2019 Housing Element - Implementation (ARCHIVAL)

These documents are archived and for reference only. If assistance is needed with accessing information from them, please contact planningbuilding@co.humboldt.ca.us or submit an Accessible Information Request Form.

2019 Housing Element Adopted Aug. 20 2019

The Housing Element was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on August 20, 2019. On October 23, 2019 the California Department of Housing and Community Development ("HCD") certified Humboldt County's 2019 Housing Element.

The files below make up the final Housing Element that was adopted at the August 20, 2019 Board of Supervisors hearing. It includes public input, revisions requested by the Planning Commission, HCD, and Legal Services of Northern California. The Element was adopted with minor revisions.

What is the Housing Element?

State law requires cities and counties to have housing elements as part of their general plans. The housing element identifies existing and projected housing needs and establishes goals, policies, standards and implementation measures for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing in the unincorporated areas of the county. Humboldt County’s Housing Element was last updated in 2019. The planning horizon for this Element extends to 2027.

Emergency Shelter Amendments

The Humboldt County Planning Commission recommended adoption of the draft Emergency Shelter Amendments at its September 15, 2022 meeting. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors adopted the draft Emergency Shelter Amendments at its meeting of July 11, 2023. The amendments implement the 2019 Housing Element through Implementation Measures H-IM54 and H-IM71, making changes in the zoning code to make it consistent with Government Code Section 65583(a)(4). Further approval from the Coastal Commission is required to adopt the Coastal Amendments.

Text updated September 30, 2025

Supportive and Transitional Housing Amendments

The Humboldt County Planning Commission recommended adoption of the draft Supportive and Transitional Housing Amendments at its October 20, 2022 meeting. he Humboldt County Board of Supervisors adopted the amendments at its meeting of July 11, 2023. The amendments implement the 2019 Housing Element through Implementation Measures H-IM51 and H-IM71, making changes in the zoning code to make it consistent with Government Code Section 65582, 65883, and 65650. Further approval from the Coastal Commission is required to adopt the Coastal Amendments.

Text updated September 30, 2025

Fee Deferrals for Affordable Housing, Emergency Shelters and Transitional and Supportive Housing

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will deliberate and consider adoption into the zoning regulations, a Fee Deferrals Ordinance for certain housing projects at an upcoming regular meeting in 2023. The meeting will be noticed and reported here when the date is determined.

Draft Fee Deferrals Ordinance

Text updated June 2, 2023

Safe Parking - Safe Shelter Pilot

More information on this topic can be found on the Safe Parking - Safe Shelter Pilot webpage.

Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors adopted the following ADU Ordinances and related amendments at its September 1, 2020 meeting, held virtually, and adopted the Coastal ADU Ordinance with modifications as certified by the Coastal Commission at its June 27, 2023 meeting.

Visit our Humboldt ADU page for information on how to plan, permit and build an Accessory Dwelling Unit.

Text last updated October 1, 2025

Link to Attend Board of Supervisors Meetings Virtually

From the county's meeting calendar, click on the agenda link at the right next to the Board meeting for the desired date. The meeting agenda contains the Zoom link for the meeting, and call-in instructions for public comment. A video link is available to watch the meeting without interaction.

Get Notifications

You can sign up for email or text notifications for Housing Element Implementation, including ordinances, code updates and other topics by visiting the Notify Me webpage.

Once there, sign in with your email. Then select “general plan implementation"  to receive updates on ordinance workshops, meetings, and notices.

  1. Background & Demographics

Topics Related to Housing

As part of Implementation, we are asking the public to consider several topics related to housing. Some may result in proposed ordinances or amendments. Some changes are mandated by state law, and some spring from recognized housing needs. All are open to public discussion and comment.

  1.  New allowances for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs); 
  2.  New allowances for Tiny Houses;
  3.  Facilitate and fund development of Emergency Shelters on parcels previously zoned for them;
  4.  Facilitate and fund transitional and supportive housing; and
  5.  Allowances for more Farm Employee Housing.

Broad public participation at all levels of the decision making process, including education, study, workshops, hearings, and plan revisions has been a major policy of Humboldt County since 1984 (1984 Framework Plan, Section 1231.4). Public participation continues to be a foundation of County government, as recognized in the 2017 General Plan (Section 2.8):

"The most successful land use planning process will provide for the education of the public. Knowledge of the process allows citizens to have meaningful access to the decision makers, evaluate alternative proposals, and make specific recommendations on hearing draft land use proposals."

How Can You Participate?

You are invited to help us update the Housing Element in several ways:

  • Sign up for notifications
  • Attend workshop(s)
  • Take our surveys
  • Submit written comments
  • Attend Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors hearings

Notifications

You can sign up for email or text notifications for the Housing Element update and other topics on the County’s website at: Notify Me.

Select “General Plan Implementation” for Housing Element workshops, meetings, and notices.

Surveys

As work on the Element progresses, interactive surveys and tools for public comment on specific topics will be incorporated into this and other websites. To receive notifications as surveys become available, sign up at Notify Me. Select "General Plan Implementation".

Written Comments

Please send written communications to: planningclerk@co.humboldt.ca.us 

All comments will be part of public record.

Contact Person for Housing Element

If you have questions about Humboldt County's 2019 Housing Element, please email Rodney Yandell: ryandell@co.humboldt.ca.us.