As authorized by the Municipal Code (Ch. 2.34, in PDF format), the "Planning Commission shall perform such duties as may be specified by ordinance or resolution of the City Council or by the laws of the State of California.  Further, the Planning Commission shall study and report to the City Council upon any matter referred to it by the City Council and shall keep the City Council currently advised of all matters pending, and shall furnish any special information, reports or materials which the City Council may request."  

The Planning Commission hears, renders determinations, and makes recommendations to the City Council on a variety of land use matters.  The Planning Commission is authorized to make a final determination on the following types of applications: Coastal Development, Major Use Permit, Tentative Map, Zoning Code Interpretation, Major Variance, and other applications as required by the Municipal Code.  The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the City Council on the following land use matters: General Plan Amendment, General Plan Interpretation, Zoning Code Amendment, Zoning Map Amendment, Specific Plan, and other applications as required by the Municipal Code.

The commission consists of five members, each representing one of the Community Planning Areas: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Leucadia, New Encinitas, Old Encinitas, and Olivenhain.  Planning Commissioners serve staggered two-year terms.

For more information or to reach the Planning Commission, please contact dgay@cityofencinitas.org.

Click on the links to jump to the Planning Commission Agendas and Minutes pages.

Regular meetings are held the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m.  You may contact the Planning Commission by writing in care of the Planning and Building Department, City of Encinitas, 505 S. Vulcan Avenue, Encinitas, CA 92024.