Sierra County Planning Department

It is the responsibility of the Planning Department to administer and enforce the rules and regulations of the zoning ordinances

Those documents are stored in the Planning Department in Downieville and are available for viewing upon request.

Sierra County does not currently have a current, countywide Zoning Map or Zoning Plan as a GIS layer or other "official" digital map.

However, these "hard copy" maps do not reflect all subsequent rezones (or zone changes/amendments) since 1973.

Each entitlement application submitted to our office is required to have the following forms and information included in the packet before it will be deemed complete by the Planning Department.

Once an application has been accepted, planning staff will conduct a preliminary review of the submission. Within 30 days a letter will be sent to the applicant, notifying whether the submission is complete or incomplete, and requesting a deposit for the estimated application processing fees and detailing additional information if necessary. Processing begins once the application is deemed complete and the fees are collected.

The staff recommendation is presented in a public hearing before the Planning Commission which will make a for determination to approve or deny the application. The Planning Commission may approve, approve subject conditions, or deny the application. Any decision by the Planning Commission may be appealed to the Board of Supervisors. Processing time and fees differ based on the type of application. For more information, please contact us.

Conditional Use Permit Application

Admin Variance Application

General Plan Amendment Application