Planning basics

The General Plan sets the city's long-term policy for land use, roads, safety, noise, open space and housing. The city's General Plan page posts the May 2012 update chapter by chapter, along with its maps (including the future land use map) and the environmental report. It also posts a separate Environmental Justice element and a Public Safety chapter with an SB 99 appendix Verified1. We link to the maps instead of copying them.

Chapter 1 lists the elements. Chapter 3 is Land Use and Character, followed by Public Safety, Public Facilities, Noise, Open Space and Conservation, Circulation, and Housing (Chapter 9). The plan's horizon is the year 2030 Verified2.

How it changes. The Planning Commission holds a public hearing and makes a written recommendation. Then the City Council holds its own hearing and adopts the change by resolution, by a majority of its full membership Verified2. State law (Gov. Code §65358(b)) limits changes to the required elements to four a year, though each change can cover several items. Chapter 1 explains this on its first pages Verified2.

The most recent amendment we found is Ordinance 266-25 (Apr 16, 2025). It changed the plan and rezoned two sites for an EV and low-carbon fuels travel center. See the ordinance index Verified6.

One inconsistency. The city's Zoning page says the General Plan was adopted in 1988, but the General Plan page posts a 2012 update Verified7,1. Both can be true: 1988 may be the original adoption. Ask the Planning Department which version is in force.

The zoning code (Title 17) says which uses are allowed in each district, how big buildings can be, and how far back they must sit. Its 11 districts are:

Source: Table 17.01.020.1 Verified3. Overlay districts, like the Highway Overlay changed by Ordinance 269-25, add rules on top Verified6.

Our reading: the map is law, just like the text. The copy on file at the Planning Department controls over any other copy, including the PDF online. Where a boundary is unclear, the planning director decides Verified3.

The posted map. The zoning map PDF is dated May 2012 Verified4. Rezonings since then, such as Ordinance 266-25, may not be on it Verified6. Before you rely on a zone for a specific lot, ask the Planning Department.

Design review looks at a project's layout, landscaping, parking, signs and appearance, and how well it fits its neighborhood. Projects are checked against the city's Design Review Manual, which is based on §17.05.270 of the zoning code Verified8,5.

• Who reviews: the planning director checks minor projects against the manual. The Planning Commission does design review and makes the final site plan and building design decisions Verified5.
• The design review committee has two planning commissioners and one at-large resident with design experience. The Council appoints the at-large member Verified5.
• Certain housing projects are reviewed only against objective (measurable) standards, as state law requires Verified5.
• The manual is a long PDF linked from the Design Review Manual page. That page invites comments from the public Verified8.

Source: §17.05.220 Verified5. The code lists conditional use permits under both the Council and the Planning Commission. Ask the Planning Department which body hears a given application.

For an appeal of the director's interpretation, the code allows 10 days to file. Owners within 300 feet don't have to show they were harmed. Notice of the hearing is mailed to owners within 300 feet and published at least 15 days ahead (§17.05.260.4) Verified5. Check the exact deadline on the official code before you file.