Carson, CA Environmental Rules: Coastal Development (2026)

Under the California Coastal Act of 1976 (Pub. Res. Code §§30000 et seq.), the 'Coastal Zone' extends from the mean high tide line generally 1,000 yards inland in urban areas (up to 5 miles in significant habitat areas). Carson sits roughly 4-6 miles inland of San Pedro Bay; the coastal zone in this part of LA County runs through Wilmington, San Pedro, and Long Beach but does not reach Carson. As a result, no Coastal Development Permit (CDP) from the California Coastal Commission or from a city under a certified Local Coastal Program is required for development within Carson city limits. Carson is not listed among the cities with certified or in-progress Local Coastal Programs administered by the Coastal Commission. Within Carson, development is regulated by the city's own Zoning Code (CMC Article IX, Chapter 1) and Building Code (CMC Article 8 — adopting Title 24), plus state environmental review under CEQA (Pub. Res. Code §§21000 et seq.) for discretionary projects. Note: industrial expansions or infrastructure projects (e.g., refinery upgrades, port-serving facilities) that have offshore components or that connect directly to coastal-zone infrastructure may still face Coastal Commission review for the offshore/coastal portion, even though the Carson land-side portion does not require a CDP.