Community Development

The Community Development Department is responsible for land use planning, implementation and maintenance of the Zoning Ordinance and General Plan, overseeing housing programs, facilitating the land use entitlement process, including staffing for the Planning Commission, and protecting public safety, health and welfare through the effective administration and enforcement of local ordinances and the California Building Codes.

The Community Development Department consists of the Building Division and Planning Division, whose primary functions include advising members of the public and the development community regarding applicable zoning and building codes, application requirements, and related processes; reviewing and processing applications for planning and building permits to ensure compliance with State and local codes; drafting new land use policies and regulations; implementing housing programs; conducting site inspections to ensure compliance with plans and applicable requirements; support resolution of code enforcement cases in partnership with Code Enforcement staff; and facilitating public discussion and comment related to land use and building matters. Staff also regularly meets with residents, businesses, contractors, and developers to mediate issues and resolve problems that arise during the development process.

• Prepared the Town’s Housing Element 6th cycle update, including identifying actions, programs and policies to address housing needs and affirmatively further fair housing, identifying adequate sites to accommodate 700+ units, and completed environmental review and rezoning ordinances within the timeframes required by state law.
• Continued availability of permitting online/electronically for customers seeking to schedule inspections, review permit history, pay fees, and apply for permits digitally to allow Corte Madera community to more efficiently interface with Town staff through the permit process.
• Adopted 2022 California Building Standards Code to reflect the most recent triennial amendments to model code, with local amendments, including regulations that preclude the installation of natural gas infrastructure and appliances in newly constructed buildings.
• Dramatically expanded hours staff are available to meet with public at Town Hall; greatest staff availability for community in at least 10 years.
• Issued 886 building permits in Calendar Year (CY) 2022, a one-year increase of 7.26% and a three-year increase of 31.26%. Received 903 building permit applications in CY 2022, a one-year decrease of 1.85% and a three-year increase of 28.27%.
• Hired a permanent in-house Building Inspector/Plans Examiner with experience and qualities in line with Town vision and values, improving the ability to provide high quality, greater-volume inspection services and removing the need for third party contractor services.
• Refined numerous building permit policies in order to further clarify and streamline regulatory processes.
• Developed Permanent Ordinance for SB9 Urban Lot Splits and Two-Unit Developments (Chapter 18.31A)
• Together with the Administration Department, began the process of digitizing Town records across all departments – all property file microfiche has been digitized and is now available on Laserfiche.

• Finalize the update to the Town’s Housing and Safety Elements and hold public hearings at the Planning Commission and Town Council for formal adoption of the updated elements.
• Implement identified programs in the Housing Element – publicize and communicate to Town residents the available homebuyer, rental assistance, home rehab programs and anti-discrimination laws.
• Continue to improve the quality of permit software overall function and use including public interface features, internal workflow tasks, reporting, navigation, and training of available tools.
• Continue to support efforts to digitize Town records across all departments to integrate with existing Laserfiche.
• Complete reorganization of Community Development Department, including hiring a Building Official and Community Development Director.
• Continue the ability of in-house Plan Reviewer and Permit Technician staff to review and issue simple project permits in order to increase efficiency and turnaround times.
• Continue to provide staff implementation support to major Town-sponsored initiatives including Climate Adaptation and Action initiatives, and Town Projects.
• Develop ordinance for Council consideration regarding increased energy efficiency and electrification standards (i.e. reach codes)
• Propose zoning ordinance amendments related to thresholds for design review permits, clarifications of development standards and streamlining of applications seeking to raise homes out of flood plain.
• Update Town’s fee resolution for building, planning and public works permits.
• Continue to improve coordinated enforcement of Town building requirements and compliance with approved planning permits.
• Develop permanent parklet regulations for businesses at Old Corte Madera Square and consider new regulations for gyms.
• Develop short-term rental regulations.
• Update the Town’s Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations consistent with new state law.
• Establish enhanced public noticing standards for large projects.

The Planning Division utilizes contract planners on an ad hoc basis to expand capacity to manage special or specific projects that would otherwise disproportionately impact staff time and ability to accomplish core responsibilities.

The Building Division continues to contract the majority of Building Plan Review services. The department contracts with an In-house Plans Examiner (2 days/week) and sends out complicated building code plan reviews to third party contractors to supplement current workload. The Building Division no longer contracts for building inspection services due to the hiring of a new Town employee.