General Plan

A comprehensive, long-range policy document adopted by a city or county that establishes the vision, goals, and policies guiding land use, development, transportation, housing, and other community issues.

What is a General Plan?

A general plan (called a comprehensive plan in many states) is the foundational long-range planning document that establishes a municipality's vision for physical development, land use, transportation, housing, open space, and public services. It is adopted by the city council or county board and serves as the policy framework that guides all subsequent zoning decisions, capital improvements, and development approvals.

Required Elements

In California, state law requires general plans to address seven mandatory elements: land use, circulation (transportation), housing, conservation, open space, noise, and safety. Many jurisdictions also include optional elements addressing sustainability, economic development, community design, and other topics. Other states have different requirements, but most require some form of comprehensive plan.

General Plan and Zoning

The general plan establishes broad policy direction, while zoning implements that policy through specific regulations. Zoning must be consistent with the general plan — a zoning designation that conflicts with the general plan can be challenged as invalid. For developers, reviewing the general plan during due diligence reveals whether a site's current zoning is consistent with long-term policy or likely to change.

General Plan Updates

General plans are periodically updated to reflect changing community conditions, new state legislation, and evolving priorities. Updates involve extensive public participation and environmental review. A general plan amendment can change the land use designation for a specific property, potentially enabling development that was not previously allowed.