text:
The general plan shall consist of a statement of development policies and shall include a diagram or diagrams and text setting forth objectives, principles, standards, and plan proposals. The plan shall include the following elements:

(a) A land use element that designates the proposed general distribution and general location and extent of the uses of the land for housing, business, industry, open space, including agriculture, natural resources, recreation, and enjoyment of scenic beauty, education, public buildings and grounds, solid and liquid waste disposal facilities, greenways, as defined in Section 816.52 of the Civil Code, and other categories of public and private uses of land. The location and designation of the extent of the uses of the land for public and private uses shall consider the identification of land and natural resources pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (d). The land use element shall include a statement of the standards of population density and building intensity recommended for the various districts and other territory covered by the plan. The land use element shall identify and annually review those areas covered by the plan that are subject to flooding identified by flood plain mapping prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the Department of Water Resources. The land use element shall also do both of the following:

(1) Designate in a land use category that provides for timber production those parcels of real property zoned for timberland production pursuant to the California Timberland Productivity Act of 1982 (Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 51100) of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 5).

(2) Consider the impact of new growth on military readiness activities carried out on military bases, installations, and operating and training areas, when proposing zoning ordinances or designating land uses covered by the general plan for land, or other territory adjacent to military facilities, or underlying designated military aviation routes and airspace.

(A) In determining the impact of new growth on military readiness activities, information provided by military facilities shall be considered. Cities and counties shall address military impacts based on information from the military and other sources.

(B) The following definitions govern this paragraph:

(i) “Military readiness activities” mean all of the following:

(I) Training, support, and operations that prepare the members of the military for combat.

(II) Operation, maintenance, and security of any military installation.

(III) Testing of military equipment, vehicles, weapons, and sensors for proper operation or suitability for combat use.

(ii) “Military installation” means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (g) of Section 2687 of Title 10 of the United States Code.

(b) (1) A circulation element consisting of the general location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, any military airports and ports, and other local public utilities and facilities, all correlated with the land use element of the plan.

(2) (A) Commencing January 1, 2011, upon any substantive revision of the circulation element, the legislative body shall modify the circulation element to plan for a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways for safe and convenient travel in a manner that is suitable to the rural, suburban, or urban context of the general plan.

(B) Upon any substantive revision of the circulation element on or after January 1, 2025, the legislative body shall do all of the following:

(i) Incorporate the principles of the Federal Highway Administration’s Safe System Approach, in the circulation element by including policies that aim to eliminate fatal and serious injuries for all road users through a holistic view of the roadway system, including provisions that account for human error, recognize vulnerable road users, and promote redundant and proactive safety measures.

(ii) Develop bicycle plans, pedestrian plans, and traffic calming plans based on the policies and goals in the circulation element that shall address all of the following for any urbanized area within the scope of the general plan:

(I) Identify safety corridors and any land or facility that generates high concentrations of bicyclists or pedestrians.

(II) Use evidence-based strategies, including strategies identified in the United States Department of Transportation’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan to develop safety measures specific to those areas that are intended to eliminate traffic fatalities, with an emphasis on fatalities of bicyclists, pedestrians, and users of any other form of micromobility device in the areas identified in subclause (I).

(III) Set goals for initiation and completion of all actions identified in the plans within 25 years of the date of adoption of the modified circulation element based upon projected development activities within urbanized areas within the scope of the general plan and projected availability of revenues.

(C) (i) A county or city shall begin implementation of the modified circulation element plan specified in subparagraph (B) within two years of the date of adoption of the plan.

(ii) A county or city shall regularly review the progress towards and identify impediments to completing implementation of the plan for a multimodal transportation network, including all bicycle plans, pedestrian plans, and traffic calming plans iterated in the modified circulation element, and the construction of any related infrastructure.

(iii) A county or city shall consider revising the circulation element if, following the review under clause (ii), the county or city determines it will not reach the goals of the bicycle, pedestrian, or traffic calming plans within 25 years of the date of adoption of the modified circulation element.

(D) For the purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions shall apply:

(i) “Business activity district” has the same meaning as defined in Section 22358.9 of the Vehicle Code.

(ii) “Land facilities that generate high concentrations of bicyclists or pedestrians” has the same meaning as described in Section 22358.7 of the Vehicle Code.

(iii) “Micromobility device” means a bicycle, electric bicycle, or motorized scooter as those terms are defined and described in Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) of the Vehicle Code.

(iv) “Safety corridor” has the same meaning as defined in Section 22358.7 of the Vehicle Code.

(v) “Urbanized area” has the same meaning as defined in Section 21071 of the Public Resources Code.

(E) For purposes of this paragraph, “users of streets, roads, and highways” mean bicyclists, children, persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of commercial goods, pedestrians, users of public transportation, and seniors.

(c) A housing element as provided in Article 10.6 (commencing with Section 65580).

(d) (1) A conservation element for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources, including water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources. The conservation element shall consider the effect of development within the jurisdiction, as described in the land use element, on natural resources located on public lands, including military installations. The conservation element shall consider the effect of development within the jurisdiction, as described in the land use element, on the movement of wildlife and habitat connectivity. That portion of the conservation element including waters shall be developed in coordination with any countywide water agency and with all district and city agencies, including flood management, water conservation, or groundwater agencies that have developed, served, controlled, managed, or conserved water of any type for any purpose in the county or city for which the plan is prepared. Coordination shall include the discussion and evaluation of any water supply and demand information described in Section 65352.5, if that information has been submitted by the water agency to the city or county.

(2) The conservation element may also cover all of the following:

(A) The reclamation of land and waters.

(B) Prevention and control of the pollution of streams and other waters.

(C) Regulation of the use of land in stream channels and other areas required for the accomplishment of the conservation plan.

(D) Prevention, control, and correction of the erosion of soils, beaches, and shores.

(E) Protection of watersheds.

(F) The location, quantity, and quality of the rock, sand, and gravel resources.

(3) Upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2009, the conservation element shall identify rivers, creeks, streams, flood corridors, riparian habitats, and land that may accommodate floodwater for purposes of groundwater recharge and stormwater management.

(4) Upon the adoption or next revision of one or more elements on or after January 1, 2028, the conservation element shall be updated to:

(A) Identify and analyze connectivity areas, permeability, and natural landscape areas within the jurisdiction, as those terms are defined in Section 158 of the Streets and Highways Code.

(B) Identify and analyze existing or planned wildlife passage features, as defined in Section 158 of the Streets and Highways Code, including, but not limited to, wildlife passage features included in the inventory of connectivity needs on the state highway system, as described in Section 158.1 of the Streets and Highways Code, to ensure that planned development does not undermine the effectiveness of existing and potential wildlife passage features, as defined in Section 158 of the Streets and Highways Code.

(C) (i) Consider the impacts of development and the barriers caused by development to wildlife and habitat connectivity.

(ii) For the purposes of this subparagraph, “wildlife” has the same meaning as defined in Section 89.5 of the Fish and Game Code.

(D) Avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts and barriers to wildlife movement to the extent feasible.

(E) Analyze and consider opportunities to remediate existing barriers to wildlife connectivity and restore degraded habitat and open space.

(5) If a city, county, or city and county has already included policies in existing plans, including its certified local coastal plan, that meet the requirements of paragraph (4), the city, county, or city and county may incorporate the plan by reference into the general plan to comply with this section.

(6) In preparing to update the conservation element, the city, county, or city and county may do any of the following:

(A) Consider incorporating appropriate standards, policies, and feasible implementation programs such as wildlife-friendly fencing and lighting, buffers from sensitive resources, prohibitions on invasive plants, habitat connectivity overlay zones, and compact development standards, or consider whether adoption of ordinances is necessary to feasibly implement these standards, policies, and implementation programs, and include goals to adopt any necessary ordinances.

(B) Consult with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, any California Native American tribe that is on the contact list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission and that has traditional lands located within the city, county, or city and county’s jurisdiction, and any open-space district that owns lands designated for conservation within the city, county, or city and county’s jurisdiction. Upon receiving a request for consultation, the department, tribe, or district may, in its sole discretion, accept or refuse to consult, based on the priority of natural resources impacted or other factors.

(C) Consider relevant best available science as appropriate, including, but not limited to, peer-reviewed literature, citable publicly available datasets, publicly sourced online datasets, and information and reports from government agencies, California Native American tribes, and academic institutions.

(D) Consider the most appropriately scaled scientific information on linkages, corridors, and other locations that are essential to maintain landscape connectivity, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(i) Habitat linkages and wildlife corridors, such as those identified and summarized in the Areas of Conservation Emphasis, as defined by subdivision (a) of Section 1851 of the Fish and Game Code, and in regional habitat connectivity assessments.

(ii) Wildlife corridors, such as migration corridors identified by global positioning system collar studies.

(iii) Wildlife movement barriers, such as connectivity areas, as defined by subdivision (a) of Section 158 of the Street and Highways Code, and barriers identified by the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Restoring California’s Wildlife Connectivity report.

(iv) Other connectivity considerations, such as those outlined in the State Wildlife Action Plan, habitat conservation plans approved pursuant to Section 1539 of Title 16 of the United States Code, natural community conservation plans approved pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code, regional conservation investment strategies approved pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 1850) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code, and other relevant plans, policies, and ordinances adopted by neighboring jurisdictions.

(7) In preparing to update the conservation element, the city, county, or city and county may consult with other appropriate local, state, or federal agencies, or academic institutions, as deemed appropriate by the city or county.

(8) The city, county, or city and county may meet the requirements in paragraphs (4) through (6), inclusive, in a separate component or section of the general plan entitled a wildlife connectivity element.

(e) An open-space element as provided in Article 10.5 (commencing with Section 65560).

(f) (1) A noise element that shall identify and appraise noise problems in the community. The noise element shall analyze and quantify, to the extent practicable, as determined by the legislative body, current and projected noise levels for all of the following sources:

(A) Highways and freeways.

(B) Primary arterials and major local streets.

(C) Passenger and freight online railroad operations and ground rapid transit systems.

(D) Commercial, general aviation, heliport, helistop, and military airport operations, aircraft overflights, jet engine test stands, and all other ground facilities and maintenance functions related to airport operation.

(E) Local industrial plants, including, but not limited to, railroad classification yards.

(F) Other ground stationary noise sources, including, but not limited to, military installations, identified by local agencies as contributing to the community noise environment.

(2) Noise contours shall be shown for all of these sources and stated in terms of community noise equivalent level (CNEL) or day-night average sound level (Ldn). The noise contours shall be prepared on the basis of noise monitoring or following generally accepted noise modeling techniques for the various sources identified in subparagraphs (A) to (F) of paragraph (1), inclusive.

(3) The noise contours shall be used as a guide for establishing a pattern of land uses in the land use element that minimizes the exposure of community residents to excessive noise.

(4) The noise element shall include implementation measures and possible solutions that address existing and foreseeable noise problems, if any. The adopted noise element shall serve as a guideline for compliance with the state’s noise insulation standards.

(g) (1) A safety element for the protection of the community from any unreasonable risks associated with the effects of seismically induced surface rupture, ground shaking, ground failure, tsunami, seiche, and dam failure; slope instability leading to mudslides and landslides; subsidence; liquefaction; and other seismic hazards identified pursuant to Chapter 7.8 (commencing with Section 2690) of Division 2 of the Public Resources Code, and other geologic hazards known to the legislative body; flooding; and wildland and urban fires. The safety element shall include mapping of known seismic and other geologic hazards. It shall also address evacuation routes, military installations, peakload water supply requirements, and minimum road widths and clearances around structures, as those items relate to identified fire and geologic hazards.

(2) The safety element, upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2009, shall also do the following:

(A) Identify information regarding flood hazards, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) Flood hazard zones. As used in this subdivision, “flood hazard zone” means an area subject to flooding that is delineated as either a special hazard area or an area of moderate or minimal hazard on an official flood insurance rate map issued by FEMA. The identification of a flood hazard zone does not imply that areas outside the flood hazard zones or uses permitted within flood hazard zones will be free from flooding or flood damage.

(ii) National Flood Insurance Program maps published by FEMA.

(iii) Information about flood hazards that is available from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

(iv) Designated floodway maps that are available from the Central Valley Flood Protection Board.

(v) Dam failure inundation maps prepared pursuant to Section 6161 of the Water Code that are available from the Department of Water Resources.

(vi) Awareness Floodplain Mapping Program maps and 200-year flood plain maps that are or may be available from, or accepted by, the Department of Water Resources.

(vii) Maps of levee protection zones.

(viii) Areas subject to inundation in the event of the failure of project or nonproject levees or floodwalls.

(ix) Historical data on flooding, including locally prepared maps of areas that are subject to flooding, areas that are vulnerable to flooding after wildfires, and sites that have been repeatedly damaged by flooding.

(x) Existing and planned development in flood hazard zones, including structures, roads, utilities, and essential public facilities.

(xi) Local, state, and federal agencies with responsibility for flood protection, including special districts and local offices of emergency services.

(B) Establish a set of comprehensive goals, policies, and objectives based on the information identified pursuant to subparagraph (A), for the protection of the community from the unreasonable risks of flooding, including, but not limited to:

(i) Avoiding or minimizing the risks of flooding to new development.

(ii) Evaluating whether new development should be located in flood hazard zones, and identifying construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if new development is located in flood hazard zones.

(iii) Maintaining the structural and operational integrity of essential public facilities during flooding.

(iv) Locating, when feasible, new essential public facilities outside of flood hazard zones, including hospitals and health care facilities, emergency shelters, fire stations, emergency command centers, and emergency communications facilities or identifying construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if these facilities are located in flood hazard zones.

(v) Establishing cooperative working relationships among public agencies with responsibility for flood protection.

(C) Establish a set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives established pursuant to subparagraph (B).

(3) Upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2014, the safety element shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to address the risk of fire for land classified as state responsibility areas, as defined in Section 4102 of the Public Resources Code, and land classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, as defined in Section 51177. This review shall consider the advice included in the Office of Planning and Research’s most recent publication of “Fire Hazard Planning, General Plan Technical Advice Series” and shall also include all of the following:

(A) Information regarding fire hazards, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(i) Fire hazard severity zone maps available from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

(ii) Any historical data on wildfires available from local agencies or a reference to where the data can be found.

(iii) Information about wildfire hazard areas that may be available from the United States Geological Survey.

(iv) General location and distribution of existing and planned uses of land in very high fire hazard severity zones and in state responsibility areas, including structures, roads, utilities, and essential public facilities. The location and distribution of planned uses of land shall not require defensible space compliance measures required by state law or local ordinance to occur on publicly owned lands or open-space designations of homeowner associations.

(v) Local, state, and federal agencies with responsibility for fire protection, including special districts and local offices of emergency services.

(B) A set of goals, policies, and objectives based on the information identified pursuant to subparagraph (A) for the protection of the community from the unreasonable risk of wildfire.

(C) A set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives based on the information identified pursuant to subparagraph (B), including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(i) Avoiding or minimizing the wildfire hazards associated with new uses of land.

(ii) Locating, when feasible, new essential public facilities outside of high fire risk areas, including, but not limited to, hospitals and health care facilities, emergency shelters, emergency command centers, and emergency communications facilities, or identifying construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if these facilities are located in a state responsibility area or very high fire hazard severity zone.

(iii) Designing adequate infrastructure if a new development is located in a state responsibility area or in a very high fire hazard severity zone, including safe access for emergency response vehicles, visible street signs, and water supplies for structural fire suppression.

(iv) Working cooperatively with public agencies with responsibility for fire protection.

(D) If a city or county has adopted a fire safety plan or document separate from the general plan, an attachment of, or reference to, a city or county’s adopted fire safety plan or document that fulfills commensurate goals and objectives and contains information required pursuant to this paragraph.

(4) Upon the next revision of a local hazard mitigation plan, adopted in accordance with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390), on or after January 1, 2017, or, if a local jurisdiction has not adopted a local hazard mitigation plan, beginning on or before January 1, 2022, the safety element shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to address climate adaptation and resiliency strategies applicable to the city or county. This review shall consider advice provided in the Office of Planning and Research’s General Plan Guidelines and shall include all of the following:

(A) (i) A vulnerability assessment that identifies the risks that climate change poses to the local jurisdiction and the geographic areas at risk from climate change impacts, including, but not limited to, an assessment of how climate change may affect the risks addressed pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3).

(ii) Information that may be available from federal, state, regional, and local agencies that will assist in developing the vulnerability assessment and the adaptation policies and strategies required pursuant to subparagraph (B), including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(I) Information from the internet-based Cal-Adapt tool.

(II) Information from the most recent version of the California Adaptation Planning Guide.

(III) Information from local agencies on the types of assets, resources, and populations that will be sensitive to various climate change exposures.

(IV) Information from local agencies on their current ability to deal with the impacts of climate change.

(V) Historical data on natural events and hazards, including locally prepared maps of areas subject to previous risk, areas that are vulnerable, and sites that have been repeatedly damaged.

(VI) Existing and planned development in identified at-risk areas, including structures, roads, utilities, and essential public facilities.

(VII) Federal, state, regional, and local agencies with responsibility for the protection of public health and safety and the environment, including special districts and local offices of emergency services.

(B) A set of adaptation and resilience goals, policies, and objectives based on the information specified in subparagraph (A) for the protection of the community.

(C) A set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives identified pursuant to subparagraph (B), including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(i) Feasible methods to avoid or minimize climate change impacts associated with new uses of land.

(ii) The location, when feasible, of new essential public facilities outside of at-risk areas, including, but not limited to, hospitals and health care facilities, emergency shelters, emergency command centers, and emergency communications facilities, or identifying construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if these facilities are located in at-risk areas.

(iii) The designation of adequate and feasible infrastructure located in an at-risk area.

(iv) Guidelines for working cooperatively with relevant local, regional, state, and federal agencies.

(v) The identification of natural infrastructure that may be used in adaptation projects, where feasible. Where feasible, the plan shall use existing natural features and ecosystem processes, or the restoration of natural features and ecosystem processes, when developing alternatives for consideration. For purposes of this clause, “natural infrastructure” means using natural ecological systems or processes to reduce vulnerability to climate change related hazards, or other related climate change effects, while increasing the long-term adaptive capacity of coastal and inland areas by perpetuating or restoring ecosystem services. This includes, but is not limited to, the conservation, preservation, or sustainable management of any form of aquatic or terrestrial vegetated open space, such as beaches, dunes, tidal marshes, reefs, seagrass, parks, rain gardens, and urban tree canopies. It also includes systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes, such as permeable pavements, bioswales, and other engineered systems, such as levees that are combined with restored natural systems, to provide clean water, conserve ecosystem values and functions, and provide a wide array of benefits to people and wildlife.

(D) (i) If a city or county has adopted the local hazard mitigation plan, or other climate adaptation plan or document that fulfills commensurate goals and objectives and contains the information required pursuant to this paragraph, separate from the general plan, an attachment of, or reference to, the local hazard mitigation plan or other climate adaptation plan or document.

(ii) Cities or counties that have an adopted hazard mitigation plan, or other climate adaptation plan or document that substantially complies with this section, or have substantially equivalent provisions to this subdivision in their general plans, may use that information in the safety element to comply with this subdivision, and shall summarize and incorporate by reference into the safety element the other general plan provisions, climate adaptation plan or document, specifically showing how each requirement of this subdivision has been met.

(5) Upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2020, the safety element shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to identify residential developments in any hazard area identified in the safety element that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes.

(6) After the initial revision of the safety element pursuant to paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5), the planning agency shall review and, if necessary, revise the safety element upon each revision of the housing element or local hazard mitigation plan, but not less than once every eight years, to identify new information relating to flood and fire hazards and climate adaptation and resiliency strategies applicable to the city or county that was not available during the previous revision of the safety element.

(7) Cities and counties that have flood plain management ordinances that have been approved by FEMA that substantially comply with this section, or have substantially equivalent provisions to this subdivision in their general plans, may use that information in the safety element to comply with this subdivision, and shall summarize and incorporate by reference into the safety element the other general plan provisions or the flood plain ordinance, specifically showing how each requirement of this subdivision has been met.

(8) Before the periodic review of its general plan and before preparing or revising its safety element, each city and county shall consult the California Geological Survey of the Department of Conservation, the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, if the city or county is located within the boundaries of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Drainage District, as set forth in Section 8501 of the Water Code, and the Office of Emergency Services for the purpose of including information known by and available to the department, the agency, and the board required by this subdivision.

(9) To the extent that a county’s safety element is sufficiently detailed and contains appropriate policies and programs for adoption by a city, a city may adopt that portion of the county’s safety element that pertains to the city’s planning area in satisfaction of the requirement imposed by this subdivision.

(h) (1) An environmental justice element, or related goals, policies, and objectives integrated in other elements, that identifies disadvantaged communities within the area covered by the general plan of the city, county, or city and county, if the city, county, or city and county has a disadvantaged community. The environmental justice element, or related environmental justice goals, policies, and objectives integrated in other elements, shall do all of the following:

(A) Identify objectives and policies to reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities by means that include, but are not limited to, the reduction of pollution exposure, including the improvement of air quality, and the promotion of public facilities, food access, safe and sanitary homes, and physical activity.

(B) Identify objectives and policies to promote civic engagement in the public decisionmaking process.

(C) Identify objectives and policies that prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.

(2) A city, county, or city and county subject to this subdivision shall adopt or review the environmental justice element, or the environmental justice goals, policies, and objectives in other elements, upon the adoption or next revision of two or more elements concurrently on or after January 1, 2018.

(3) By adding this subdivision, the Legislature does not intend to require a city, county, or city and county to take any action prohibited by the United States Constitution or the California Constitution.

(4) For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms shall apply:

(A) “Disadvantaged communities” means an area identified by the California Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code or an area that is a low-income area that is disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation.

(B) “Public facilities” includes public improvements, public services, and community amenities, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 66000.

(C) “Low-income area” means an area with household incomes at or below 80 percent of the statewide median income or with household incomes at or below the threshold designated as low income by the Department of Housing and Community Development’s list of state income limits adopted pursuant to Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 67, Sec. 102. (AB 1170) Effective January 1, 2026.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


kind: section

code: GOV

text:
(a) Upon the next update of one or more elements described in Section 65302, on or after January 1, 2028, the safety element shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to address the hazard of extreme heat.

(1) A city or county that has adopted an extreme heat action plan or other document that fulfills commensurate goals and objectives may use that information in the safety element to comply with this subdivision and, in that event, shall summarize and incorporate into the safety element that other plan or document.

(2) A city or county may use or reference information in the Extreme Heat Action Plan described in Section 71361 of the Public Resources Code and the State Hazard Mitigation Plan required pursuant to the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390) to comply with the requirements of this subdivision.

(b) In addition to the requirements in paragraph (6) of subdivision (g) of Section 65302, after the initial revision of the safety element pursuant to subdivision (a), the planning agency shall review and, if necessary, revise the safety element upon each revision of the housing element or local hazard mitigation plan, but not less than once every eight years, to identify new information relating to extreme heat hazards applicable to the city or county that was not available during the previous revision of the safety element.

(c) For purposes of this section, “extreme heat” has the same meaning as defined in Section 71410 of the Public Resources Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 1009, Sec. 2. (AB 2684) Effective January 1, 2025.)

division: 1. PLANNING AND ZONING

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE

chapter: 3. Local Planning

path: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE > 1. PLANNING AND ZONING > 3. Local Planning > 5. Authority for and Scope of General Plans


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) The San Joaquin Valley has a serious air pollution problem that will take the cooperation of land use and transportation planning agencies, transit operators, the development community, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and the public to solve. The solution to the problem requires changes in the way we have traditionally built our communities and constructed the transportation systems. It involves a fundamental shift in priorities from emphasis on mobility for the occupants of private automobiles to a multimodal system that more efficiently uses scarce resources. It requires a change in attitude from the public to support development patterns and transportation systems different from the status quo.

(2) In 2003 the district published a document entitled, Air Quality Guidelines for General Plans. This report is a comprehensive guidance document and resource for cities and counties to use to include air quality in their general plans. It includes goals, policies, and programs that when adopted in a general plan will reduce vehicle trips and miles traveled and improve air quality.

(3) Air quality guidelines are recommended strategies that do, when it is feasible, all of the following:

(A) Determine and mitigate project level and cumulative air quality impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).

(B) Integrate land use plans, transportation plans, and air quality plans.

(C) Plan land uses in ways that support a multimodal transportation system.

(D) Local action to support programs that reduce congestion and vehicle trips.

(E) Plan land uses to minimize exposure to toxic air pollutant emissions from industrial and other sources.

(F) Reduce particulate matter emissions from sources under local jurisdiction.

(G) Support district and public utility programs to reduce emissions from energy consumption and area sources.

(4) The benefits of including air quality concerns within local general plans include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Lower infrastructure costs.

(B) Lower public service costs.

(C) More efficient transit service.

(D) Lower costs for comprehensive planning.

(E) Streamlining of the permit process.

(F) Improved mobility for the elderly and children.

(b) The legislative body of each city and county within the jurisdictional boundaries of the district shall amend the appropriate elements of its general plan, which may include, but are not limited to, the required elements dealing with land use, circulation, housing, conservation, and open space, to include data and analysis, goals, policies, and objectives, and feasible implementation strategies to improve air quality.

(c) The adoption of air quality amendments to a general plan to comply with the requirements of subdivision (d) shall include all of the following:

(1) A report describing local air quality conditions including air quality monitoring data, emission inventories, lists of significant source categories, attainment status and designations, and applicable state and federal air quality plans and transportation plans.

(2) A summary of local, district, state, and federal policies, programs, and regulations that may improve air quality in the city or county.

(3) A comprehensive set of goals, policies, and objectives that may improve air quality consistent with the strategies listed in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).

(4) A set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out those goals, policies, and objectives.

(d) At least 45 days prior to the adoption of air quality amendments to a general plan pursuant to this section, each city and county shall send a copy of its draft document to the district. The district may review the draft amendments to determine whether they may improve air quality consistent with the strategies listed in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a). Within 30 days of receiving the draft amendments, the district shall send any comments and advice to the city or county. The legislative body of the city or county shall consider the district’s comments and advice prior to the final adoption of air quality amendments to the general plan. If the district’s comments and advice are not available by the time scheduled for the final adoption of air quality amendments to the general plan, the legislative body of the city or county may act without them. The district’s comments shall be advisory to the city or county.

(e) The legislative body of each city and county within the jurisdictional boundaries of the district shall comply with this section no later than one year from the date specified in Section 65588 for the next revision of its housing element that occurs after January 1, 2004.

(f) As used in this section, “district” means the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 472, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2004.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE

article: 5. Authority for and Scope of General Plans


text:
(a) A county or city that is located in a warehouse concentration region, as defined in Section 65098, shall update its circulation element, as required by subdivision (b) of Section 65302, to do all of the following on or before January 1, 2026:

(1) Identify and establish specific travel routes for the transport of goods, materials, or freight for storage, transfer, or redistribution to safely accommodate additional truck traffic and avoid residential areas and sensitive receptors, as defined by Section 65098.

(2) Maximize the use of interstate or state divided highways as preferred routes for truck routes. The county or city shall also maximize use of arterial roads, major thoroughfares, and local roads that predominantly serve commercial, agricultural, or industrial uses when state or interstate highways are not utilized. Truck routes shall comply with the following:

(A) Major or minor collector streets and local roads that predominantly serve commercial, agricultural, or industrial uses shall be used for truck routes only when strictly necessary to reach existing industrial zones.

(B) Trucks shall be routed via transportation arteries that minimize exposure to sensitive receptors.

(b) On and after January 1, 2028, all proposed development of a logistics use development, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 65098, shall be accessible via arterial roads, major thoroughfares, or local roads that predominantly serve commercial, agricultural, or industrial uses.

(c) The purpose of this section is to ensure that logistics use developments are sited in locations that minimize adverse impacts on residential communities and enhance transportation efficiency. This is achieved by restricting logistics use developments to roadways that are suited to handle the associated traffic and that predominantly serve commercial, agricultural, or industrial uses.

(d) For purposes of this section, local roads shall be considered to predominantly serve commercial, agricultural, or industrial uses if more than 50 percent of the properties fronting the road within 1,000 feet of the truck entrances and exits are designated for commercial, agricultural, or industrial use according to the local zoning ordinance.

(e) The county or city may consult with the Department of Transportation and the California Freight Advisory Committee for technical assistance.

(f) The county or city shall provide for posting of conspicuous signage to identify truck routes and additional signage for truck parking and appropriate locations for idling and parking.

(g) The county or city shall make truck routes publicly available in geographic information system (GIS) format and share GIS maps of the truck routes with warehouse operators, fleet operators, and truck drivers.

(h) The city or county shall provide opportunities for the involvement of citizens, California Native American Indian tribes, public agencies, public utility companies, and civic, educational, and other community groups through public hearings and any other means the planning agency deems appropriate, consistent with Section 65351.

(i) The city or county shall make a diligent effort to achieve public participation of all economic segments of the community in the development of the changes required pursuant to this section.

(j) (1) An action may be brought by the Attorney General against a jurisdiction that is in violation of this section. A city, county, or city and county found by a court to be in violation of this section shall be subject to any of the following:

(A) A civil penalty of up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) every six months, accrued from the date of the violation until the violation is cured.

(B) All costs of investigating and prosecuting this action, including expert fees, reasonable attorney’s fees, and costs.

(C) Other relief deemed appropriate by the court, including equitable and injunctive relief.

(2) In determining the application of the remedies available pursuant to this section, the court shall consider whether there are any mitigating circumstances delaying the jurisdiction from coming into compliance with this section. The court may consider whether a city, county, or city and county is making a good faith effort to come into substantial compliance or is facing substantial undue hardship.

(k) Civil penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be paid to the office of the Attorney General. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, any civil penalties collected pursuant to subdivision (j), shall be distributed by the Attorney General and returned to the local air quality management district in which the civil penalty was imposed for the district’s efforts to improve air quality.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 316, Sec. 13. (SB 415) Effective January 1, 2026.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text: Upon the adoption, or revision, of a city or county’s general plan, on or after January 1, 1996, the city or county shall utilize as a source document any urban water management plan submitted to the city or county by a water agency.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 881, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1996.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) The general plan, and any applicable specific plan prepared pursuant to Article 8 (commencing with Section 65450), shall be consistent with the plan adopted or amended pursuant to Section 21675 of the Public Utilities Code.

(b) The general plan, and any applicable specific plan, shall be amended, as necessary, within 180 days of any amendment to the plan required under Section 21675 of the Public Utilities Code.

(c) If the legislative body does not concur with any provision of the plan required under Section 21675 of the Public Utilities Code, it may satisfy the provisions of this section by adopting findings pursuant to Section 21676 of the Public Utilities Code.

(d) In each county where an airport land use commission does not exist, but where there is a military airport, the general plan, and any applicable specific plan prepared pursuant to Article 8 (commencing with Section 65450), shall be consistent with the safety and noise standards in the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone prepared for that military airport.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 971, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2003.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text: The text and diagrams in the land use element that address the location and extent of land uses, and the zoning ordinances that implement these provisions, may also express community intentions regarding urban form and design. These expressions may differentiate neighborhoods, districts, and corridors, provide for a mixture of land uses and housing types within each, and provide specific measures for regulating relationships between buildings, and between buildings and outdoor public areas, including streets.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 179, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) At least 45 days prior to adoption or amendment of the safety element, each county and city shall submit to the California Geological Survey of the Department of Conservation one copy of a draft of the safety element or amendment and any technical studies used for developing the safety element. The division may review drafts submitted to it to determine whether they incorporate known seismic and other geologic hazard information, and report its findings to the planning agency within 30 days of receipt of the draft of the safety element or amendment pursuant to this subdivision. The legislative body shall consider the division’s findings prior to final adoption of the safety element or amendment unless the division’s findings are not available within the above prescribed time limits or unless the division has indicated to the city or county that the division will not review the safety element. If the division’s findings are not available within those prescribed time limits, the legislative body may take the division’s findings into consideration at the time it considers future amendments to the safety element. Each county and city shall provide the division with a copy of its adopted safety element or amendments. The division may review adopted safety elements or amendments and report its findings. All findings made by the division shall be advisory to the planning agency and legislative body.

(b) (1) The draft element of or draft amendment to the safety element of a county or a city’s general plan shall be submitted to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and to every local agency that provides fire protection to territory in the city or county at least 90 days prior to either of the following:

(A) The adoption or amendment to the safety element of its general plan for each county that contains state responsibility areas.

(B) The adoption or amendment to the safety element of its general plan for each city or county that contains a very high fire hazard severity zone as defined pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 51177.

(2) The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection shall, and a local agency may, review the draft or an existing safety element and recommend changes to the planning agency within 60 days of its receipt regarding both of the following:

(A) Uses of land and policies in state responsibility areas and very high fire hazard severity zones that will protect life, property, and natural resources from unreasonable risks associated with wild land fires.

(B) Methods and strategies for wild land fire risk reduction and prevention within state responsibility areas and very high fire hazard severity zones. These methods and strategies shall reflect accepted best practices in the most recent guidance document entitled “Fire Hazard Planning, General Plan Technical Advice Series,” as identified in Section 65040.21.

(3) (A) Prior to the adoption of its draft element or draft amendment, the board of supervisors of the county or the city council of a city shall consider the recommendations, if any, made by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and any local agency that provides fire protection to territory in the city or county. If the board of supervisors or city council determines not to accept all or some of the recommendations, if any, made by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection or local agency, the board of supervisors or city council shall communicate in writing to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection or the local agency, its reasons for not accepting the recommendations.

(B) If the board of supervisors or city council proposes not to adopt the board’s recommendations concerning its draft element or draft amendment, the board, within 15 days of receipt of the board of supervisors’ or city council’s written response, may request in writing a consultation with the board of supervisors or city council to discuss the board’s recommendations and the board of supervisors’ or city council’s response. The consultation may be conducted in person, electronically, or telephonically. If the board requests a consultation pursuant to this subparagraph, the board of supervisors or city council shall not approve the draft element or draft amendment until after consulting with the board. The consultation shall occur no later than 30 days after the board’s request.

(4) If the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s or local agency’s recommendations are not available within the time limits required by this section, the board of supervisors or city council may act without those recommendations. The board of supervisors or city council shall take the recommendations into consideration the next time it considers amendments to the safety element.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 641, Sec. 5. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2019.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) A city, county, or a city and county may adopt with its safety element pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 65302 a local hazard mitigation plan (HMP) specified in the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390). The hazard mitigation plan shall include all of the following elements called for in the federal act requirements:

(1) An initial earthquake performance evaluation of public facilities that provide essential services, shelter, and critical governmental functions.

(2) An inventory of private facilities that are potentially hazardous, including, but not limited to, multiunit, soft story, concrete tilt-up, and concrete frame buildings.

(3) A plan to reduce the potential risk from private and governmental facilities in the event of a disaster.

(b) Local jurisdictions that have not adopted a local hazard mitigation plan shall be given preference by the Office of Emergency Services in recommending actions to be funded from the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program to assist the local jurisdiction in developing and adopting a local hazard mitigation plan, subject to available funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 312. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) For the purposes of complying with Section 65302.5, each county or city located within the boundaries of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Drainage District, as set forth in Section 8501 of the Water Code, shall submit the draft element of, or draft amendment to, the safety element to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board and to every local agency that provides flood protection to territory in the city or county at least 90 days prior to the adoption of, or amendment to, the safety element of its general plan.

(b) The Central Valley Flood Protection Board and each local agency described in paragraph (1) shall review the draft or an existing safety element and report their respective written recommendations to the planning agency within 60 days of the receipt of the draft or existing safety element. The Central Valley Flood Protection Board and each local agency shall review the draft or existing safety element and may offer written recommendations for changes to the draft or existing safety element regarding both of the following:

(1) Uses of land and policies in areas subjected to flooding that will protect life, property, and natural resources from unreasonable risks associated with flooding.

(2) Methods and strategies for flood risk reduction and protection within areas subjected to flooding.

(c) Prior to the adoption of its draft element or draft amendments to the safety element, the board of supervisors of the county or the city council of a city shall consider the recommendations made by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board and any local agency that provides flood protection to territory in the city or county. If the board of supervisors or the city council determines not to accept all or some of the recommendations, if any, made by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board or the local agency, the board of supervisors or the city council shall make findings that state its reasons for not accepting a recommendation and shall communicate those findings in writing to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board or to the local agency.

(d) If the Central Valley Flood Protection Board’s or the local agency’s recommendations are not available within the time limits required by this section, the board of supervisors or the city council may act without those recommendations. The board of supervisors or city council shall consider the recommendations at the next time it considers amendments to its safety element.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 369, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
If a county or city, including a charter city, adopts or amends a mandatory general plan element which operates to limit the number of housing units which may be constructed on an annual basis, such adoption or amendment shall contain findings which justify reducing the housing opportunities of the region. The findings shall include all of the following:

(a) A description of the city’s or county’s appropriate share of the regional need for housing.

(b) A description of the specific housing programs and activities being undertaken by the local jurisdiction to fulfill the requirements of subdivision (c) of Section 65302.

(c) A description of how the public health, safety, and welfare would be promoted by such adoption or amendment.

(d) The fiscal and environmental resources available to the local jurisdiction.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 823.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) Within 24 months of July 2, 2013, each city and county within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley shall amend its general plan to contain all of the following:

(1) (A) The data and analysis contained in the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan pursuant to Section 9612 of the Water Code, including, but not limited to, the locations of the facilities of the State Plan of Flood Control and the locations of the real property protected by those facilities.

(B) The locations of flood hazard zones, including, but not limited to, locations mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Map or the Flood Hazard Boundary Map, locations that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, locations of undetermined risk areas, and locations mapped by a local flood agency or flood district.

(2) Goals, policies, and objectives, based on the data and analysis identified pursuant to paragraph (1), for the protection of lives and property that will reduce the risk of flood damage.

(3) Feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives established pursuant to paragraph (2).

(b) An undetermined risk area shall be presumed to be at risk during flooding that has a 1-in-200 chance of occurring in any given year unless deemed otherwise by the State Plan of Flood Control, an official National Flood Insurance Program rate map issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or a finding made by a city or county based on a determination of substantial evidence by a local flood agency.

(c) To assist each city or county in complying with this section, the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, the Department of Water Resources, and local flood agencies shall collaborate with cities or counties by providing them with information and other technical assistance.

(d) In implementing this section, each city and county, both general law and charter, within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley, shall comply with this article, including, but not limited to, Sections 65300.5, 65300.7, 65300.9, and 65301.

(e) Notwithstanding any other law, this section shall apply to all cities, including charter cities, and counties within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley. The Legislature finds and declares that flood protection in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers drainage areas is a matter of statewide concern and not a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution.

(f) This section shall not be construed to limit or remove any liability of a city or county prior to the amendment of the general plan except as provided in Section 8307 of the Water Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 553, Sec. 2. (SB 1278) Effective January 1, 2013.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) “Community” means an inhabited area within a city or county that is comprised of no less than 10 dwellings adjacent or in close proximity to one another.

(2) “Disadvantaged unincorporated community” means a fringe, island, or legacy community in which the median household income is 80 percent or less than the statewide median household income.

(3) “Fringe community” means any inhabited and unincorporated territory that is within a city’s sphere of influence.

(4) “Island community” means any inhabited and unincorporated territory that is surrounded or substantially surrounded by one or more cities or by one or more cities and a county boundary or the Pacific Ocean.

(5) “Legacy community” means a geographically isolated community that is inhabited and has existed for at least 50 years.

(b) On or before the due date for the next adoption of its housing element pursuant to Section 65588, each city or county shall review and update the land use element of its general plan, based on available data, including, but not limited to, the data and analysis developed pursuant to Section 56430, of unincorporated island, fringe, or legacy communities inside or near its boundaries. The updated land use element shall include all of the following:

(1) In the case of a city, an identification of each island or fringe community within the city’s sphere of influence that is a disadvantaged unincorporated community. In the case of a county, an identification of each legacy community within the boundaries of the county that is a disadvantaged unincorporated community, but not including any area within the sphere of influence of any city. This identification shall include a description of the community and a map designating its location.

(2) For each identified community, an analysis of water, wastewater, stormwater drainage, and structural fire protection needs or deficiencies.

(3) An analysis, based on then existing available data, of benefit assessment districts or other financing alternatives that could make the extension of services to identified communities financially feasible.

(c) On or before the due date for each subsequent revision of its housing element pursuant to Section 65588, each city and county shall review, and if necessary amend, its general plan to update the analysis required by this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 330, Sec. 14. (SB 1090) Effective January 1, 2013.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) On or after January 1, 2027, but no later than January 1, 2030, each city, county, or city and county shall prepare and adopt an electrification plan, decarbonization plan, community energy plan, or other similar plan, or integrate a plan into the next adoption or revision of the city’s, county’s, or city and county’s general plan, that includes all of the following:

(1) Locally based goals, objectives, policies, and feasible implementation measures that include, but are not limited to, the following components:

(A) Identification of opportunities to expand electric vehicle charging and other zero-emission vehicle fueling infrastructure to meet the needs of the city’s, county’s, or city and county’s current and future visitors, residents, and businesses, including, but not limited to, removal of any barriers to expanding electric vehicle charging and other zero-emission vehicle refueling.

(B) Identification of opportunities to expand electric vehicle charging in residential, retail, and commercial parking lots and structures, and on public streets, including, but not limited to, consideration of the creation of public electric charging corridors on public streets, to the extent necessary to meet the needs of the city’s, county’s, or city and county’s current and future visitors, residents, businesses, disadvantaged communities, and low-income households.

(C) (i) Identification of strategies for the public electrification and decarbonization of new and existing buildings, including consideration of incentivizing and subsidizing property owners and low-income households and removing any barriers to support this transition.

(ii) This subparagraph shall not be construed to require a city, county, or city and county to include in a plan adopted or integrated pursuant to this section any building code requirements to the extent prohibited by state or federal law.

(D) Identification of opportunities to expand zero-emission and renewable distributed energy resources to increase clean energy generation and local energy reliability, including, but not limited to, rooftop solar, community solar, microgrid, and battery storage technologies.

(E) Identification of areas where infrastructure may be needed and strategies to meet the existing and projected needs of public and private medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle fleets operating within the city, county, or city and county.

(F) In coordination with the corresponding local publicly owned electric utilities, electrical corporations, and, if applicable, other corresponding load-serving entities, identification of areas where grid infrastructure upgrades are needed to meet the transportation, decarbonization, and building electrification needs of visitors, residents, businesses, and governmental entities within the city, county, or city and county.

(2) Policies or implementation measures that address the needs of disadvantaged communities, low-income households, and small businesses for equitable and prioritized investments in zero-emission technologies that directly benefit these groups.

(b) (1) If a city, county, or city and county has already adopted a similar plan, apart from the general plan, that meets the requirements of this section, the city, county, or city and county may designate that plan to comply with this section.

(2) If the general plan has provisions in existing elements that meet the requirements of this section, the city, county, or city and county may use those provisions to comply with this section.

(c) The requirements of this section shall only apply to a city, county, or city and county with a population greater than 75,000 residents.

(d) A plan adopted pursuant to, or designated to comply with, this section shall be deemed a regional plan for purposes of Section 15125 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.

(e) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Decarbonization” does not include either of the following:

(A) Any building code requirements, except as specified in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).

(B) Any building material requirements.

(2) “Disadvantaged communities” means an area identified by the California Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code, or an area that is a low-income community, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.

(3) “Electrical corporation” has the same meaning as in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code.

(4) “Load-serving entity” has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (k) of Section 380 of the Public Utilities Code.

(5) “Local publicly owned electric utility” has the same meaning as in Section 224.3 of the Public Utilities Code.

(6) “Low-income households” means households of persons and families of very low and low income, as defined in Sections 50093 and 50105 of the Health and Safety Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 356, Sec. 2. (AB 39) Effective January 1, 2026.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) Upon the next revision of a local hazard mitigation plan, adopted in accordance with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390), on or after January 1, 2022, or, if a local jurisdiction has not adopted a local hazard mitigation plan, beginning on or before January 1, 2022, the safety element adopted pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 65302 shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to identify evacuation routes and their capacity, safety, and viability and evacuation locations under a range of emergency scenarios. A county or city that has adopted a local hazard mitigation plan, emergency operations plan, or other document that fulfills commensurate goals and objectives may use that information in the safety element to comply with this section and, in that event, shall summarize and incorporate into the safety element that other plan or document.

(b) After the initial revision of the safety element pursuant to subdivision (a), the planning agency shall review and, if necessary, revise the safety element upon each revision of the housing element or local hazard mitigation plan, but not less than once every eight years, to identify new information relating to flood and fire hazards and climate adaptation and resiliency strategies applicable to the city or county that was not available during the previous revision of the safety element.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 481, Sec. 1. (AB 1409) Effective January 1, 2022.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text: The general plan may include any other elements or address any other subjects which, in the judgment of the legislative body, relate to the physical development of the county or city.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1009, Sec. 9.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text: The Department of Water Resources or the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, as appropriate, and the Department of Fish and Game may develop site design and planning policies to assist local agencies which request help in implementing the general plan guidelines for meeting flood control objectives and other land management needs.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 369, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2008.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text: Cities and counties shall prepare, adopt, and amend general plans and elements of those general plans in the manner provided in this article.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1009, Sec. 13.5.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE

path: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE > 1. PLANNING AND ZONING > 3. Local Planning > 6. Preparation, Adoption, and Amendment of the General Plan


text:
Before the adoption or any substantial amendment of a city’s or county’s general plan, the planning agency shall review and consider all of the following:

(a) An adoption of, or update to, a groundwater sustainability plan or groundwater management plan pursuant to Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) or Part 2.75 (commencing with Section 10750) of Division 6 of the Water Code or groundwater management court order, judgment, or decree.

(b) An adjudication of water rights.

(c) An order or interim plan by the State Water Resources Control Board pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 10735) of Part 2.74 of Division 6 of the Water Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 347, Sec. 2. (AB 1739) Effective January 1, 2015.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE

article: 6. Preparation, Adoption, and Amendment of the General Plan


text: During the preparation or amendment of the general plan, the planning agency shall provide opportunities for the involvement of citizens, California Native American Indian tribes, public agencies, public utility companies, and civic, education, and other community groups, through public hearings and any other means the planning agency deems appropriate.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 22, Sec. 102. Effective January 1, 2006.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) Before a legislative body takes action to adopt or substantially amend a general plan, the planning agency shall refer the proposed action to all of the following entities:

(1) A city or county, within or abutting the area covered by the proposal, and any special district that may be significantly affected by the proposed action, as determined by the planning agency.

(2) An elementary, high school, or unified school district within the area covered by the proposed action.

(3) The local agency formation commission.

(4) An areawide planning agency whose operations may be significantly affected by the proposed action, as determined by the planning agency.

(5) A federal agency, if its operations or lands within its jurisdiction may be significantly affected by the proposed action, as determined by the planning agency.

(6) The branches of the United States Armed Forces that have provided the Office of Planning and Research with a military point of contact pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 65944, if the proposed action is within 1,000 feet of a military installation, or lies within special use airspace, or beneath a low-level flight path, as defined in Section 21098 of the Public Resources Code.

(7) A public water system, as defined in Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code, with 3,000 or more service connections, that serves water to customers within the area covered by the proposal. The public water system shall have at least 45 days to comment on the proposed plan, in accordance with subdivision (b), and to provide the planning agency with the information set forth in Section 65352.5.

(8) Any groundwater sustainability agency that has adopted a groundwater sustainability plan pursuant to Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code or local agency that otherwise manages groundwater pursuant to other provisions of law or a court order, judgment, or decree within the planning area of the proposed general plan.

(9) The State Water Resources Control Board, if it has adopted an interim plan pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 10735) of Part 2.74 of Division 6 of the Water Code that includes territory within the planning area of the proposed general plan.

(10) The Bay Area Air Quality Management District for a proposed action within the boundaries of the district.

(11) A California Native American tribe that is on the contact list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission and that has traditional lands located within the city’s or county’s jurisdiction.

(12) The Central Valley Flood Protection Board for a proposed action within the boundaries of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Drainage District, as set forth in Section 8501 of the Water Code.

(13) (A) The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and every local agency that provides fire protection to territory in the city or county, if the proposed action includes either of the following:

(i) The adoption or amendment of the safety element of its general plan for any county that contains a state responsibility area.

(ii) The adoption or amendment of the safety element of its general plan for any city or county that contains a very high fire hazard severity zone, as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 51177.

(B) A referral made pursuant to this paragraph shall be made no later than the date on which the county or city sends notice of preparation pursuant to Section 21080.4 of the Public Resources Code, if any, for the project.

(b) An entity receiving a proposed general plan or amendment of a general plan pursuant to this section shall have 45 days from the date the referring agency mails it or delivers it to comment unless a longer period is specified by the planning agency.

(c) (1) This section is directory, not mandatory, and the failure to refer a proposed action to the entities specified in this section does not affect the validity of the action, if adopted.

(2) To the extent that the requirements of this section conflict with the requirements of Chapter 4.4 (commencing with Section 65919), the requirements of Chapter 4.4 shall prevail.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 142, Sec. 1. (SB 242) Effective January 1, 2020.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to foster improved communication and coordination between cities, counties, and school districts related to planning for school siting.

(b) Following notification by a local planning agency pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 65352, the governing board of any elementary, high school, or unified school district, in addition to any comments submitted, may request a meeting with the planning agency to discuss possible methods of coordinating planning, design, and construction of new school facilities and schoolsites in coordination with the existing or planned infrastructure, general plan, and zoning designations of the city and county in accordance with subdivision (d). If a meeting is requested, the planning agency shall meet with the school district within 15 days following notification.

(c) At least 45 days prior to completion of a school facility needs analysis pursuant to Section 65995.6, a master plan pursuant to Sections 16011 and 16322 of the Education Code, or other long-range plan, that relates to the potential expansion of existing schoolsites or the necessity to acquire additional schoolsites, the governing board of any school district shall notify and provide copies of any relevant and available information, master plan, or other long-range plan, including, if available, any proposed school facility needs analysis, that relates to the potential expansion of existing schoolsites or the necessity to acquire additional schoolsites, to the planning commission or agency of the city or county with land use jurisdiction within the school district. Following notification, or at any other time, the affected city or county may request a meeting in accordance with subdivision (d). If a meeting is requested, the school district shall meet with the city or county within 15 days following notification. After providing the information specified in this section within the 45-day time period specified in this subdivision, the governing board of the affected school district may complete the affected school facility needs analysis, master plan, or other long-range plan without further delay.

(d) At any meeting requested pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c) the parties may review and consider, but are not limited to, the following issues:

(1) Methods of coordinating planning, design, and construction of new school facilities and schoolsites in coordination with the existing or planned infrastructure, general plan, and zoning designations of the city and county.

(2) Options for the siting of new schools and whether or not the local city or counties existing land use element appropriately reflects the demand for public school facilities, and ensures that new planned development reserves location for public schools in the most appropriate locations.

(3) Methods of maximizing the safety of persons traveling to and from schoolsites.

(4) Opportunities to coordinate the potential siting of new schools in coordination with existing or proposed community revitalization efforts by the city or county.

(5) Opportunities for financial assistance which the local government may make available to assist the school district with site acquisition, planning, or preparation costs.

(6) Review all possible methods of coordinating planning, design, and construction of new school facilities and schoolsites or major additions to existing school facilities and recreation and park facilities and programs in the community.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 587, Sec. 17. Effective January 1, 2004.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) (1) Prior to the adoption or any amendment of a city or county’s general plan, proposed on or after March 1, 2005, the city or county shall conduct consultations with California Native American tribes that are on the contact list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission for the purpose of preserving or mitigating impacts to places, features, and objects described in Sections 5097.9 and 5097.993 of the Public Resources Code that are located within the city or county’s jurisdiction.

(2) From the date on which a California Native American tribe is contacted by a city or county pursuant to this subdivision, the tribe has 90 days in which to request a consultation, unless a shorter timeframe has been agreed to by that tribe.

(b) Consistent with the guidelines developed and adopted by the Office of Planning and Research pursuant to Section 65040.2, the city or county shall protect the confidentiality of information concerning the specific identity, location, character, and use of those places, features, and objects.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 670, Sec. 3. Effective October 7, 2005.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text: For purposes of Section 65351, 65352.3, and 65562.5, “consultation” means the meaningful and timely process of seeking, discussing, and considering carefully the views of others, in a manner that is cognizant of all parties’ cultural values and, where feasible, seeking agreement. Consultation between government agencies and Native American tribes shall be conducted in a way that is mutually respectful of each party’s sovereignty. Consultation shall also recognize the tribes’ potential needs for confidentiality with respect to places that have traditional tribal cultural significance.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 905, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2005.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares that it is vital that there be close coordination and consultation between California’s water supply or management agencies and California’s land use approval agencies to ensure that proper water supply and management planning occurs to accommodate projects that will result in increased demands on water supplies or impact water resource management.

(b) It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature to provide a standardized process for determining the adequacy of existing and planned future water supplies to meet existing and planned future demands on these water supplies and the impact of land use decisions on the management of California’s water supply resources.

(c) Upon receiving, pursuant to Section 65352, notification of a city’s or a county’s proposed action to adopt or substantially amend a general plan, a public water system, as defined in Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code, with 3,000 or more service connections, shall provide the planning agency with the following information, as is appropriate and relevant:

(1) The current version of its urban water management plan, adopted pursuant to Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 10610) of Division 6 of the Water Code.

(2) The current version of its capital improvement program or plan, as reported pursuant to Section 31144.73 of the Water Code.

(3) A description of the source or sources of the total water supply currently available to the water supplier by water right or contract, taking into account historical data concerning wet, normal, and dry runoff years.

(4) A description of the quantity of surface water that was purveyed by the water supplier in each of the previous five years.

(5) A description of the quantity of groundwater that was purveyed by the water supplier in each of the previous five years.

(6) A description of all proposed additional sources of water supplies for the water supplier, including the estimated dates by which these additional sources should be available and the quantities of additional water supplies that are being proposed.

(7) A description of the total number of customers currently served by the water supplier, as identified by the following categories and by the amount of water served to each category:

(A) Agricultural users.

(B) Commercial users.

(C) Industrial users.

(D) Residential users.

(8) Quantification of the expected reduction in total water demand, identified by each customer category set forth in paragraph (7), associated with future implementation of water use reduction measures identified in the water supplier’s urban water management plan.

(9) Any additional information that is relevant to determining the adequacy of existing and planned future water supplies to meet existing and planned future demands on these water supplies.

(d) Upon receiving, pursuant to Section 65352, notification of a city’s or a county’s proposed action to adopt or substantially amend a general plan, a groundwater sustainability agency, as defined in Section 10721 of the Water Code, or an entity that submits an alternative under Section 10733.6 of the Water Code shall provide the planning agency with the following information, as is appropriate and relevant:

(1) The current version of its groundwater sustainability plan or alternative adopted pursuant to Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code.

(2) If the groundwater sustainability agency manages groundwater pursuant to a court order, judgment, decree, or agreement among affected water rights holders, or if the State Water Resources Control Board has adopted an interim plan pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 10735) of Part 2.74 of Division 6 of the Water Code, the groundwater sustainability agency shall provide the planning agency with maps of recharge basins and percolation ponds, extraction limitations, and other relevant information, or the court order, judgment, or decree.

(3) A report on the anticipated effect of proposed action to adopt or substantially amend a general plan on implementation of a groundwater sustainability plan pursuant to Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 231. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) When the city or county has a planning commission authorized by local ordinance or resolution to review and recommend action on a proposed general plan or proposed amendments to the general plan, the commission shall hold at least one public hearing before approving a recommendation on the adoption or amendment of a general plan. Notice of the hearing shall be given pursuant to Section 65090.

(b) If a proposed general plan or amendments to a general plan would affect the permitted uses or intensity of uses of real property, notice of the hearing shall also be given pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 65091.

(c) If the number of owners to whom notice would be mailed or delivered pursuant to subdivision (b) is greater than 1,000, a local agency may, in lieu of mailed or delivered notice, provide notice by publishing notice pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 65091.

(d) If the hearings held under this section are held at the same time as hearings under Section 65854, the notice of the hearing may be combined.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 382, Sec. 5. (SB 194) Effective January 1, 2012.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text: The planning commission shall make a written recommendation on the adoption or amendment of a general plan. A recommendation for approval shall be made by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the total membership of the commission. The planning commission shall send its recommendation to the legislative body.

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) A city or county with a planning agency, other than the legislative body itself, which has the authority to consider and recommend the approval, conditional approval, or disapproval of a proposed amendment to a general plan, shall establish procedures for any interested party to file a written request for a hearing by the legislative body with its clerk within five days after the planning agency acts on the proposed amendment. Notice of the hearing shall be given pursuant to Section 65090.

(b) The legislative body may establish a fee to cover the cost of establishing the procedures and conducting the hearing pursuant to subdivision (a). The legislative body shall impose the fee pursuant to Section 66016.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1572, Sec. 8.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text: Prior to adopting or amending a general plan, the legislative body shall hold at least one public hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be given pursuant to Section 65090.

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) The legislative body shall adopt or amend a general plan by resolution, which resolution shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the total membership of the legislative body. The legislative body may approve, modify, or disapprove the recommendation of the planning commission, if any. However, any substantial modification proposed by the legislative body not previously considered by the commission during its hearings, shall first be referred to the planning commission for its recommendation. The failure of the commission to report within 45 calendar days after the reference, or within the time set by the legislative body, shall be deemed a recommendation for approval.

(b) A general plan of a charter city shall be adopted by resolution of the legislative body of the city, or the planning commission if the charter so provides.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 856, Sec. 2. (SB 1333) Effective January 1, 2019.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) A copy of the adopted general plan or amendment to the general plan shall be sent to all public entities specified in Section 65352 and any other public entities that submitted comments on the proposed general plan or amendment to the general plan during its preparation. Failure to send the adopted general plan or amendment as provided in this section shall not affect its validity in any manner.

(b) Copies of the documents adopting or amending the general plan, including the diagrams and text, shall be made available to the general public as follows:

(1) Within one working day following the date of adoption, the clerk of the legislative body shall make the documents adopting or amending the plan, including the diagrams and text, available to the public for inspection.

(2) Within two working days after receipt of a request for a copy of the adopted documents adopting or amending the plan, including the diagrams and text, accompanied by payment for the reasonable cost of copying, the clerk shall furnish the requested copy to the person making the request.

(c) A city or county may charge a fee for a copy of the general plan or amendments to the general plan that is reasonably related to the cost of providing that document.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 338, Sec. 1.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) If it deems it to be in the public interest, the legislative body may amend all or part of an adopted general plan. An amendment to the general plan shall be initiated in the manner specified by the legislative body. Notwithstanding Section 66016, a legislative body that permits persons to request an amendment of the general plan may require that an amount equal to the estimated cost of preparing the amendment be deposited with the planning agency prior to the preparation of the amendment.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c) or (d), no mandatory element of a general plan shall be amended more frequently than four times during any calendar year. Subject to that limitation, an amendment may be made at any time, as determined by the legislative body. Each amendment may include more than one change to the general plan.

(c) The limitation on the frequency of amendments to a general plan contained in subdivision (b) does not apply to amendments of the general plan requested and necessary for a single development of residential units, at least 25 percent of which will be occupied by or available to persons and families of low or moderate income, as defined by Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code. The specified percentage of low- or moderate-income housing may be developed on the same site as the other residential units proposed for development, or on another site or sites encompassed by the general plan, in which case the combined total number of residential units shall be considered a single development proposal for purposes of this section.

(d) This section does not apply to the adoption of any element of a general plan or to the amendment of any element of a general plan in order to comply with any of the following:

(1) A court decision made pursuant to Article 14 (commencing with Section 65750).

(2) Subdivision (b) of Section 65302.3.

(3) Subdivision (b) of Section 30500 of the Public Resources Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 343, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2008.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text: Any specific plan or other plan of the city or county that is applicable to the same areas or matters affected by a general plan amendment shall be reviewed and amended as necessary to make the specific or other plan consistent with the general plan.

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
The legislative body of a newly incorporated city or newly formed county shall adopt a general plan within 30 months following incorporation or formation. During that 30-month period of time, the city or county is not subject to the requirement that a general plan be adopted or the requirements of state law that its decisions be consistent with the general plan, if all of the following requirements are met:

(a) The city or county is proceeding in a timely fashion with the preparation of the general plan.

(b) The planning agency finds, in approving projects and taking other actions, including the issuance of building permits, pursuant to this title, each of the following:

(1) There is a reasonable probability that the land use or action proposed will be consistent with the general plan proposal being considered or studied or which will be studied within a reasonable time.

(2) There is little or no probability of substantial detriment to or interference with the future adopted general plan if the proposed use or action is ultimately inconsistent with the plan.

(3) The proposed use or action complies with all other applicable requirements of state law and local ordinances.

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon application by a city or county, the Director of Planning and Research shall grant a reasonable extension of time not to exceed two years from the date of issuance of the extension, for the preparation and adoption of all or part of the general plan, if the legislative body of the city or county, after a public hearing, makes any of the following findings:

(1) Data required for the general plan shall be provided by another agency and it has not yet been provided.

(2) In spite of sufficient budgetary provisions and substantial recruiting efforts, the city or county has not been able to obtain necessary staff or consultant assistance.

(3) A disaster has occurred requiring reassignment of staff for an extended period or requiring a complete reevaluation and revision of the general plan, or both.

(4) Local review procedures require an extended public review process that has resulted in delaying the decision by the legislative body.

(5) The city or county is jointly preparing all or part of the general plan with one or more other jurisdictions pursuant to an existing agreement and timetable for completion.

(6) Other reasons exist that justify the granting of an extension, so that the timely preparation and adoption of a general plan is promoted.

(b) The director shall not grant an extension of time for the preparation and adoption of a housing element except in the case of a newly incorporated city or newly formed county that cannot meet the deadline set by Section 65360. Before the director grants an extension of time pursuant to this subdivision, he or she shall consult with the Director of Housing and Community Development.

(c) The application for an extension shall contain all of the following:

(1) A resolution of the legislative body of the city or county adopted after public hearing setting forth in detail the reasons why the general plan was not previously adopted as required by law or needs to be revised, including one or more of the findings made by the legislative body pursuant to subdivision (a), and the amount of additional time necessary to complete the preparation and adoption of the general plan.

(2) A detailed budget and schedule for preparation and adoption of the general plan, including plans for citizen participation and expected interim action. The budget and schedule shall be of sufficient detail to allow the director to assess the progress of the applicant at regular intervals during the term of the extension. The schedule shall provide for adoption of a complete and adequate general plan within two years of the date of the application for the extension.

(3) A set of proposed policies and procedures which would ensure, during the extension of time granted pursuant to this section, that the land use proposed in an application for a subdivision, rezoning, use permit, variance, or building permit will be consistent with the general plan proposal being considered or studied.

(d) The director may impose any conditions on extensions of time granted that the director deems necessary to ensure compliance with the purposes and intent of this title. Those conditions shall apply only to those parts of the general plan for which the extension has been granted. In establishing those conditions, the director may adopt or modify and adopt any of the policies and procedures proposed by the city or county pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c).

(e) During the extension of time specified in this section, the city or county is not subject to the requirement that a complete and adequate general plan be adopted, or the requirements that it be adopted within a specific period of time. Development approvals shall be consistent with those portions of the general plan for which an extension has been granted, except as provided by the conditions imposed by the director pursuant to subdivision (d). Development approvals shall be consistent with any element or elements that have been adopted and for which an extension of time is not sought.

(f) If a city or county that is granted a time extension pursuant to this section determines that it cannot complete the elements of the general plan for which the extension has been granted within the prescribed time period, the city or county may request one additional extension of time, which shall not exceed one year, if the director determines that the city or county has made substantial progress toward the completion of the general plan. This subdivision shall not apply to an extension of time granted pursuant to subdivision (b).

(g) An extension of time granted pursuant to this section for the preparation and adoption of all or part of a city or county general plan is exempt from Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 872, Sec. 62. Effective January 1, 1997.)

title: 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE