CITY AND COUNTY GENERAL PLANS
Every city and county in California is required by state law to prepare and adopt a comprehensive, long-term General Plan. Often described as the “constitution” or blueprint for future development, this foundational document guides local governments’ decisions on land use, public services, and resource management for the next 10 to 20 years. An experienced attorney can help clients understand specific city and county general plans and guide clients through the land use process.
Purpose and Function
The primary function of a General Plan is to provide a consistent, integrated statement of policies that reflect a community’s vision and values. It serves several key purposes:
Guiding Growth: The plan establishes goals and policies for how the community should grow and change over time, addressing both immediate and long-term needs.
Legal Basis for Decisions: All local land use decisions, including zoning, subdivision approvals, and capital improvement plans, must be legally consistent with the adopted General Plan.
Coordination and Planning: It is used by the city council, planning commission, and various departments to coordinate policy initiatives, evaluate budgets, plan capital improvements (e.g., roads, water systems, parks), and prioritize tasks.
Community Engagement: The process of preparing and adopting a General Plan offers an opportunity for residents, business owners, and other stakeholders to express their values and shape a shared vision for the community’s future.
Mandatory Elements
State law (California Government Code Section 65302) mandates that every General Plan include at least seven core elements:
Land Use: Designates the general distribution, location, and extent of the uses of land for housing, business, industry, open space, and other categories.
Circulation: Plans for the transportation network, including streets, public transit, and other mobility infrastructure, ensuring consistency with the land use element.
Housing: Identifies and analyzes existing and projected housing needs across all income levels and includes programs to meet those needs.
Conservation: Addresses the preservation, development, and use of natural resources, such as water, forests, and minerals.
Open Space: Details plans for preserving open space for natural resources, outdoor recreation, and public health and safety.
Noise: Identifies and analyzes existing and projected noise problems and includes measures for noise abatement and mitigation.
Safety: Establishes policies to protect the community from various hazards, including seismic, geologic, flood, and wildfire risks.
Jurisdictions with disadvantaged communities must also address environmental justice issues. Cities and counties may also add optional elements (e.g., economic development, air quality, historic preservation) to address specific local concerns.
Update Process
While General Plans focus on a 20-year horizon, they must be updated periodically to reflect changing conditions, new state laws, and emerging trends. The Housing Element is the only part with a specific, state-mandated update cycle (every eight years). All other elements are updated as needed to maintain internal consistency.
The update process involves extensive public participation and an environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to assess and mitigate potential environmental impacts. Once adopted, the General Plan becomes the community’s definitive guide for shaping its future physical development and preserving its quality of life.
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