About the Project
Overview
The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI), California’s principal planning agency, is kicking off a comprehensive update of the State’s General Plan Guidelines, Specific Plan Guidelines, and Tribal Consultation Guidelines. These documents are collectively known as LCI’s Planning Guidelines. Our update will engage diverse partners like planners, local staff and officials, and community partners to shape guidance that supports local planning efforts and fosters the growth of a vibrant, resilient and inclusive California.
Timeline for the Project
This project is divided into five key phases of work. The project is kicking off in 2025 and is scheduled to conclude in 2027 with the release of the final LCI Planning Guidelines documents and website. For more details on the engagement schedule, see the Engagement page.
Read the Project Timeline in a Text Format
- Project Initiation
- Kick off the project by identifying timelines, project plans, and community partners to involve in the process.
- Opportunities and Challenges—We Are Here
- Explore and identify opportunities and challenges and capture feedback on the preliminary structure and content of the guidelines.
- Initial Draft
- Present an initial public draft of the guidelines for state agency and topic-specific advisory group review.
- Open House Draft
- Present a complete draft of the guidelines for public review.
- Final Public Draft Guidelines
- Present the final public draft guidelines and the interactive guidelines website. After public review, the guidelines will be updated and finalized. This is expected to occur in spring 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Guidelines Are Being Updated?
General Plan Guidelines
The General Plan Guidelines (2017) are a key resource for California’s local governments and community partners to prepare and update general plans. These guidelines outline statutory requirements, offer policy language recommendations, and provide examples of cities and counties that have adopted similar policies across both mandatory and elements. The guidelines strive to support local governments and other community partners in crafting plans that reflect state law while addressing community needs and priorities.
Specific Plan Guidelines
The Specific Plan Guidelines (2001) provide local governments and community partners with information and requirements for developing specific plans. The guidelines detail the relationship between general and specific plans, the advantages of creating a specific plan, and provide innovative examples of specific plans and their use. The guidelines provide direction, clarify uncertainties and share resources for creating specific plans.
Tribal Consultation Guidelines
The Tribal Consultation Guidelines (2005) offer advisory guidance to local governments on the Tribal consultation process during the adoption or amendment of local general plans and specific plans. The guidelines supply readers with the basic requirements of SB 18, outline what triggers Tribal consultation and provide guidance on facilitating the consultation process. The guidelines aim to cultivate a collaborative and comprehensive land use planning process.
Why Are These LCI Planning Guidelines Important?
The LCI Planning Guidelines are critical resources for local governments and community partners because they:
- Create greater consistency in plans throughout the state;
- Ensure that local jurisdictions are meeting state planning goals such as addressing climate change and expanding housing opportunities;
- Strengthen collaboration between local governments, communities and Tribal partners;
- Support inclusive visioning and community engagement processes;
- Enhance competitiveness for funding opportunities from state and federal entities; and
- Improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of planning.
Why Are the General Plan Guidelines Being Updated?
The General Plan Guidelines were last updated in 2017. State policy has changed a lot in the last eight years and an update is needed to reflect these changes and ensure local jurisdictions and their partners have the tools and resources needed to create innovative and legally defensible general plans. The updated guidelines will:
- Include information on new legislation with direction on how jurisdictions should interpret and implement state laws at the local level. Include tools and resources, such as policy examples, checklists, and “how to” guides to assist with updating general plans.
- Be presented as an interactive website to allow users to more easily find relevant information.
Why Are the Specific Plan Guidelines Being Updated?
The Specific Plan Guidelines, which were last updated nearly 25 years ago, require a comprehensive revision to align with current planning trends. Like the General Plan Guidelines, the updated Specific Plan Guidelines will offer planners valuable tools and resources and will be available in an interactive, web-based format.
Why Are the Tribal Consultation Guidelines Being Updated?
The State of California’s Tribal Consultation Guidelines are being updated to ensure they reflect current planning trends and legislative changes. Like the Specific Plan Guidelines, the Tribal Consultation Guidelines are over 20 years old and currently do not reflect the latest developments in land use planning and Tribal consultation processes. The updated guidelines aim to provide more comprehensive and effective tools and resources for local governments to facilitate meaningful and collaborative consultations with Tribal governments, fostering a more inclusive and respectful planning process.
Who Will Use These Guidelines?
The LCI Planning Guidelines are intended to involve a wide range of audiences, including local government staff, consultants, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, Tribes, other government agencies, elected and appointed officials, and individual community partners like residents, developers and business owners.
How Can I Get Involved?
There are many opportunities for interested parties to help shape the direction of the new LCI Planning Guidelines. The best way to hear about these opportunities is to complete the interest form. We will send regular updates letting you know about workshops, surveys and other ways to express your ideas.
Who is Writing the Guidelines?
The guidelines update is being led by the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI). LCI is working with a team of planning consultants to write the guidelines and lead engagement. The consultant team is led by Raimi + Associates and supported by Rincon Consultants, Fehr & Peers, Strategic Economics, Atlas Planning Solutions, ChangeLab Solutions, Page & Turnbull, and Veronica Tam & Associates.
