General Plan

« Back to Land-Use Planning Dictionary

The blueprint for planning and development within a jurisdiction over a certain planning horizon, usually 10 or 20 years. A statement of policies, including text and diagrams setting forth objectives, principles, standards and plan proposals, for the long-term future physical development of the city or county. The general plan is a legal document required of each local jurisdiction by the State of California Government Code section 653o1 and adopted by the city council or board of supervisors. In California, the general plan has seven mandatory elements (circulation, conservation, housing, land use, noise, open space, safety and seismic safety) and may include any number of optional elements (such as air quality, economic development, hazardous waste, and parks and recreation). The general plan may also be called a city plan, comprehensive plan, or master plan.

Scroll to Top