Application Number 261029 - Parking Signs

2026030163

Santa Cruz County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

3/4/2026

3/4/2026

Fernanda Dias Pini

County of Santa Cruz

Planner

Lead/Public Agency

701 Ocean St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

(831) 454-3901

fernanda.diaspini@santacruzcountyca.gov

No APN Specified

Panther Beach, Shark Fin Cove Beach, Davenport Beach, and Davenport Pier

Categorical Exemption

Section 15301(c), Section 15308

The project qualifies for an exemption pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (California Code of Regulations Title 14), Section 15061(b)(3), the “common sense” exemption, as it can be seen with certainty that no significant impact to the environment would occur. The project consists of the implementation of parking restrictions at existing paved and non-paved parking lots at four beaches along the North Coast between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., which would not result in physical changes to the environment, though installation of signs within existing paved and unpaved parking areas where other signage already exists would occur. CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1 categorical exemption consists of operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration to existing public or private structures that involve negligible or no expansion of existing uses. The project consists of the implementation of parking restrictions at existing paved and non-paved parking lots at four beaches along the North Coast between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., which require installation of new signage. New signage could be considered minor alterations to existing facilities. However, the project would result in a decrease in facility usage during specified hours and would not result in additional of new automobile lanes, parking spaces, or expansion of existing facilities. CEQA Guidelines Section 15308, Class 8 categorical exemption consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment. Past observations have revealed that Shark Fin Cove, Panther, Davenport, and Davenport Pier beaches experience the highest amount of degradation of all the beaches along the North Coastresulting in significant damage to natural resources, such as those associated with vandalism, trash accumulation, disposal of untreated human waste, and other illicit activities. The proposed parking restrictions would reduce deleterious impacts by implementing an enforcement mechanism in the target areas and constitute as regulatory action taken by the County to protect natural resources.

Other

Section 15061(b)(3),

The project qualifies for an exemption pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (California Code of Regulations Title 14), Section 15061(b)(3), the “common sense” exemption, as it can be seen with certainty that no significant impact to the environment would occur. The project consists of the implementation of parking restrictions at existing paved and non-paved parking lots at four beaches along the North Coast between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., which would not result in physical changes to the environment, though installation of signs within existing paved and CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1 categorical exemption consists of operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration to existing public or private structures that involve negligible or no expansion of existing uses. The project consists of the implementation of parking restrictions at existing paved and non-pavedparking lots at four beaches along the North Coast between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., which require installation of new signage. New signage could be considered minor alterations to existing facilities. However, the project would result in a decrease in facility usage during specified hours and would not result in additional of new automobile lanes, parking spaces, or expansion of existing facilities. CEQA Guidelines Section 15308, Class 8 categorical exemption consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment. Past observations have revealed that Shark Fin Cove, Panther, Davenport, and Davenport Pier beaches experience the highest amount of degradation of all the beaches along the North Coast resulting in significant damage to natural resources, such as those associated with vandalism, trash accumulation, disposal of untreated human waste, and other illicit activities. The proposed parking restrictions would reduce deleterious impacts by implementing an enforcement mechanism in the target areas and constitute as regulatory action taken by the County to protect natural resources.