# 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.

Data as of Oct 11, 2026. Page: https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/specific-plan/

## What it is

A specific plan sets the land uses, density, roads, utilities, and design rules for a defined area, often a large new community or a downtown district. Projects inside it are then reviewed against the plan.

## 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

1. The city or a master developer prepares the plan, often with an environmental review.
2. The planning commission holds a hearing and recommends.
3. The city council or county board adopts it.
4. 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.

Rules vary by state, county, and city. These pages describe common practice, not legal advice.

## 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 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| 2,200-Unit Mixed-Use Development on 680 Acres | Brisbane, CA | Baylands Development Inc. | Residential | 2,200 units · 680.1 acres | Approved | Jul 23, 2026 |
| 120-Unit Residential Community and 130-Room Hotel | Norwalk, CA | Brandywine Homes | Condos | 120 condos · 7.69 acres | Approved | Jul 22, 2026 |

Samples show projects filed by companies or public bodies.

## Find it on Boardwalk

Search Boardwalk for "specific plan" in the places you cover. [Start free trial](https://boardwalkai.com/auth/signup/)

## Related terms

- [Comprehensive plan](https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/comprehensive-plan/): A comprehensive plan is a city or county's long-range policy for growth, with a future land use map that guides zoning decisions.
- [Planned unit development](https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/planned-unit-development/): A planned unit development, or PUD, is a custom zoning district for one project, with its own rules for uses and density.
- [Master-planned community](https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/master-planned-community/): A master-planned community is a large development built in phases under one plan, with homes, roads, parks, and often schools and shops.

## 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.

## Get the full data

- **Count for free.** Connect Boardwalk to Claude or ChatGPT and ask how many projects match. Counting is free during your trial and on every plan. [Use it in Claude or ChatGPT](https://boardwalkai.com/mcp/)
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## How to cite

Source: Boardwalk, "Specific plan", boardwalkai.com/glossary/specific-plan/, data as of Oct 11, 2026.

How we count: https://boardwalkai.com/coverage/#how-we-count