Planning for sea level rise to ensure resilient coastal communities is a high priority for local governments, the Coastal Commission, state and federal agencies and stakeholders. The intent of the Commission’s Draft Residential Adaptation Policy Guidance (Guidance) is to provide accessible information on sea level rise adaptation, and a suite of practical land use policy tools to help facilitate planning for resilient shorelines while protecting coastal resources in Local Coastal Programs.

Sea Level Rise Adaptation Guidance for Residential Development UPDATE (NOVEMBER 2019): Commission staff continue to work on the Draft Guidance (dated March 2018) and have also begun development of a companion guidance document specific to critical infrastructure as a type of development to consider for adaptation planning. As part of our outreach and educational efforts related to sea level rise adaptation, the Commission is hosting informational briefings on sea level rise vulnerabilities and adaptation issues at monthly Commission hearings. These briefings will continue into 2020 in support of providing opportunities for the Commission and the public to discuss sea level rise adaptation topics in advance of staff releasing a revised Residential Adaptation Guidance document for Commission consideration and adoption.

Public Comment

The second public comment period closed on April 30, 2018. Comments were submitted by email to ResidentialAdaptation@coastal.ca.gov or by US Mail to the address below:

California Coastal Commission
c/o Sea Level Rise Working Group
45 Fremont Street, Suite 2000
San Francisco, CA 94105

Stay Informed

Commission staff will be organizing additional outreach events in the future. Announcements will be shared via the Sea Level Rise Mailing List.

Events