Zoning Administrator
Certain applications under the purview of the Planning Department are discretionary applications and require review and action by Plumas County’s Zoning Administrator. The role of the Zoning Administrator is assumed by Plumas County’s Planning Director. For more information call: Tracey Ferguson, AICP, Planning Director at (530) 283-6214.
Zoning Administrator meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month in the Planning and Building Services Conference Room located at 555 Main Street, Quincy.
The duties of the Zoning Administrator are to act as a hearing officer and take action on discretionary applications and projects. The types of applications requiring review and action by the Zoning Administrator are:
- Certificate of Compliance
- Extension of Time
- Modification Permit
- Permit to Mine/Reclamation Plan
- Planned Development Permit
- Reconsideration
- Site Development Permit
- Special Use Permit
- Tentative Map
- Variance
For more specific details on each type of application mentioned above, please visit the Planning Department’s Application and Handouts webpage.
After submitting an application to the Planning Department requiring review and action by the Zoning Administrator, the process generally involves the following:
- Planning staff opens a 30-day review period beginning from the date of application receipt, and then, based on the application and information submitted, Planning staff reviews the project and solicits comment from all departments and agencies affected by the project to determine if an application is complete.
- If the application is determined completely by Planning staff within the 30-day review period, a staff recommendation is prepared and a public hearing before the Zoning Administrator is scheduled for the next regularly scheduled meeting, while ensuring public noticing requirements are met. If a Negative Declaration or Environmental Impact Report is required as part of the staff recommendation, processing time may be as long as four to six months.
- At the public hearing, the Zoning Administrator will decide on the project, which may entail approval, conditional approval, or denial. Before the Zoning Administrator decides on the project at the public hearing, the project applicant (and/or representative of the project applicant) and the public will have an opportunity to comment on the project.
Decisions of the Zoning Administrator are appealable to the Plumas County Board of Supervisors. Appeals of the Zoning Administrator’s decision must be filed within 10 days from the date of the decision to be considered by the Board of Supervisors.
APPEAL CODE / FORM
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Zoning Administrator Agendas and Meeting Minutes
Agendas are available before the meetings:
Most Recent Agenda (PDF) | View All
Minutes are available following approval:
Most Recent Minutes (PDF) | View All
***
Regular Meeting of the Zoning Administrator on January 14, 2026 (10:00 am)
NOTE, ITEM WAS HEARD ON NOVEMBER 6, 2025, AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CONTINUED TO THE MEETING OF DECEMBER 10, 2025, WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY CONTINUED TO JANUARY 14, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING –The Plumas County Planning Department received a Variance (V 8-25/26-02) application for a telecommunications facility on a parcel zoned Rural (“R-10”) to allow an increase in the height limit from thirty-five (35) feet to one hundred twenty-nine (129) feet. The proposed project is located at 881 First Avenue, Chester, unincorporated Plumas County, CA; APN 100-270-006; T28N/R7E/Sec. 8, MDM.
APPLICANTS – TowerCo LLC and Verizon Wireless
OWNER – Chester Public Utility District
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) – The project is proposed to be exempt from the requirements of CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15305 (Class 5) as it consists of a height variance from 35 feet to 129 feet for the construction of a 129-foot telecommunications tower.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
STAFF REPORT - 1.14.26; STAFF REPORT - 12.10.25; STAFF REPORT - 11.6.2025
NOTE, ITEM WAS HEARD ON NOVEMBER 6, 2025, AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CONTINUED TO THE MEETING OF DECEMBER 10, 2025, WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY CONTINUED TO JANUARY 14, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING –The Plumas County Planning Department received a Special Use Permit (U 3-24/25-07) application to allow the construction of a one hundred twenty-nine (129) foot telecommunications tower on a parcel zoned Rural (“R-10”). The proposed project is located at 881 First Avenue, Chester, unincorporated Plumas County, CA; APN 100-270-006; T28N/R7E/Sec. 8, MDM.
APPLICANTS – TowerCo LLC and Verizon Wireless
OWNER – Chester Public Utility District
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) – The project is proposed to be exempt from the requirements of CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because after conducting the initial environmental evaluation for the project, which showed no potential adverse effects on the environment, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. Further, Plumas County Codes, as reflected in the conditions of approval, as well as other ministerial and discretionary permitting requirements, in addition to regional, state, and federal regulatory standards and regulations, would serve to address potential environmental effects.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
STAFF REPORT - 1.14.26; STAFF REPORT - 12.10.25; STAFF REPORT - 11.6.2025
PUBLIC HEARING – The Plumas County Department of Planning has received an application for a Special Use Permit (U 3-25/26-01) for a Place of Assembly use. The applicant is proposing to establish a Place of Assembly for the purpose of constructing a 1,000 square foot building in which publicly available monthly meetings of the Feather River Canyon Community Services District Board would take place. The property is located at 126 Riverview Lane, Twain, unincorporated Plumas County, CA; APN 002-443-002-000; T25N/R8E/S22 M.D.B.&M.
OWNER/APPLICANT – Feather River Canyon Community Services District
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) – The project is proposed to be exempt from the requirements of CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because after conducting the initial environmental evaluation for the project, which showed no potential adverse effects on the environment, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. Further, Plumas County Codes, as reflected in the conditions of approval, as well as other ministerial and discretionary permitting requirements, in addition to regional, state, and federal regulatory standards and regulations, would serve to address potential environmental effects.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
STAFF REPORT
NOTE, ITEM WAS HEARD ON DECEMBER 10, 2025, AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CONTINUED TO JANUARY 14, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING – The Plumas County Planning Department received a Tentative Parcel Map (TPM 12-23/24-03) application to subdivide a 39.61-acre parcel zoned Rural (“R-10”) into two (2) parcels of 19.73 acres and 19.88 acres. The subject property is located at 1954 Butterfly Valley Road, Quincy, unincorporated Plumas County, CA; APN 005-130-018; T25N/R9E/Sec. 28, MDM.
OWNER/APPLICANT – Brett and Dana Marty & Peter and Janet Rudholm
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) – The project is proposed to be exempt from the requirements of CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because after conducting the initial environmental evaluation for the project, which showed no potential adverse effects on the environment, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. Further, Plumas County Codes, as reflected in the conditions of approval, as well as other ministerial and discretionary permitting requirements, in addition to regional, state, and federal regulatory standards and regulations, would serve to address potential environmental effects.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
STAFF REPORT - 1.14.26; STAFF REPORT - 12.10.25
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For action at a future Zoning Administrator meeting:
Public Hearing - Request for a special use permit to construct a 4.53-mile long non-motorized unpaved trail at 16001 Bucks Lake Road, Bucks Lake; unincorporated Plumas County, CA; Assessor’s Parcel Number 112-060-007-000 and 112-060-008-000; T23N/R7E/Section 1, 2, MDM.
Owner/Applicant - Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) - Mitigated Negative Declaration 687 is proposed to be adopted and has been filed with the Plumas County Planning Department. It is now available for inspection and review at 555 Main Street, Quincy, CA 95971 and at the link below.
Notice of Intent to Adopt
Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 687
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Verified Request for Determination of Vested Rights for the Engels-Superior Mines Application
US Copper Withdrawal Letter
PRESS RELEASE
Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) MEMORANDUM
The County of Plumas retained Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) on February 6, 2024, to undertake the review of the existing record for a request by US Copper Corp. for determination of vested mining rights for the Engels-Superior Mines in Plumas County. The purpose of the Memorandum is to document the independent analysis by BBK of the request for determination of vested rights.
BBK MEMORANDUM - without exhibits (425 KB)
BBK MEMORANDUM - with exhibits (43 MG)
EXHIBIT A - US COPPER CORP VERIFIED REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF VESTED RIGHTS OR THE ENGELS-SUPERIOR MINES BACKGROUND REPORT
EXHIBIT B - US COPPER CORP REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF VESTED RIGHTS FOR THE ENGELS-SUPERIOR MINES – AMENDMENT LETTER DATED JUNE 27, 2023
EXHIBIT C - ENGELS AND SUPERIOR MINES HISTORICAL MAPS SENT VIA EMAIL ON JULY 10, 2023
EXHIBIT D - NOTICE OF BREACH OF LEASE OF MINING AGREEMENT OF 1954 FILED ON NOVEMBER 19, 1959 BY CEMCO
EXHIBIT E - RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENT INCLUDING TABLE 1 – RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS TO-DATE AS OF APRIL 12, 2024, 5:00PM PST
Please note, a hard copy of the Memorandum, with or without exhibits, can be obtained (reproduction charge of $0.10 per page pursuant to the Planning Department fee schedule) from the Planning Department at 555 Main Street, Quincy, CA 95971 or by calling 530-283-6214 or emailing Tracey Ferguson, Planning Director, at traceyferguson@countyofplumas.com.
PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED
Chris Woods
CAL FIRE
Central Valley Water Board
Tom Peltier
US Copper Corp - History of Mine Regulation in the United States
US Copper Corp - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Engels-Superior Vested Rights Determination
Dan Kearns
Susan Clark
Laurel Paulson-Pierce
Susan Doran
Op-Ed | CEA Foundation Weighs in on Rise Gold's Vested Rights Petition provided by Ryan Kelley
Christine Pettit
Ted Stout
Dan Kearns
Ted Stout
Gordon Keller
Tom Peltier
Anonymous
Chris Woods
Chris Woods
Tom Peltier
Danny Hansen
Chris Woods
Kristine and Donald Guess
Kristine and Donald Guess
Ken and Linda Bailey
Lindsey Kelley
Sally Harvey
Chris Woods
Tom Peltier
James Norman
Elisa Adler
Gordon Keller
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP
Alexandra Hunt
Danny Hansen
Marsha Roby
Scott Tanner
Lynn Campbell
Darrel Jury
Darla DeRuiter
Shiwaya Peck
Debra Rasmussen
US Copper Corp - Plumas Sun Q & A and steps necessary with Vested Mining Rights
Laurel Paulson-Pierce
Daniel Kunches
Mary Shero
Taurin Wilson
Bonnie Kessloff
Michelle Aparton
Jim Westcott
Macarena Parra
Thomas Peltier
Leila (Kay) Lockhart
Dan Kearns
Laura Kearns