Land Use Element and Safety Element Draft Program Environmental Impact Report

The City of Ferndale is implementing a comprehensive update to its land use and safety frameworks to align with the 2024 General Plan Land Use Element and current State housing laws. This project involves the adoption of an Addendum to the certified Program Environmental Impact Report and amendments to the Ferndale Zoning Map for 31 parcels. The scope includes updating the Land Use and Safety Elements of the General Plan, with a specific focus on identifying risks from fires, floods, earthquakes, and landslides, as well as addressing climate change and emergency evacuation routes per SB 375. The project emphasizes infill principles to accommodate growth within existing city boundaries by increasing land use density and updating development standards to comply with the 6th Cycle Housing Element. Key regulatory changes include the removal of obsolete zones such as RS, R4, and CAG, and the updating of R2 and R3 residential zones to permit multiple dwellings. Commercial zones C1 and C2 are being amended to allow residential uses by right above the ground floor and via use permit on the ground floor. Additionally, the project introduces revised definitions for employee housing, dwellings, and family, establishes flag lot standards, and implements new objective design criteria. These updates are designed to support the implementation of the Housing Element and reflect current land use needs across the City of Ferndale. The project was officially approved on August 20, 2025, with a determination that it will not have a significant environmental effect.