The county’s zoning code includes provisions to protect environmentally sensitive habitats in coastal zones. It identifies environmentally sensitive habitat areas as coastal areas, wetlands and estuaries, riparian areas, dunes, pygmy forests, and areas of vegetation and habitats. It specifies development application procedures and development criteria like buffer areas (§20.496.010 et seq.).
The county’s zoning code protects highly scenic areas through development criteria. It includes a list of all highly scenic areas and guidance to determine if a project is within a highly scenic area (§20.504.015). Development criteria for projects within highly scenic areas aim to protect of coastal views from public areas by implementing strategies like height limitations, building materials restrictions, and siting standards. Additionally, it contains methods to minimize visual impacts on hillsides, terraces, and ridges.