Frequently Asked Questions
What is required in a General Plan?​​
California law requires the General Plan include a minimum of eight State-mandated Elements: Land Use, Open Space, Conservation, Housing, Environmental Justice, Circulation, Noise and Safety. Beyond the mandatory elements of the General Plan, there is a great deal of flexibility to address local conditions and circumstances through additional elements.
The General Plan may also cover additional topics related to land use and development, such as economic development, the arts, public health and community services. There is significant flexibility in how the plan is structured, allowing these topics to be thoughtfully integrated throughout rather than assigned their own dedicated chapters. Even if a subject doesn’t have a standalone section, it remains an important part of the overall vision and may be woven into multiple chapters of the Plan.
​​What area does the General Plan cover?​​
The General Plan covers land within the City of Davis and its Planning Area—approximately 160 square miles. This includes areas beyond City limits, bounded by County Road 27 to the north, the Yolo Bypass to the east, Tremont Road and the I-80 interchange at Pedrick Road to the south and County Road 93 to the west.
​How often should the General Plan be updated?​​
​The State Office of Planning and Research (OPR) recommends that General Plans be comprehensively updated every 10-15 years to reflect changes in community values, economic conditions and emerging issues and challenges. However, apart from the Housing Element, there is no legal requirement from the State to regularly update the General Plan.
The last time the City of Davis completed a comprehensive General Plan update was 2001, with amendments in 2007. While this process will comprehensively update the General Plan, some sections may be carried forward from the 2001 General Plan.
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​How long will the General Plan update take?​​
​The General Plan is estimated to take two to three years to complete.
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​Are there any requirements for how the General Plan is organized?
​No. Each jurisdiction may decide the overall structure of the General Plan (i.e., how the “elements” are organized) so long as all requirements are included. Communities are encouraged to organize the General Plan in any way that reflects the values of the community and is usable by the jurisdiction.
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​Is any topic more important than another? ​
​No. While some believe that land use and circulation are the most important topics, all elements (and individual goals, objectives, policies and actions) carry equal weight. Once added to the General Plan, each element, regardless of whether it is optional or required, assumes the same legal standing.
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​​Are there consequences from the State for not maintaining an up-to-date General Plan?
​Except for the Housing Element, which is required to be updated every eight years, there are no legal consequences if the City does not update its General Plan on a regular basis. Communities are required to submit annual progress reports to the State on General Plan implementation. However, having an up-to-date General Plan allows the City to stay current with the evolving needs of the community, reflect current community values and provide a clear vision for land use and development. Meeting all State requirements in a General Plan also allows the City to gain access to grant funding.
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​What recent State legislation must be addressed in the General Plan?
​The State legislature regularly modifies or creates new General Plan requirements. The requirements must be met at the next update of the General Plan. The following is a list of some, but not all, of the recent State legislation that must be included:
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Climate Resilience through Open Space (SB 1425). Requires that Open Space Elements address equitable access to open space, incorporate strategies for enhanced climate resilience and rewilding opportunities.
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Environmental Justice Element (SB 1000). While only required in certain communities, Davis is proactively including Environmental Justice in this update. Either as a stand-alone element or across all General Plan elements, Environmental Justice will address historical inequities and promote environmental health and access across all neighborhoods.
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Complete Streets (AB 1358). Requires the jurisdictions include “complete streets” concepts into the General Plan, which necessitates an update to the City’s Circulation Element.
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Climate Change and Resilience (SB 379). Requires that the General Plan address climate adaptation and resilience strategies in the Safety Element.
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Tribal Consultation (AB 52 and SB 18). Requires consultation with local Native American tribes in and around the city.
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Fire Hazards (SB 1241). Requires that the Safety Element include the most recent version of the State’s “Fire Hazard Planning” document.
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Vehicle Miles Traveled (SB 743). Requires changing how transportation impacts from new development are measured under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
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Is the General Plan subject to CEQA?
​Yes. Like other decisions in a community, the General Plan is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and a full program Environmental Impact Assessment (EIR) is required for adoption of a comprehensive or major update to a General Plan. The City of Davis will begin the CEQA process around the time of the draft General Plan preparation.
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Who can get involved in the update and how?
​The General Plan Update is an opportunity for community members and other community partners to discuss how the City will evolve over the next 25 years. There will be many opportunities to participate, including community workshops, pop-up events, online engagement and public hearings. You can join the email list to receive updates on upcoming events.
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Other questions?
​If you have any questions, or would like to provide us with comments, please email the General Plan Project Coordinator, Melissa Stark, at mstark@cityofdavis.org​​
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