Maybe the codes in Arcata are impartially enforced. That's the issue here, people. Not always the regulations, but the county's capricious enforcement of them. Those of you who don't build for a living might want to actually ask someone who does. Because there seem to be a lot of people on this thread who think they know everything who clearly don't have any first-hand experience with the issues.
Re: “A Lesson for Progressives”
Handier sounds like a more gifted suck-up than me. Those kind usually do well with the local permitting process. My experience is closer to Eurekan's. The process is completely arbitrary. Part of the frustration is watching some projects sail through because of who the applicant is or knows or does.