General Plan Amendment

The Department of Planning & Building administers the County's General Plan through evaluating all land use applications for consistency with the General Plan, producing annual progress reports, and processing amendments to the General Plan.

General Plan Amendment Resources
About the General Plan»

What is the process?

Step 1: Application & Cost Accounting Agreement

Complete a General Plan and Ordinance Amendment Application Package with Cost Accounting Agreement.

IMPORTANT: An application can only be processed if a completed Coast Accounting Agreement is submitted.

Step 2: Apply Online

  1. To apply online, click Land Use Permit Application
  2. Click Apply
  3. Log In or Register
  4. Upload the completed General Plan and Ordinance Amendment Application Package with Cost Accounting Agreement before clicking Submit.

 

Planning staff will look over the application submittal package and contact the primary contact with any questions. 

 

Step 3: Pay Invoice

Planning staff will email the billing contact an invoice. Pay invoice here*.

Once the invoice is paid, the project review timeline will begin.

Please note for all Planning and Building applications, after 15 days of non-payment of invoice, the application will be voided and resubmittal will be required.

Step 4: Conduct Initial Review

Planning Staff will do an initial review of the applicant and may ask for additional information.

Step 5: Authorization of Application

Planning Staff schedules the application for authorization to process the GPA at the Board of Supervisors. The Board at their discretion may authorize the processing of the application or not. If they decide to not authorize the application for processing, then the process is terminated. If they authorize processing, then Planning Staff can proceed to the next steps.

Step 6: Distribute Project Referrals

Project referrals, which include application packet and any corresponding maps, are distributed to government agencies and community advisory councils. 

Step 7: Provide Additional Information

If additional information and or environmental studies are required, the project will remain on information hold until that information is provided, the applicant withdraws the application, or County staff deems the application withdrawn. 
 

Step 8: Conduct Environmental Review

Staff will conduct environmental review, which could result in the preparation of an Environment Impact Report. 

Step 9: Attend Planning Commission Hearing

Planning Staff will present the amendment, provide recommendations, and the Commission will provide a decision. 

Step 10: Attend Board of Supervisors Hearing

Planning Staff will present the amendment, provide recommendations, and the Board will provide a decision. 

Step 11: Attend Coastal Commission Hearings

If in the amendment is within the Coastal Zone, Coastal Commission hearings are required.

Who can use this service?

Anyone can use this service.

Is there a charge for this service?

Please refer to the Department of Planning & Building Fee Schedule for application fees.

When and where is this service offered?

Proposed General Plan amendments are consolidated and processed quarterly.

Frequently Asked Questions

PermitSLO Portal

 

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