Transfer of Development Credits in the Malibu Coastal Zone/Santa Monica Mountains, California

Abstract

In 1979, in order to mitigate the increased densities from new subdivisions, the Coastal Commission developed and implemented through its permitting authority, a transfer of development credits (TDCs) program for the Los Angels County portion of the Santa Monica Mountains, including the area now within the City of Malibu. The TDCs program requires that for each new lot created under an approved subdivision, the applicant must extinguish, or retire, the development potential of existing lot. This mechanism not only keeps the ultimate density in the overall region from increasing, but focuses development in the more suitable areas by retiring lots those areas less suitable for development-donor areas. This program was expanded to include parcels within significant watersheds and sensitive habitat area.