Planning Department

Green garden with pink flowers.

Welcome to the City of Orinda Planning Department


The City of Orinda Planning Department's Mission Statement - maintain and enhance the semi-rural residential character and the downtown village character of Orinda through responsive and solution oriented services to all segments of the community. We look forward to serving you!
The Planning Department provides professional and personalized service relative to the overall physical development of Orinda, consistent with the:

Property Development Standards

  1. 1.0 General Plan Introduction (PDF)
  2. 2.0 Land Use and Circulation (PDF)
  3. 4.0 Environmental Resources (PDF)
  4. 5.0 Growth Management Element (PDF)
  5. General Plan Figures (PDF)
  6. Hillside and Ridgeline Design Guidlines (PDF)

3.0 Housing Element (PDF)

  1. 1- Introduction Final April 21st (PDF)
  2. 2- Evaluation of 2013 HE Final April 21st (PDF)
  3. 3- Population Employment and Housing Characteristics Final April 21st (PDF)
  4. 4- Analysis of Housing Capacity Final April 21st (PDF)
  5. 5- Constraints to Housing Development Final April 21st (PDF)
  6. 6- Goals Objectives and Actions Final April 21st (PDF)
  7. City of Orinda HEAdopted Letter April 28, 2015 (PDF)
  8. TOC Acknowledgements April 21, 2015 (PDF)
  9. Transmittal letter to HCD April 30 , 2015 (PDF)
The Department strives for a permit process that is efficient and fair for applicants, and is consistent with community land use standards.

Responsibilities & Services


The Planning Department is responsible for the implementation of the City's General Plan and Development Code. The Department is also responsible for managing all land use entitlements in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and State Planning and Zoning laws.

The Planning Department services include:
  • Conditional Use Permits
  • General Plan/Development Code Amendments
  • Preparation of Initial Studies and EIR's
  • Site Plan Review
  • Subdivisions
  • Zoning Code Enforcement

Building Plan Check & Inspection


Building plan check and inspection services are provided through the Contra Costa County Community Department of Conservation and Development, located at:

Lamorinda Building Inspection Office
3685 Mt. Diablo Boulevard
Suite 120
Lafayette, CA 94549

Phone: 925-299-0263
Fax: 925-299-0134

Hours


Monday - Thursday
8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday
8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

You may visit their website at: Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development.