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

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In some instances, land use policies provide the basis for requiring exactions and development fees of new projects (for example, 
parks and recreational facilities under the Quimby Act of 1975 (
Gov. Code § 66477
). The distribution of land use categories that 
are reflected in the plan diagram must conform to the plan’s policies. Law does not require existing development to fully adhere 
to all of the development policies set forth by the plan; however, new and future development must be in uniform compliance. 
The land use element requirements provide an opportunity to determine the future of a community. By ensuring thoughtful, 
equitable, and accessible distribution of different densities, intensities, and land uses and by aligning with other general plan 
elements, the land use element can address long term environmental issues such as 
climate change
, enhance 
local economies
, 
reduce infrastructure costs, facilitate 
healthy lifestyles
, improve 
air quality
, increase 
transportation choices
, create community 
resilience, also address emerging developments in technology, such as connected and autonomous vehicles, and resulting 
changes in land use, and promote quality 
housing
 for all residents of the community. 
Housing, Business, and Industry
Requirement Description:
A land use element must designate the general distribution, location and allowable intensity of use for housing, business, and 
industry. To do so, a jurisdiction should
• Examine population data, including regional and local population and growth forecasts.
• Identify demographic trends (age, income, persons per household, vehicle ownership rates, etc.). 
• Inventory existing residential, commercial, and industrial land use in the planning area. 
• Identify key community assets (i.e., a thriving downtown, waterfronts, or open spaces, particularly those identified in the open 
space and conservation elements) that should be enhanced or preserved. 
• Identify geographic, fiscal, and institutional limitations that may affect the location and type of future growth, such as 
infrastructure capacity (water and energy service, sewage treatment, storm drainage adequacy, fiber optics, etc.) and 
environmental concerns (flooding, fire hazard, noise, etc.).
• Consider functional and physical differentiation of land uses – neighborhoods, districts, corridors, employment centers, etc.
• Analyze existing urban form – blocks, connectivity, building footprints, relationship to street frontages, parking allocations, etc. 
• Analyze properties subject to land use development—vacant, underdeveloped, transit-oriented, etc.—and include a discussion 
of the methodology used to identify such properties. 
• Determine project needs for specific land use considerations, including watershed and groundwater recharge; residential, 
commercial, and industrial development based upon estimates of future population; anticipated changes in environmental 
conditions such as those resulting from 
climate change
; and economic conditions. 
Additionally, the land use element should consider the appropriate methodology for identifying land use designations aligned 
with general plan goals. For example, it may designate residential and commercial growth in a series of connected areas or 

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along existing transit routes so as to encourage 
compact development
 and promote access for various populations, or it may 
require buffer zones surrounding industrial land and hazardous materials sites.
The general plan tends to be more about long-range planning and looking forward. However, considering current conditions 
and past planning decisions is important to ensure that the land use element does not perpetuate or exacerbate existing 
problems. Data and tools such as the California Environmental Protection Agency’s 
Office of Environmental Health Hazard 
Assessment
 has developed 
Cal EnviroScreen
 as a screening methodology that identifies California communities that are 
disproportionately burdened by pollution. In the context of planning for future growth, such data may inform future decisions 
about whether certain locations are appropriate for additional commercial and industrial facilities. It is good planning for all 
jurisdictions to address this. Certain jurisdictions subjected to SB 1000 will now be required to address environmental justice 
issues. (See EJ section and Chapter 5 for more information on equity and environmental justice). 
Land use decisions can have other significant impacts on health. Increases in density, development intensity, and a mix of land 
uses can promote physical activity and the use of active transportation and transit. The use of flexible and context sensitive 
urban design strategies can promote
 walkable and bikeable environments
, which has been shown to be beneficial for health.
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Intent of analysis
Recommended Data
Identify locations in need of particular community assets.
Population density (US Census).
Identify potential gaps in services.
Types of businesses geographically.
Support mixed-use communities and vibrant places supportive of recre-
ation, retail, and housing.
Diversity of functional zoning.
Open Space, Including Agricultural Land, Natural Resources, and Recreation
Requirement Description:
A land use element must provide for the general location and distribution of land uses for “open space, including agriculture, 
natural resources, recreation, and enjoyment of scenic beauty” (
Gov. Code § 65302(a)
). Determining policies and locations for 
open space in the land use element may help create a foundation to build detailed policies in the 
conservation
 and 
open space
 
element, or connect to themes such as 
economic development
, 
climate change
, 
equity
, or 
healthy communities
 for general plans 
not organized by elements. 
The land use diagram should designate and correspond to the inventory of existing open space and identify public land for 
future open space, as detailed in the open space element. This may include designation of parks, greenways, forests, community 
gardens, public beaches, fishing piers, access points to marine protected areas, and other open space categories identified by 
the community. Promoting equitable access to parks, open space, and recreational assets, will afford all communities the 
opportunity to be physically active.

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