meetings. Appointments are available during business hours from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Walk-in services are not available.
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Important to know:
- When making your appointment, please select whether you prefer in person or virtual.
- Please indicate whether you need accommodations so that we may reserve the appropriate room and equipment to serve you best.
- To ensure that we are providing the best service, please clearly describe the information that is needed.
Virtual Appointments use the Microsoft Teams app. If you do not want to download the app, you may join the call in your web browser.
The City’s Permit Services Center is fully virtual. In-Person meetings can be scheduled for technical assistance, payments and document viewing. The City does not accept paper submittal of applications, plans or other related permit documents.
Learn More
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Active Development Applications: Information about development applications currently active in the City.
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Address Assignment: Information about addressing policies and procedures
Cannabis Program: Information about cannabis permitting.
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Commercial Streamlining: Information about zoning changes to update and simplify requirements.
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Current and Past Projects: Information about past and present projects in the City.
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Historic Preservation: Information about Benicia's historic districts, historic buildings, and design review process.
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Rose Estates: Information about a development application filed on March 12, 2024.
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Short-Term Rentals: Licensing requirements for short-term vacation rentals.
- Signs Information: Information about planning sign projects, permit application, exemptions and more.
Housing
- Accessory Dwelling Units: Information about the City's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules and permitting process.
- Housing Webpage: Comprehensive resource for City of Benicia housing information
- Housing Element: The current update to the Housing Element will guide housing development in Benicia in the 2023-2031 planning period.
- Prohousing Designation: Learn more about Prohousing Designation from the State Department of Housing and Community Development.
Permit Center
Applications, plans, and documents can only be submitted electronically on the City of Benicia's Permit Center. Permit Center submittals will not be processed on weekends, holidays, and City Hall closures. Submittals after 3:00 PM will not begin processing until the following business day.
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