General Plan Executive Summary
An Executive Sumary of the City of San Diego General Plan is now available. This publication is a full color reprint of the Strategic Framework Section of the General Plan, with some additional photos and graphics. It provides a concise summary of the central ideas contained within the City’s General Plan.
General Plan Action Plan
A General Plan Action Plan has been prepared as a comprehensive implementation program for the 2008 General Plan. View the most recent Draft General Plan Action Plan (PDF: 969K).
Adopted General Plan (2008)
A comprehensive update to the City of San Diego's General Plan was unanimously adopted
by the City Council on March 10, 2008. The City Council also
certified the General
Plan Program Environmental Impact Report and adopted the associated
environmental documents, and adopted amendments
to the Land Development Code (Chapter 12, Articles 2, 3, 5 and 6; Chapter
13, Article 1; and Chapter 14, Articles 1- 4 of the Municipal Code) as
they pertain to the deletion of the Tier system (Urbanized, Planned Urbanizing,
and Future Urbanizing) and the land use plan amendment initiation process
from the General Plan.
The new General Plan sets out a long-range vision and comprehensive policy framework for how the City should plan for projected growth and development, provide public services, and maintain the qualities that define San Diego over the next 20 to 30 years.
The update was guided by the City of Villages strategy and the citywide
policies adopted as a part of the General Plan Strategic Framework Element
in 2002. The City of Villages strategy is to focus future housing, retail,
employment, educational, and civic uses in mixed-use village centers of different
scales. By directing growth primarily toward village centers, the General
Plan supports the preservation of established residential neighborhoods,
the management of growth over the long term, and the attainment of sustainability
goals. Additional background information on the development of the General
Plan, the public hearings and the public input received is documented in
the staff report to City Council (PDF:
74K).
Printed copies of General Plan publications are available for purchase at the offices of City Planning & Community Investment (CPCI),
202 C Street, 4
th Floor, phone: 619-235-5200, in the following formats:
- Adopted 2008 General Plan document - $30
- Executive Summary brochure - $10
- Compact Disc of 2008 General Plan - $5
The General Plan may also be viewed at CPCI offices, and City libraries.
Please note that the adopted Housing Element is available under separate cover.
How the General Plan and Community Plans Work Together
San Diego has an established community planning program that is an essential part of the planning process. Together the General Plan and 42 Community Plans work to guide growth and development in San Diego. Read more about how the General Plan and Community Plans work together.
The General Plan covers a comprehensive range of topics. The General Plan update did not include land use designation or zoning changes, as site-specific recommendations are deferred to the community plans.
