About
What is a General Plan
The General Plan is an important policy document required by State law. It acts as the City’s roadmap for land use, development, and other key issues such as housing, wildfire safety, transportation infrastructure (e.g., roads, sidewalks), and jobs. The General Plan is a key tool for improving the quality of life in the City of Azusa over the next few decades.
As the City’s blueprint, the General Plan includes policies that affect everyday life in the City of Azusa. Topics covered in the General Plan include:
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Housing options for current and future residents who call the City of Azusa home
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Transportation choices, such as biking, walking, taking transit, or driving through Azusa neighborhoods
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Parks and open spaces where people can relax and enjoy recreation
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Protecting important historic, artistic, and cultural resources
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Infrastructure, facilities, and services needed to support future growth
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Safety from natural and human-made hazards
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Reducing and managing noise impacts
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A strong local economy that provides jobs and services for residents
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Environmental and sustainability practices that support the health and wellbeing of Azusa residents
General Plan Update Phases
The General Plan Update is an ongoing process involving multiple phases. Community engagement activities will occur throughout the entire process.
1. Listening and Existing Conditions—We Are Here
The General Plan Update will start by hearing from the community to identify issues and opportunities for the city's future. The project team will also put together reports to guide the planning process.
2. Visioning
The project team will work with the community to create a long-term vision and guiding values for the General Plan.
3. Land Use and Mobility Options
The project team will create different options on where development should go and how people will get around.
4. Policy and Plan Development
The project team will start writing policies for the General Plan and share ideas with the community for feedback. The project team will write the draft General Plan.
5. Review and Adoption
The draft General Plan will be shared with the community for review. Next, the draft of the General Plan, the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and community feedback will be presented to decision-makers for adoption. The project team will update the Plan with any final changes before it’s officially adopted.
6. Zoning Code Update
The project team will complete a full update of the City’s Zoning Code. The Zoning Code will be easy to use, with diagrams and visuals to explain zoning rules.
Why Now?
The last full update to the General Plan was completed in 2004. Since then, the City of Azusa has changed significantly and there are new requirements from the State of California that must be met. Updating the plan will help the City address current and future challenges and opportunities, such as the following:
Housing that works for everyone.
Young families struggle to find homes they can afford. Students cram into shared housing. Seniors want to downsize but can’t find options to stay in their community. More than 70% of the City’s housing units are 30 years or older. How can the City of Azusa preserve its existing housing, grow its options, and develop in a way that strengthens the community's character?
Each challenge presents an opportunity to reimagine Azusa!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What area does the General Plan cover?​​
The General Plan covers the City of Azusa and some surrounding unincorporated areas where the City already provides services, such as unincorporated areas in the north and south of the city.
What is required in a General Plan?​​
California law requires the General Plan include a minimum of eight State-required Elements. The updated Azusa General Plan will include these eight Elements: Land Use, Open Space, Conservation, Housing, Environmental Justice, Circulation, Noise, and Safety. The name of these elements (or chapters) can be customized as long as the requirements are met. In addition to all required elements, the Plan will include optional elements addressing topics that are important to the City of Azusa: arts and culture, historic resources, infrastructure, utilities, economic development, and health. The full list of elements is as follows:- Land Use and Community Character
- Economic Development
- Mobility
- Public Facilities, Parks, and Recreation
- Community Health and Environmental Justice
- Open Space and Conservation
- Arts and Culture
- Safety
- Noise
- Public Infrastructure and Utilities
How long will the General Plan update take?​​
The General Plan is estimated to take two to three years to complete.Who is writing the General Plan?​​
The City has contracted with a team of consultants to collaborate with in writing the plan and conducting community engagement throughout the project.What recent State legislation must be addressed in the General Plan?​​
California regularly updates what cities must include in their general plans. As of 2026, the City of Azusa must plan for the following:- Climate change such as wildfire risk, heat, and drought (SB 1425, SB 379, SB 1241).
- Fair access to parks and open spaces, food access, physical activity, safe housing, and civic engagement opportunities for every neighborhood and limit pollution (SB 1000).
- Making streets safer for walking and biking, not just driving (AB 1358).
- Consulting with local Native American tribes about Azusa's history and land (AB 52 and SB 18)
- Making it easier to build affordable housing (AB 2501).
- Analyzing smaller unincorporated communities near Azusa's borders (SB 244 and SB 1190).
- Evaluating transportation impacts from new developments (SB 743).