• Introduction (PDF)
• Chapter 1 Community Vision Statement (PDF)
• Chapter 2 Community Development
  • Land Use Element (PDF)
  • Growth Management Element (PDF)
  • Transportation Element (PDF)
  • Public Facilities & Infrastructure Element (PDF)
• Chapter 3 Housing and Human Services
  • Housing Element (PDF)
• Chapter 4 Environmental Quality and Management
  • Open Space Element (PDF)
  • Resource Conservation and Management Element (PDF)
  • Air Quality Element (PDF)
• Chapter 5 Design and Historical Preservation
  • Design Element (PDF)
  • Historical Preservation Element (PDF)
• Chapter 6 Health and Safety
  • Public Safety Element (PDF)
  • Noise Element (PDF)
• Glossary (PDF)

City Constitution for Physical Development
The Arcata General Plan will help shape how the city of Arcata will look, function, provide services, and manage resources. The plan is the City's "constitution" for physical development and change within the existing and future city boundaries. The plan is a legal mandate that governs both private and public actions. The general plan is atop the hierarchy of local government laws regulating land use. Other laws and policies, such as specific plans, subdivision regulations, and the zoning ordinance are subordinate to, and must be consistent with, the general plan. Comprehensive in scope, the plan conveys the fundamental values that public decision makers will use to guide the City's evolution, from its physical development to the ever-changing network of services provided to its citizens.

Authority & Purpose of the General Plan
California State law requires cities and counties to prepare and adopt a general plan. The government code sections requiring general plans are listed and summarized in the box on the following page.

Planning Commission & City Council Review & Adoption
The City of Arcata Planning Commission conducted public hearings and reviewed the Draft General Plan prepared at the direction of the City's General Plan and Specialized Task Forces. They forwarded a Planning Commission Draft to the City Council. After conducting their own public hearings, the Council adopted this General Plan on October 4, 2000.