Pub. Resources Code, § 30600.6

(a) The Legislature finds that some new cost may be incurred by local governments when the authority to issue coastal development permits is delegated to these local governments as provided in Section 30600.5. It is the intent of the Legislature that during the period prior to certification of a local government’s local coastal program these new costs shall be funded as provided in this section.

(b) If a local government has been delegated authority to issue coastal development permits as provided in Section 30600.5, any new costs incurred by reason thereof shall be recovered from fees charged to individual permit applicants. Such fees shall cover only those costs which meet all of the following criteria:

(1) The costs are attributable to the actual issuance of coastal development permits, including a pro rata share of general administrative costs.

(2) The costs would not have been incurred except for the delegation of authority to issue coastal development permits as provided in Section 30600.5.

(3) The costs are of a type which would not normally be incurred by the local government in carrying out its land use planning and regulatory responsibilities pursuant to other provisions of law.

(c) A local government may elect not to levy fees as provided in this section. If the local government does not levy such fees, it shall not be eligible to be reimbursed for such costs pursuant to other provisions of law.

(d) After certification of its local coastal program, each respective local government shall be reimbursed for costs associated with implementation of that local coastal program as provided in Article 4 (commencing with Section 30350) of Chapter 4.