Coastal Development: Lincoln vs Rocklin
How do coastal development rules compare between Lincoln, CA and Rocklin, CA?
Lincoln and Rocklin have similar restriction levels.
Lincoln, CA
Placer County
Lincoln is an inland Sacramento-metro city in Placer County, approximately 90 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The California Coastal Act of 1976 (Pub. Res. Code §30000 et seq.) does not apply, and no California Coastal Commission Coastal Development Permit (CDP) is required for development in Lincoln.
View full Lincoln rules →Rocklin, CA
Placer County
Rocklin is an inland Sacramento-metro city in Placer County roughly 90 miles from the Pacific Ocean. It lies entirely outside the California Coastal Zone, so the California Coastal Act (Pub. Res. Code Div. 20, §30000 et seq.) and the Coastal Commission's coastal development permit (CDP) requirements do not apply within the city.
View full Rocklin rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lincoln | Rocklin |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Act applies? | No | No — Rocklin is outside the Coastal Zone |
| Distance to Pacific Ocean | ~90 miles | ≈90 miles (Sacramento-metro inland) |
| Coastal Commission jurisdiction? | No (Placer County is inland) | - |
| Wetland regulator | USACE §404 + Central Valley RWQCB §401 | - |
| Local rule to use instead | LMC Chapter 15.32 (Flood Damage Prevention) | - |
| Local Coastal Program (LCP) | - | None — not required |
| Coastal Development Permit (CDP) | - | Not required in Rocklin |
| Applicable creek/riparian rules | - | Rocklin MC Ch. 15.16/15.28/8.30; Cal. Fish & Game Code §1602; CWA §404 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lincoln FAQ
Do I need a Coastal Development Permit to build in Lincoln?
No. The California Coastal Act (Pub. Res. Code §30000 et seq.) only applies to the 15 coastal counties mapped by the California Coastal Commission. Placer County is an inland county and Lincoln sits about 90 miles east of the Pacific, well outside the Coastal Zone. You do not need a CDP, a Local Coastal Program consistency finding, or any Coastal Commission approval.
What rules apply if I want to build next to a Lincoln creek or wetland?
Floodplain rules in Lincoln Municipal Code Chapter 15.32 govern construction within FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (such as along Auburn Ravine, Markham Ravine, and Doty Ravine). Filling or dredging wetlands or other waters of the United States additionally requires a Clean Water Act §404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District plus a §401 water-quality certification from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Rocklin FAQ
Do I need a Coastal Commission permit to build in Rocklin?
No. Rocklin is well inland of the California Coastal Zone, so the Coastal Act (Pub. Res. Code §30000 et seq.) and CDPs do not apply. Use the City's standard building, grading (MC 15.28), and floodplain (MC 15.16) permits instead.
Are there any 'coastal' protections for Rocklin's creeks?
Not under the Coastal Act, but creeks like Antelope and Secret Ravine are protected by Rocklin's stormwater (Ch. 8.30) and floodplain (Ch. 15.16) ordinances, plus state Fish & Game Code §1602 streambed alteration agreements through CDFW.
Compare other topics
See how Lincoln and Rocklin compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool