About the General Plan

It’s a policy document.

A General Plan sets forth the City’s long-range planning policies that reflect the aspirations and values of residents, land owners, businesses, and organizations within the community. The City Council and Planning Commission use the General Plan when considering land use and planning-related decisions, and City staff use the General Plan in administering land use and development activities. Residents can reference the General Plan to understand the City’s approach to development.

It’s a legal document.

A General Plan is a legal document, and much of its content, such as background data, analysis, maps, and exhibits, is established by statutory requirements. California law requires every city and county to prepare and adopt a comprehensive long-range General Plan to form the basis for zoning, subdivision, and public works actions.

It’s a comprehensive document.

A General Plan is considered comprehensive because it addresses a wide range of issues that affect a city such as the physical development of the jurisdiction or economic and social concerns that can affect the overall quality of life. A General Plan is considered “long-term” because it looks 20 years or more into the future. Each jurisdiction can establish a time horizon that best fits its individual needs. The State General Plan Guidelines recommend that General Plans be updated every five to ten years to ensure that they remain relevant and reflect local physical and demographic changes and broader changes in culture and technology.

The elements in the Santa Ana General Plan address topics required by state law and a number that are optional, but of importance to the Santa Ana community.

Some topics are discussed entirely within a single element while others are touched on throughout multiple elements. The list below includes general guidance on which elements include the most information related to each topic.

To see how the General Plan is organized by Volume and Element, go to Elements.

To see how the General Plan addresses these topics and many others, go to Search Elements by Topic.

Required topics

• Circulation and complete streets (see Mobility Element, including Related General Plan Policies (Table M-3))
• Climate adaptation and resiliency (primarily addressed in the Safety Element, supported by goals and policies in other elements)
• Conservation (see Conservation Element, including Related General Plan Policies (Table CN-2))
• Environmental justice (integrated throughout the General Plan, with a focus in the Community, Mobility, Open Space, and Safety Elements)
• Housing (see Housing Element)
• Land use (see Land Use Element, including Related General Plan Policies (Table LU-1))
• Noise (see Noise Element, including Related General Plan Policies (Table N-2))
• Open space (see Open Space Element, including Related General Plan Policies (Table OS-2)
• Public utilities and facilities (see Public Services, including Related General Plan Policies (Table PS-1))
• Safety (see Safety Element, including Related General Plan Policies (Table S-1))

Optional topics

• Air quality (primarily addressed in the Conservation Element, supported by goals and policies in other elements)
• Community (see Community Element, including Related General Plan Policies (Table CM-1))
• Economic prosperity (see Economic Prosperity Element, including Related General Plan Policies (Table EP-1))
• Historic preservation (see Historic Preservation Element, including Related General Plan Policies (Table HP-1))
• Urban design (see Urban Design Element, including Related General Plan Policies (Table UD-1))

City Decision Makers & Staff

The City Council, Planning Commission, other advisory entities, and City staff will use the General Plan when considering land use and planning-related decisions, in administering regulations, and when considering investments of time, money, or other resources.
All decisions made by City decision makers and staff is to be consistent with the Vision, Core Values, goals, and policies of the General Plan.

City Residents & Businesses

City residents and those who operate businesses in Santa Ana can use the General Plan to better understand current and future decisions and investments made by the City government, other agencies, service providers, property owners, and other stakeholders.
Residents and business owners can also use the General Plan as a guide to actions they can take to take part in improving their community; whether it is to simply create a better place to live and work, promote environmental health, or to protect your investment and achieve future success.