A city (or county) is not an accident but the result of coherent visions and aims

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Land Use Element 
Introduction
The most fundamental decisions in planning begin with land use: what to put where. Land use planning envisions the future of 
a city or county and interacts with all other elements of planning. At its best, the land use element will reflect the community’s 
vision; promote thoughtful, equitable, and accessible distribution of different land uses, including residential, commercial, 
industrial, agricultural, and open space; and align well with other general plan elements. Planners can also use the land 
use element as a tool to improve 
public health
, reduce infrastructure costs, enhance 
local economies
, and address long-term 
environmental issues such as 
climate change 
and water resources. 
The land use element can also help resolve conflicts and identify trade-offs in land use decisions. For example, increasing 
density may result in a higher population, but it can also help enhance water supply reliability, reduce long-term costs 
of infrastructure maintenance, improve water use efficiency, land conservation, housing and transit options, and equity. 
Designating “least-conflict” areas for solar development may increase energy independence and generate local economic 
benefits while also preserving valuable agricultural lands. Pursuing urban 
infill
 projects may require higher intensity 
development directed at a limited number of parcels varying in suitability, but infill may also allow for more accessible transit 
and walkability thus reducing vehicle miles traveled and subsequent greenhouse gas emissions. Identifying and resolving such 
issues in the land use element can result in development patterns that are predictable, coherent, and reflect community values.
Gov. Code § 65302 (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). 

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In this way, the land use element functions as a guide to planners, the general public, and decision makers. Its objectives, 
policies, and programs relate directly to the other elements. In practice, the land use element is often the most visible and 
frequently used element in a general plan.
C O R R E L A T I O N S   A M O N G   E L E M E N T S
n 
Identified in statute     
n 
Closely related to statutory requirements
(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 men and women 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.
 
Circulation
Housing
Conservation
Open Space
Noise
Safety
EJ
Land Use
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

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California Government Code Section
Brief Description of Requirement
§ 65302(a)
General distribution, location, and extent of:
§ 65302(a)
Housing 
         Density and intensity 
         Potential for flooding impacts. 
§ 65302(a)
Business 
         Density and intensity 
         Potential for flood?
§ 65302(a)
Industry 
         Density and intensity 
         Potential for flood?
§ 65302(a)
Open space, including agriculture, natural resources, recreation, and scenic resources 
         Potential for flood?
§ 65302(a)
Education 
         Density and intensity 
         Potential for flood?
§ 65302(a)
Public facilities 
         Density and intensity 
         Potential for flood?
§ 65302(a)
Solid and liquid waste disposal 
         Density and intensity 
         Potential for flood?
§ 65302(a)(1)
Timberland Production 
         Intensity 
         Potential for flood?
§ 65302(a)
Other 
        Density and intensity 
        Potential for flood?
§ 65302(a)
Greenways, as defined in Civil Code Section 816.52
§ 65302(a)
Identify areas subject to flood plain mapping Annual review
§ 65302(a)(2)
Impact on military land use compatibility and readiness 
§ 65302(b)(1)
Correlation with the circulation element 
Completeness Checklist
Local agency staff can use the following checklist to help ensure that the land use element addresses all required issues. Please 
note that use of this checklist is purely advisory, and only contains issues that are legally required in 
Government Code section 
65302(a)
. Conservation elements may address additional issues at the discretion of the local government. Because general plan 
formats may vary, this checklist suggests identifying where the particular government code provision is satisfied.

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