Planning and Building

Planning Division

The purpose of the Planning and Community Development Division is to plan for and promote reasonable and productive long-term uses of land, which foster environmental protection and economic prosperity within the city. Solvang is a unique community with its historic past and its desire to preserve, protect and promote the Danish and Northern European architectural design theme so prevalent in the Downtown Village.

Staff Hours:

Monday through Thursday

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

We are closed on Fridays, except by appointment

Contact us to schedule an appointment 

CONTACT US

805-688-5575 ext. 220

Planningdept@cityofsolvang.com  

SUBMITTALS
The City of Solvang Planning Division is starting to accept electronic applications for signs and patio covers. Email the required materials to lscherman@cityofsolvang.com. All other development applications will need to be submitted by appointment.

Signs
A complete submittal packet includes the following:

Patio Covers
A complete submittal packet includes the following:

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Planning Commission Meetings are held the first Monday of each month. Click here for submittal deadlines: 2023 Planning Commission Meeting Dates.

Design Review Committee Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month. Click here for submittal deadlines: 2023 Design Review Committee Meeting Dates.

PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST
People contact us about obtaining documents pertaining to properties such as site plans or permits. Those items must be released through the public records request process. You can submit a public records request here: Make request - NextRequest - Modern FOIA & Public Records Request Software. We can release site plans without authorization from a licensed professional if the plans are not stamped by a licensed professional.

ZONING MAP
The zoning map is available here: 36x48 (cityofsolvang.com).

SHORT-TERM/VACATION RENTALS
Short-term/vacation rentals are only allowed in the following areas of Solvang:

  • Tourist Related Commercial (TRC) District
  • South side of Copenhagen Drive east of Fifth Street
    • 1506 Copenhagen Drive
    • 1510 Copenhagen Drive
    • 1514 Copenhagen Drive
    • 1518 Copenhagen Drive
    • 1522 Copenhagen Drive
    • 1524 Copenhagen Drive
    • 1532 Copenhagen Drive
    • 1540 Copenhagen Drive
    • 1546 Copenhagen Drive

Visit Section 11-12-30 of the Municipal Code for additional short-term/vacation rental regulations.

INFORMATION & SERVICES
The Division provides high quality zoning and planning information, and permitting services through a professional public process under policy direction of the City Council, the Planning Commission, and the Planning Manager.

Building Division

Due to COVID-19 transmission risks, the Building Division is open Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only. Please contact buildingdept@cityofsolvang.com to schedule an appointment for application submittals and/or permit issuance.

Staff Hours:

Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

   Meetings with the public are by appointment only       

  805-688-5575 ext. 240

Buildingdept@cityofsolvang.com

Electronic submittals are allowed for the following only:

  • Patio covers (Planning and Building reviews)
  • Signs (Planning and Building reviews)
  • Photovoltaic Systems (residential roof mounted only) (Building review)
  • FAU and/or AC applications
  • Water Heater applications
  • Residential electric meter upgrades
  • Residential reroof application
  • Sewer pipe replacement

All other applications must be submitted in person to Planning Department and Building Department.  Please contact the Planning Department at Planningdept@cityofsolvang.com for submittal requirements and appointment times. 

The master application may be found on our website at this link: Application for Project Review (PDF)

Building inspections occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.  Inspections may be requested by calling 24 hours in advance to 805-688-5575 ext. 237