The county’s Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) permitting processes may not apply to your project if your property already has a completed gopher inspection. Depending on the result of your completed gopher inspection, your permit application may be processed using the regulations in effect at the time gopher inspection was completed.

• Negative Inspection Results: No Gophers. 
  You might not be required to use the county’s HCP permit process if your property had a fully completed gopher inspection with an approved negative screening result meeting the criteria below.
  • A Critical area Determination was issued in the past three years.
  • The development permit/authorization remains valid and there are no changes to the site plan approved. 

• Positive Inspection Results: Occupied 
  Your permit application will be processed with the county’s HCP regulations if your completed gopher inspection showed the property as occupied– even if another inspection showed a different result. Under the federal permit issued to the county after its HCP was approved July 1, 2022, all previous county agreements, exemptions, extensions, allowances for additional site surveys, or new results are invalidated.
   
• Properties Not Inspected
  If your property was not yet inspected, go to HCP Permitting to learn more about the HCP permitting process.

Where to Find More Regulatory Details

You can find detailed requirements in the HCP ordinance and document linked below. 

• The Draft HCP Ordinance Chapter 17.40 Section 17.40.020
• The HCP document (PDF) Section 7.3.1, at the end of the section, in the final paragraph, and in the second bullet below the final paragraph. 

How to Contact Us

Find contact information under the Inspections header on the Contact Us page if you have questions about your specific property or application.