The Arcata General Plan shapes how the City of Arcata will look, function, provide services, and manage resources for the next 20 years. 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 on the top of 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 growth, development, maintenance, and service provision, from its physical development to the ever-changing network of services provided to its citizens.

Updating this General Plan

The City Council adopted the General Plan 2045 on July 17, 2024. We are still working on the final edits Council directed at that meeting, but you can review previous Drafts, including the July 17, 2024, draft using the links below.

Clean Versions 

Track Changes Versions 

Archive

• View the (December 12, 2023) General Plan here.
• View the (May 14, 2024) General Plan here.
• View the (May 14, 2024, Resolution No. PC-24-05) General Plan here.
• View the (May 29, 2024) General Plan here.
• View the (December 12, 2023) Gateway Area Plan here.
• View the (May 14, 2024) Gateway Area Plan here.
• View the (May 14, 2024, Resolution No. PC-24-05) Gateway Area Plan here.
• View the (May 29, 2024) Gateway Area Plan here.