Measure X
Lets this…Become more of this.

Weathered Marinship building, discarded tires and stacked timbers
01 Marinship, today
Neighbors dining outdoors along Caledonia Street
The brick storefront and outdoor ramp at Equator Coffee
Firehouse Coffee & Tea building and the intersection of Bridgeway and Johnson Street

What Measure X Changes:

CHANGE 01

Removes the citywide voting requirement for Marinship development

Future Marinship development would follow the City’s regular public-hearing and review process.

Here are some businesses that Sausalito’s local planning process has allowed outside of the voting-required zone. Measure X would allow other businesses the same opportunity in the Marinship.

Equator Coffee brick storefront and sidewalk

Equator Coffee

Sandrino storefront and outdoor tables on the Caledonia Street sidewalk

Sandrino

Firehouse Coffee & Tea building, sidewalk and street intersection

Firehouse Coffee & Tea

Taste of Rome building and sidewalk tables seen from across the street

Taste of Rome

Driver’s Market sidewalk parklet, neighboring buildings and Caledonia Street

Driver’s Market

Smitty’s Bar façade and tree-lined Caledonia Street sidewalk

Smitty’s Bar

Sausalito Gourmet Delicatessen entrance and brick sidewalk

Gourmet Delicatessen

Sushi Ran building and Caledonia Street at dusk

Sushi Ran

Tivoli Consignment’s white storefront, sidewalk display and Caledonia Street

Tivoli Consignment

Karl the Store’s Bridgeway storefront and outdoor sidewalk seating

Karl the Store

Notte Divino’s Victorian building and sidewalk dining on Caledonia Street

Notte Divino

Where the voting requirement changes:

Affected area in Sausalito: Marinship highlighted green, where the citywide voting requirement is removed; Downtown Historic District highlighted gold, where it remains.Explore the map ↗

CHANGE 02

Citywide changes to Industrial Zoning

A complete list of allowed uses in industrial zones if Measure X passes.

  • Arts & creative uses

    • Fine, industrial and marine arts
    • Applied arts
    • Art galleries Added by X
    • Digital art Added by X
    • Performing arts, theaters and rehearsal spaces
    • Recording studios
    • Publishers
    • Printing and publishing

  • Making & industry

    • Light manufacturing
    • Industrial research and development
    • Industrial service and supply
    • Wholesaling and distribution
    • Lumber yards
    • Recycling collection stations
    • Photofinishing labs

  • Marine services

    • Marine industrial uses
    • Marine commercial services
    • Marine research, development and education Education is added to the existing category.
    • Marine fuel facilities
    • Boat launching ramps, haul-out facilities and drydocks
    • Commercial fishing facilities

  • Food & dining

    • Bakeries Added by X
    • Restaurants
    • Outdoor dining areas
    • Retail catering

  • Community, learning & wellness

    • Parks and playgrounds
    • Community centers Added by X
    • Libraries and museums Added by X
    • SchoolsToday, limited to specialized education and training.
    • Child day care Added by X
    • Fitness and wellness facilities

  • Harbors & boating

    • Boat storage
    • Harbor and marina facilities Added by X
    • Moorings and mooring fields Added by X
    • Wholesale and retail fish sales
    • Piers, docks, floats and wharvesToday, pleasure-craft piers or docks must be accessory to a marine industrial use.
    • Houseboats Added by X
    • Liveaboards Added by X
    • Yacht clubsToday, limited to tax-exempt yacht clubs.

  • Retail & supplies

    • Ancillary retail Added by X A new table entry; some accessory retail is already allowed today.
    • Temporary outdoor retail sales Added by X
    • Building-material stores
    • Auto, vehicle and parts sales
    • Nurseries The separate “plant nurseries” entry is removed; “nurseries” remains.

  • Business & health services

    • Business / office supply and support services
    • Equipment rental and sales
    • Financial institutions
    • Medical clinics and laboratories
    • Veterinary clinicsToday, only allowed as an accessory to a marine research laboratory.
    • Laundry & dry-cleaning plants Removed by X

  • Repairs & delivery

    • Consumer-product repair and maintenance
    • Vehicle repair and maintenance
    • Parcel delivery services
    • Service stations Removed by X

  • Storage & infrastructure

    • Accessory storage
    • Storage yards
    • Vehicle storage
    • Standalone off-street parkingToday, limited to parking that serves a Waterfront-district use.
    • Pipelines and transmission lines
    • Antennas and communications facilities
    • Warehousing Removed by X

  • Public facilities

    • Public safety facilities
    • Public utility facilities

  • Offices & temporary uses

    • Existing offices from before April 5, 1988 Existing uses only; this does not authorize new standalone offices.
    • Accessory officesAccessory to an allowed primary use; floor-area limits apply.
    • Temporary offices Added by X
    • Temporary uses and events

Map of Sausalito Industrial Zones

Citywide map of Sausalito with all Industrial (I) zones highlighted in green, concentrated in Marinship.Explore the map ↗
All Industrial (I) zones across Sausalito. Source: MarinMap zoning data ↗

Max height of new development raised from 32 to 47 feet

Campaign illustration comparing existing Sausalito buildings with proposed 32-foot Waterfront and 47-foot Industrial buildings
47 feet: the proposed Industrial height limit. Waterfront generally stays at 32 feet, with a 47-foot exception for qualifying marine uses with a use permit. Illustration: Vote Yes on X, community-supplied. Open the full illustration ↗

CHANGE 03

Citywide changes to Waterfront Zoning

A complete list of allowed uses in waterfront zones if Measure X passes.

  • Arts & creative uses

    • Fine and industrial arts Added by X Broader arts categories are added; marine-related arts already occur under existing marine uses.
    • Marine arts Boatbuilding and marine crafts already fit existing marine industrial uses; marine arts now has its own entry.
    • Applied arts Added by X Marine applied arts are already allowed; the broader applied-arts category is added.
    • Art galleries Added by X
    • Digital art Added by X
    • Performing arts, theaters and rehearsal spaces Added by X
    • Recording studios Added by X
    • Publishers Added by X
    • Printing and publishing Added by X

  • Making & industry

    • Light manufacturing Added by X
    • Industrial research and development Added by X
    • Industrial service and supply Added by X
    • Wholesaling and distribution Added by X
    • Lumber yards Added by X
    • Recycling collection stations
    • Photofinishing labs Added by X

  • Marine services

    • Marine industrial uses
    • Marine commercial services
    • Marine research, development and education Added by X A separate category is added. Marine research already fits some existing marine industrial uses.
    • Marine fuel facilities
    • Boat launching ramps, haul-out facilities and drydocks
    • Commercial fishing facilities

  • Food & dining

    • Bakeries Added by X
    • Restaurants Added by X Restaurants are already allowed in Marinship, but Measure X makes them easier to approve. It also adds restaurants in base Waterfront (W).
    • Outdoor dining areas Added by X Added in base W. Already allowed with a minor permit in Marinship W-M.
    • Retail catering Added by X

  • Community, learning & wellness

    • Parks and playgrounds Added by X Added in Marinship W-M; already permitted in base W.
    • Community centers Added by X
    • Libraries and museums Added by X
    • Schools Added by X Added in Marinship W-M. Base W already allows specialized education and training.
    • Child day care Added by X
    • Fitness and wellness facilities Added by X

  • Harbors & boating

    • Boat storage Dry boat storage is already permitted in both Waterfront subdistricts.
    • Harbor and marina facilities Already listed in both. Marinship W-M currently restricts the category to marine-service harbors.
    • Moorings and mooring fields Added by X Newly listed as a separate category alongside harbor and marina facilities.
    • Wholesale and retail fish sales
    • Piers, docks, floats and wharves
    • Houseboats Added by X Base W has no houseboat entry. W-M allows legalization of existing houseboats but bars new ones; Measure X broadens the category.
    • Liveaboards Already allowed with a conditional permit in both. BCDC permits and state rules still apply.
    • Yacht clubs Already allowed in both. Marinship W-M currently limits the category to qualifying tax-exempt clubs.

  • Retail & supplies

    • Ancillary retail Added by X A new table entry; some accessory or marine-related retail is already allowed.
    • Temporary outdoor retail sales Added by X
    • Building-material stores Added by X
    • Auto, vehicle and parts sales Added by X
    • Nurseries Added by X

  • Business & health services

    • Business / office supply and support services Added by X
    • Equipment rental and sales Added by X Base W already lists recreational equipment sales and rentals. Measure X lists the broader equipment rental and sales category.
    • Financial institutions Added by X
    • Medical clinics and laboratories Added by X
    • Veterinary clinics

  • Repairs & delivery

    • Consumer-product repair and maintenance Added by X
    • Vehicle repair and maintenance Added by X
    • Parcel delivery services Added by X

  • Storage & infrastructure

    • Accessory storage Added by X Added as a listed category in Marinship W-M; already listed in base W.
    • Storage yards Added by X
    • Vehicle storage Added by X
    • Standalone off-street parking Added by X
    • Pipelines and transmission lines Added by X Added in Marinship W-M; already allowed with a minor permit in base W.
    • Antennas and communications facilities Wireless facilities are already addressed by Chapter 10.45. Measure X adds an explicit use-table entry.

  • Public facilities

    • Public safety facilities Added by X Added in Marinship W-M; already permitted in base W.
    • Public utility facilities Added by X Added in Marinship W-M. Base W already allows minor and major utility facilities with permits.

  • Offices & other uses

    • Existing offices from before April 5, 1988 Existing uses only; this does not authorize new standalone offices.
    • Accessory offices Accessory to an allowed primary use; floor-area limits apply.
    • Temporary offices
    • Temporary uses and events
    • Agricultural employee housing Removed by X Currently a conditional use in Marinship W-M; omitted from the new table. Applicable state housing law still controls.

Map of Sausalito Waterfront Zones

Citywide map of Sausalito with all Waterfront (W) zones highlighted in gold, from Marinship to the waterfront north of downtown.Explore the map ↗
Waterfront (W), including Marinship. The separate Commercial Waterfront (CW) district is not highlighted. Source: MarinMap zoning data ↗

INDUSTRIAL & WATERFRONT ZONES

What’s not allowed?

These uses are not allowed as general uses under Measure X. Future zoning changes in the Marinship would follow the City’s public review process.

Illustrative apartment buildingNew land-based housing

Housing

No new land-based housing category is added. Houseboats and liveaboards remain allowed, subject to state and BCDC rules.

Illustrative hotel exteriorNew hotel uses

Hotels

No hotel use is added to the Industrial or Waterfront zones.

Illustrative office buildingNew standalone offices

Offices

New general commercial offices remain restricted. Accessory offices, qualifying existing offices and independently permitted uses are exceptions.

Illustrative large retail store with a fictional Box Co. signGeneral retail stores

Big retail

Retail is allowed, but products must be manufactured / produced on site.This applies to ancillary retail; other specifically listed retail uses have separate rules.

These describe the measure’s immediate zoning changes. Measure text, use tables and §§ 10.24.040, 10.26.030–.040 · City formula-retail rules, § 10.44.240.

A few questions.

Does this remove my right to vote on new projects?

The only change that was put to vote in recent history was Measure J in 2025, which approved re-zoning 1 Harbor Drive as residential. There is now an 80 foot apartment tower being planned at that location. You have never gotten the chance to vote on a new small business, because small businesses can not afford to run a city-wide political campaign.

Measure X analysis ↗ · Measure J analysis ↗

Cultivar and Franko & Co are inside the protected area. How could they open?

A new business can fit an already allowed use without needing a zoning change. A restaurant replacing a restaurant is one example.

Cultivar occupies the former Caffè Tutti restaurant space at 690 Bridgeway; the City lists its work as restaurant tenant improvements. For Franko & Co at 721B Bridgeway, the City’s notice describes a minor use permit for outdoor sidewalk dining. These local permits are different from changing the zoning rules.

Cultivar permit record ↗ · Former Caffè Tutti site ↗ · Franko & Co public notice ↗

What about the 80-foot apartment building at 1 Harbor Drive in the “No on X” flyer?

That proposal follows the housing rules adopted through Measure J in November 2025, together with state housing law. Measure J’s public vote approved housing overlay zoning; it did not approve the specific apartment building.

Measure X does not add a general land-based housing use to the Industrial or Waterfront zones. The 1 Harbor Drive proposal comes from a separate housing process already in place.

We believe small businesses should be able to pursue appropriate zoning changes through public hearings, without having to organize a citywide election campaign.

Measure J analysis ↗ · Certified election results ↗ · 1 Harbor Drive reporting ↗

Who supports Measure X

Associations and businesses listed by the official Yes on X campaign ↗.

  • Sausalito Sustainable Waterfront Association
  • Sierra Club
  • Sausalito Chamber of Commerce
  • Greenbelt Alliance
  • 2200 Studios
  • Blue Water Yacht Harbor
  • Clipper Yacht Harbor
  • Farallon Aquatics
  • Fish
  • Fjord
  • H&M Marine
  • Heath Ceramics
  • Hiccapop
  • Hood Sailmakers Sausalito
  • Intertie
  • Juicy Pear
  • LLEA Blue
  • Marin Independent Journal
  • Marina Plaza Harbor
  • Mauma
  • Modern Sailing
  • New Rayann Sportfishing
  • Salty Lady Sportfishing
  • Sausalito Boat Show
  • Sausalito Liquor Company
  • Sausalito Yacht Harbor
  • Sawyer & Labar LLP
  • Schoonmaker Point Marina
  • Sean Cope Pictures
  • The Social Klub
  • Tellason
  • Township

Sources & photo credits

01 / THE PROPOSALRead Measure XFull corrected ballot text · PDF, 23 MB02 / THE ANALYSISExplore the impact reportIndependent City-commissioned report · PDF03 / BOTH PERSPECTIVESOfficial voter informationBallot question, legal analysis & arguments
Photography & illustration credits +

Marinship: community-supplied photograph. Caledonia Street: Sherry LaVars / Marin Independent Journal, November 12, 2021. Equator: community-supplied Google-hosted photograph; photographer not identified. Firehouse: Firehouse Coffee & Tea website.

Existing businesses illustrate the possibilities; they are not promised projects or endorsements of Measure X. Some restaurants are already allowed in Marinship, subject to current restrictions. Individual Planning Commission approvals have not been independently verified.

Building-category photos: AI-generated illustrations of fictional buildings. Height illustration: Vote Yes on X, supplied by the community; an artist’s illustration, not a survey. Map boundaries: MarinMap. Voting-rule map uses the Sausalito Marinship and Historic District layers. Citywide zoning maps: MarinMap zoning data.