State law requires that all counties and cities adopt and maintain a “comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the county or city, and of any land outside its boundaries which in the [county’s or city’s] judgment bears relation to its planning” (California Government Code Section 65300). State law further requires that general plans address a minimum of seven topics – circulation, conservation, housing, land use, noise, open space, and safety (California Government Code Section 65302).
