The Community Development Department guides and facilitates projects and
development activities within the City. We strongly believe in providing
the highest standard of development to preserve the health, safety, general
welfare, and quality of life for all people who live, work, and visit Coalinga.
Our department is responsible for planning and building activity within the
City and for implementation of economic development plans and programs which
strengthen and diversify the economic base of Coalinga. The Community Development
Department provides support to the City Manager, Planning Commission and City Council.
The Community Development Department has the following divisions: Planning,
Engineering, Building, Code Enforcement and Economic Development.
Planning Division
The Planning Division of the Community Development Department maintains and
updates the City's General Plan, Annexation Projects, Zoning Ordinance,
Subdivision Ordinance, and other development related ordinances and regulations.
The Planning Division informs developers and business owners regarding the process
and requirements for constructing new projects in the City, and provides economic
development information such as population projections, median household income levels,
availability of commercial and industrial sites, and location of City infrastructure.
The Planning Division also processes applications for conditional use permits,
variances, general plan amendments, tentative subdivision maps, and zone changes for
private development projects in the City.
The City of Coalinga Zoning Ordinance includes a Zoning Map which divides the City into
various zones for residential, commercial, and industrial development. The ordinance
regulates not only the location of various types of land uses, but also outlines other
development requirements such as maximum building heights, building setback requirements,
intensity of use, and required off-street parking.
The division of land within the City of Coalinga is regulated by the City's Subdivision
Ordinance as contained in Title 9 of the Municipal Code, and by the State of California
Subdivision Map Act. The division of a parcel of land into two or more parcels is considered
a subdivision of land and is subject to compliance with the City's Subdivision Ordinance.
Information on the process and requirements for subdividing land may be obtained from the
Permits Division of the Community Development Department.
Building Division
The Building & Safety Division of the Community Development Department is responsible for the
administration and enforcement of the California building codes and related federal, state,
and City adopted laws and ordinances. This responsibility includes compliance with state
mandates assuring all structures meet or exceed the minimum life safety standards of codes,
laws, and ordinances.
The Building Division assures these standards are met by providing organized procedures
for reviewing and approving plans and specifications, issuing permits, and providing
building inspections.
Building Inspections are made during the construction phase of development by the City's
Building Inspectors. Periodic site visits are made to ensure that projects are proceeding
consistent with approved plans. To schedule a building inspection, please call 559-935-1533.
Before building construction can occur, plans must be prepared and submitted to the Permits
Division of the City's Community Development Department to be reviewed for compliance with
zoning regulations.
Engineering
The City of Coalinga contracts with the firm of Tri-City Engineering for its engineering
needs. Their firm consists of a staff of eighteen full-time engineers, computer-engineering
technicians, surveyors, and support office personnel with expertise in the areas of
wastewater, water, and public works.
Engineering services are provided for public and private construction projects during the
development phases, preparation of plans, and specifications on City improvement projects.
Consultants also assist the Public Services Department, Airport and the Wastewater Treatment
Plant with the implementation of systems consistent with regulations of city, state, and
federal codes.
Code Enforcement
The Code & Zone Enforcement Division of the Community Development Department provides
inspections, investigations, and compliance guidelines in the City for residential and
commercial code and zone violations. The focus is on the maintenance of neighborhood
and community assets, thereby assuring the health, safety, and welfare of residents
in all neighborhoods.
This division is also responsible for the City's Annual Weed Abatement Program.
Property owners are notified to remove weeds, trash, and other material that
constitutes a fire hazard. If a property owner fails to respond, the City performs
the weed abatement through a private contractor and assesses the property owner
for the incurred costs.
