Contra Costa County has passed a major milestone in renewing its Urban Limit Line (ULL)!
At the June 24th Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisors accepted Staff’s recommendation to prepare for an Urban Limit Line ballot measure and bring the renewal proposal before voters in 2026.
Greenbelt Alliance is proud to stand alongside residents, farmers, and climate advocates in defending the Urban Limit Line. We reviewed the proposed lines and provided a comment letter, outlining our support and recommendations. Now, we look forward to contributing to the process by advocating for the ballot measure next year.
Established in 1990 through Measure C, the ULL has stood as a community-backed land use tool to safeguard the county’s open spaces, farms, ridgelines, and natural beauty from unchecked sprawl development, while driving growth in areas already served by infrastructure.
What’s New in This Update
- A Vision Through 2051: County staff proposed extending the ULL for another 25 years, showing a long-term commitment to smart growth and environmental stewardship.
- Preparing for Climate-Smart Reforms: For the first time, future ULL adjustments would need to consider climate risks, including wildfire zones, sea level rise, and flooding.
- Tidying the Boundary: The County is proposing to eliminate small “islands” of land that fall outside the ULL but are already surrounded by development, making enforcement easier and more consistent.
Later this year, the Board of Supervisors will vote on placing the renewed ULL on the June 2026 ballot. There are still more steps in the process, but we are energized by the opportunity to shape the strongest version possible.
Why Urban Limit Lines Matter
ULLs are one of the most effective planning tools to manage growth effectively. As the name suggests, they define the limits/boundaries where cities can and cannot grow, ensuring that development stays within areas already served by infrastructure, schools, and transit. The Urban Limit Line is approved by voters in Contra Costa County, meaning that any changes to the line require voter approval before being implemented.
Without these limits, we risk losing our most precious landscapes: farmland that feeds us, creeks and wetlands that protect us from flooding, and open spaces that offer respite and biodiversity. We also risk fueling more sprawl, longer car commutes, more greenhouse gas emissions, and deeper segregation between communities with resources and those without.
ULLs help us grow smarter, not farther.
At Greenbelt Alliance, we believe that how we grow matters. For over 65 years, we’ve fought to protect Contra Costa’s greenbelts and shape thriving, inclusive communities. We’re especially inspired to see Contra Costa leading with climate foresight—ensuring the ULL doesn’t just stop sprawl, but steers us toward resilience and equity.
Help Us Defend the Line
We’ll be working with partners and residents across the county to:
- Elevate community voices, especially from areas facing climate risks and displacement;
- Advocate for resilient, equitable development within the ULL;
- Rally public support to support the renewal of the ULL if and when it becomes a ballot measure.
For Contra Costa communities, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to smart growth and climate action.
Stay tuned for ways to take action and follow Greenbelt Alliance social media channels and mailing list to receive tailored updates!
More information is available on the Envision Contra Costa 2040 website.
