How to approve a Plan

  • Submit a notice of intent
    Local governments wishing to create a Plan must submit a notice of intent to initiate a Plan. You should submit your notice of intent to SubregionalPlan@bcdc.ca.gov. In your notice, you must include:

    • A detailed description of the planning process
    • Contact information for the local government staff and all participating jurisdictions (for multi-jurisdictional plans)
    • The designated lead agency
    • Project scope
    • A work plan
    • A schedule
    • A plan for the preparation of any necessary environmental documentation (e.g., CEQA)
    • An engagement plan describing the public process

  • Attend at least three consultation meetings

    After submitting the notice, you will meet with our staff at least three times as you develop your Plan to help ensure the Plan aligns with the Guidelines. Consultations may be used to assess existing work or alternative data, do initial review of Plan elements prior to final submittal, or other local staff-driven requests. Within 30 days of the preliminary consultation, local governments and BCDC will post an electronic notice that the local government intends to initiate a process to prepare a Plan.
  • Formally adopt the Plan at the local level
    Once the Plan is developed, you must hold at least one public meeting and formally adopt the Plan at the local level before submitting it for Commission approval.

    Provide us with written notification 30 days prior to local adoption.

  • Submit the locally adopted Plan to BCDC for review

    After local adoption, you must submit the full Plan for review, including any necessary environmental documentation, and a summary of public feedback. Our staff will review it for completeness within 90 days. If deemed complete, we will review the Plan for consistency with the Guidelines and schedule a public hearing and vote no later than 150 days from the date of submittal request by local government.

Plans must be submitted for approval by January 1, 2034, though earlier submissions are encouraged. For more information review Section 3.5 Plan Submission, Approval, and Update Process in the RSAP.