About Land Use Policy: Guide to the General Plan
Click here to download PDF of a larger version of the General Plan Elements chart above. To secure a hard copy of any of the General Plan Elements, please contact the Planning and Development Zoning Counter at (805) 568-2090.
Guide to the General Plan Elements
Land Use Element: One of the broadest elements of the General Plan, the Land Use Element lays out the general patterns of development throughout the County, including the distribution of real estate, open space and agricultural land, mineral resources, recreational facilities, schools, and waste facilities.
Community and Specific Plans: "Community plans" and "specific plans" are often used by cities and counties to plan the future of a particular area at a finer level of detail than that provided by the general plan. A community plan is a portion of the local general plan focusing on the issues pertinent to a particular area or community within the city or county. A specific plan is a special set of development standards that apply to a geographic area. These documents supplement and must be consistent with the policies of the general plan.
Coastal Land Use Plan: Like the Land Use Element, the Coastal Land Use Plan lays out the general patterns of development throughout the coastal areas of the County.
Air Quality Supplement: Coming soon.
Los Alamos Community Plan: Comprises the goals, policies, and standards guiding the development of the Los Alamos Community.
Orcutt Community Plan: Comprises the goals, policies, and standards guiding the development of the Orcutt Community.
Santa Ynez Community Plan: Comprises the goals, policies, and standards guiding the development of the Santa Ynez Community.
Montecito Community Plan: Comprises the goals, policies, and standards guiding the development of the Montecito Community.
Summerland Community Plan: Comprises the goals, policies, and standards guiding the development of the Summerland Community.
Goleta Community Plan: Comprises the goals, policies, and standards guiding the development of the Goleta Community.
Toro Canyon Community Plan: Comprises the goals, policies, and standards guiding the development of the Toro Canyon Community.
Cuyama Community Plan: Comprises the goals, policies, and standards guiding the development of the Cuyama Community.
Mission Canyon Specific Plan: Comprises the goals, policies, and standards guiding the development of the Mission Canyon Community.
Isla Vista Master Plan: Comprises the goals, policies, and standards guiding the development of the Isla Vista Redevelopment Area.
Housing Element: The Housing element guides the determination of housing needs and establishes policy that facilitates the development of housing for all economic segments in the County. It is the only element that must undergo mandated updates every five years.
Conservation Element: Addresses the conservation, development, and use of natural resources including water, forests, soils, rivers, and mineral deposits.
Groundwater Resources Section: Coming soon.
Seismic Safety & Safety Element: Establishes policies to protect the community from natural and manmade hazards (e.g. seismic, geologic, flood, wildfire, and toxic materials hazards.)
Safety Element Supplement: Identifies seismic, geologic, flood, and wildlife hazards, and establishes policies to protect the community.
Open Space Element: Details plans and measures for preserving open-space for natural resources, outdoor recreation, public health and safety, and for agriculture.
Noise Element: Identifies and appraises noise problems within the community and influences the distribution of land uses.
Circulation Element: Identifies the general location and extent of existing and proposed major roads, transit routes, terminals, and public utilities and facilities. It must correlate with the land use element.
Scenic Highways Element: Presents the County’s scenic highway goals, evaluation standards, preservation measures and procedures for obtaining official "Scenic Highway" designation for state and county roads.
Environmental Resources Management Element: Summarizes the various factors analyzed in the Seismic Safety and Safety, Conservation, and Open Space Elements, and identifies policies which define whether development is appropriate given the severity of constraints.
Hazardous Waste Element: Includes goals, policies and siting criteria that must be evaluated for proposed hazardous waste facilities.
Agricultural Element: Addresses the future use of agricultural lands and resources, and includes goals and policies applicable to projects that affect agricultural resources.
Energy Element: The Energy Element contains long-range planning guidelines and strategies to encourage energy efficiency and alternative energy sources in Santa Barbara County.