Specific plan
A specific plan sets detailed rules for one area or large project, used mainly in California and other Western states.
Also called specific plan district.
What it tells you
A specific plan can cover hundreds or thousands of homes, with phases that feed tract maps, site plans, and public works for years. It tells builders and utilities where growth is coming and how much.
How it moves through a city or county
- The city or a master developer prepares the plan, often with an environmental review.
- The planning commission holds a hearing and recommends.
- The city council or county board adopts it.
- Later subdivisions and site plans must be consistent with it.
California law sets out what a specific plan must contain, and Arizona law allows them too. Other states use similar tools under names like area plan or master development plan.
Recent specific plans
From public filings in California.
| Project | Location | Developer | Type | Size | Stage | Latest meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26-Lot Single-Family Subdivision | Jurupa Valley, CA | Lennar Homes | Single-family | 26 homes | Approved | |
| 2,200-Unit Mixed-Use Development on 680 Acres | Brisbane, CA | Baylands Development Inc. | Residential | 2,200 units680.1 acres | Approved | |
| 120-Unit Residential Community and 130-Room Hotel | Norwalk, CA | Brandywine Homes | Condos | 120 condos7.69 acres | Approved |
As of How we count
Common questions
- How is a specific plan different from a PUD?
- Both set custom rules for a defined area. A specific plan is usually a broader planning document, often covering many owners, while a PUD is a zoning approval for one project.
- Does a specific plan need environmental review?
- In California, adopting a specific plan usually requires review under the state's environmental law, CEQA, often with an environmental impact report. Elsewhere it depends on the state.
Rules vary by state, county, and city. These pages describe common practice, not legal advice.
See specific plans near you.
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