News Update (COVID-19)

The City of Martinez has declared a Local Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and City Hall remains closed to the public until further notice. However, the City is still processing permits and will issue emergency and essential building permits. Non-emergency permits can be processed so that approved permits can be issued as soon as possible once the shelter in place is lifted. If a public hearing is required for your project, it may be possible to hold a virtual hearing prior to the quarantine being lifted. This decision will be made by the Community and Economic Development Director on a case by case basis.

During this crisis, the city is only accepting permit applications by USPS mail or uploaded to the City’s Hightail account.  Application forms can be found in this link along with step-by-step instructions on how to submit Planning Permit applications during the COVID-19 quarantine.  Also included is information on allowable construction under the Contra Costa County Health Services March 31, 2020 order.  Payment instruction is found in the instruction link.

If you would like to request a Zoom appointment to revise plans, please email the City Planner at  dutyplanner@cityofmartinez.org.

The Planning Department develops and implements policy documents that guide land use in Martinez. The documents include but are not limited to the General Plan, The Downtown Plan as well as applicable sections of the municipal code. The staff also reviews development projects submitted to the city to ensure compliance with these policy documents.  Below are some helpful links for more information.

For more information, please contact the Planning Department at dutyplanner@cityofmartinez.org.

Major Projects

The City of Martinez is currently in the process of completing the following major projects.

Plan Documents

NEW General Plan (Draft) Updated version of the guiding policy for the City of Martinez.

General Plan A guiding policy for the City of Martinez.

Housing Element (2015 - 2023) Document included as part of the City of Martinez general plan which establishes housing objectives, policies and programs in response to community housing conditions and needs. Appendix A

Downtown Specific Plan A tool authorized by the California Government Code Sections 65450 – 65457 for the systematic implementation of the General Plan in a defined portion of a community’s planning area.

2019 Community-Based Transportation Plan (Draft) Updated version of the Community-Based Transportation Plan.

Community-Based Transportation Plan The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has allocated funds to develop CommunityBased Transportation Plans (CBTPs) for the Bay Area’s Communities of Concern, including Downtown Martinez.

Planning Ordinances

Zoning Ordinance The Zoning Ordinance is found in Title 22 of the Municipal Code. It contains specific requirements for new construction in Martinez. The Zoning Ordinance also establishes which land uses (types of businesses and residences) are allowed in each zoning district. The Zoning Ordinance is consistent with the General Plan and implements the goals and policies found in the General Plan.

Tree Protection Ordinance The Tree Protection Ordinance is found in Chapter 8.12. This Chapter governs preservation of certain protected trees in the City of Martinez. The purpose of this Chapter is to provide for protection of trees on private property by controlling tree removal while allowing for reasonable enjoyment of private property rights and property development.

Maps

The City of Martinez provides maps through CommunityView™ Maps, a Geographical Information System (GIS), which provides detailed information about properties from a geographic perspective. The GIS information provided by the City of Martinez is a public resource providing a visual display of general information for your convenience. The information displayed by CommunityView™ Maps is provided by Digital Map Products and is not maintained by the City of Martinez.

By entering a street address or an Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) in the search box, you can locate a particular property and view the following types of information such as Aerial Color Photography, City Boundary, Contours, DFIRM Flood Map and FIRM Panels, Downtown Overlay District, General Plan, Historic Overlay, District Parcel Information, Places of Interest, Property Lines, Sphere of Influence, Urban Limit Line, Zoning and Zoning Classification.

If you cannot access CommunityView™ Maps and need information about a property, please contact the City of Martinez at (925) 372-3500 or visit City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez.

Forms, Checklists and Fees
Start here to get started on new planning projects! 
Land use Forms
Fee Schedule

The Planning Department also serves as staff liaison for these two appointed bodies of the city: 
Planning Commission
Design Review Committee
And serves as the Zoning Administrator