Marin LAFCO, CA

Is LAFCO required to comply with CEQA?: Yes, LAFCO must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) when acting on boundary change proposals. For more information, view CEQA Guidelines.

▼
Marin Local Agency Formation Commission

1. What is LAFCO?: LAFCO stands for Local Agency Formation Commission. LAFCOs were created in each county in California by the State Legislature in 1963 to discourage urban sprawl, preserve agricultural land resources and encourage the orderly formation and development of local government agencies. The law that governs LAFCO is known as the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000. Learn more about the CHK Act Legislation.

2. What does LAFCO do?: Learn more about what LAFCO does by visiting our LAFCO Responsibilities Page.

3. Is LAFCO required to comply with CEQA?: Yes, LAFCO must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) when acting on boundary change proposals. For more information, view CEQA Guidelines.

4. Who are the members of LAFCO?: Marin LAFCO is a seven-member Commission, comprised of two county supervisors, two city council members, two independent special district members and one member of the public. Each category has an alternate member.

5. How are commissioners elected?: The County Board of Supervisors chooses two of its members and an alternate to serve on LAFCO. The Council of Mayors chooses two city council members and an alternate to serve on LAFCO. The two special district members and alternate are elected by vote of the Marin independent special districts. The public member and alternate apply and are chosen by the LAFCO Commissioners.

For more information, view Chapter 2, Section 1 of the Policies and Procedures Handbook (PDF).

6. When and where does the Commission meet?: The Marin LAFCO Commission meets on the 2nd Thursday of the even months at 7 p.m. The meetings are held at:
San Rafael City Council Chambers
1400 5th Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94903

LAFCO reviews:

8. What are the basic steps in the Boundary Change Process?: Learn more by visiting our Boundary Change Process Page.

9. How do I apply for a boundary change?: Learn more by visiting our Boundary Change Application Page.

10. Is there a fee to apply for boundary changes?: Yes. Please consult with the LAFCO Executive Officer or the current fee schedule. The preparation of map and legal description by a qualified surveyor or civil engineer also represent costs to the applicant but are not included in the LAFCO fees.

View the Fee Schedule (PDF)

11. How do I arrange for preparation of a map and legal description?: Maps and legal descriptions used in LAFCO applications must be prepared by a qualified surveyor or civil engineer.

12. How long will it take to process my proposals?: The timelines permitted for each step in the application process under the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act allow for broad variation in processing time. In practical terms, depending upon the nature of the proposal, processing can take as little as 3 to 4 months after submission of completed application materials, or more than a year for more complex proposals.

13. Can I appeal a LAFCO decision?: The Commission makes decisions on boundaries and organization of local government with the authority of the State Legislature applied at the local level. Except for the reconsideration and protest steps built into the LAFCO process, there is no appeal process for a Commission decision. LAFCO decisions are not subject to initiative or referendum.

Judicial review of LAFCO decisions is only granted in cases of abuse of the Commission's discretion or if the Commission's actions are shown to be arbitrary and capricious. We don't act that way.

14. What is a sphere of influence?: A sphere of influence is defined as "...a plan for the probable physical boundaries and service area of a local agency as determined by the commission." Adopted spheres of influence are a key factor used by LAFCO in consideration of boundary proposals. The Commission may only approve proposals that are consistent with adopted spheres of influence.

Learn more by reading Chapter IV of our Policies and Procedures Handbook (PDF).

15. Can a sphere of influence be changed?: Yes. LAFCO is required to review spheres of influence every five years. In addition, any interested party may apply for an amendment to a sphere.

Learn more by reading Chapter IV, Section 4 of our Policies and Procedures Handbook (PDF).