Comprehensive plan amendment
A comprehensive plan amendment changes a city or county's long-range plan, most often the future land use map for a specific property.
Also called general plan amendment, future land use map amendment, or plan amendment.
What it tells you
A plan amendment means a project wants a use the long-range plan didn't expect, like homes on land planned for industry. It's an early signal; the rezoning and plats usually follow.
How it moves through a city or county
- The applicant or the city files the amendment, often together with a rezoning.
- Staff review it against the plan's goals, roads, and utilities.
- The planning commission holds a hearing and recommends.
- The city council or county commission adopts it.
Some states limit when plans can be amended or send amendments to a state agency for review. Washington, for example, generally allows amendments once a year.
Recent plan amendments
From public filings in California, Minnesota, and Utah.
| Project | Location | Developer | Type | Size | Stage | Latest meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74-Acre General Plan Amendment for Residential Development | Brigham City, UT | Stewart Land Company | Single-family | 300 units74 acres | Approved | |
| 6-Unit Residential Development on 87 Acres | Shakopee, MN | U.S. Home, LLC | Single-family | 6 units87 acres | Recommended | |
| 3.98-Acre School Site General Plan Amendment | San Jose, CA | Basis Independent School, LLC | Childcare and private schools | 3.98 acres | Recommended |
As of How we count
Common questions
- Why does a project need a plan amendment and a rezoning?
- In many states zoning must be consistent with the comprehensive plan. If the new zoning wouldn't match the plan's land use map, the plan is amended first or at the same meeting.
- Is a general plan amendment the same thing?
- Yes, general plan amendment is the name used in states like California, Arizona, and Utah, where the long-range plan is called a general plan.
Related terms
Rules vary by state, county, and city. These pages describe common practice, not legal advice.
See plan amendments near you.
Pick General Plan Amendment under Application Type on the Boardwalk map.