04/09/2024 – 06/01/2024
California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) Director’s Policy DP-37
12/07/2021 – 06/01/2024
Policy
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) recognizes that walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail are integral to our vision of delivering a brighter future for all through a world-class transportation network. Additionally, Caltrans recognizes that streets are not only used for transportation but are also valuable community spaces. Accordingly, in locations with current and/or future pedestrian, bicycle, or transit needs, all transportation projects funded or overseen by Caltrans will provide comfortable, convenient, and connected complete streets facilities for people walking, biking, and taking transit or passenger rail unless an exception is documented and approved. When decisions are made not to include complete streets elements in capital and maintenance projects, the justification will be documented with final approval by the responsible District Director.
Opportunities for complete streets exist in all phases of project development from planning and design to construction, operations, and maintenance. Complete streets projects should prioritize underserved communities that have been historically harmed and segmented by the transportation network and should serve people of all ages and abilities. Furthermore, Caltrans commits to removing unnecessary policy and procedural barriers and partnering with communities and agencies to ensure projects on local and state transportation systems improve the connectivity to existing and planned pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities, and accessibility to existing and planned destinations, where possible.
Intended Results
This policy establishes Caltrans’ organizational priority to encourage and maximize walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail as a strategy to not only meet state climate, health, equity, and environmental goals but also to foster socially and economically vibrant, thriving, and resilient communities. To achieve this vision, Caltrans will maximize the use of design flexibility to provide context-sensitive solutions and networks for travelers of all ages and abilities.
Definitions
Complete Street
A complete street is a transportation facility that is planned, designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to provide comfortable and convenient mobility, and improve accessibility and connectivity to essential community destinations for all users, regardless of whether they are travelling as pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation riders, or drivers. Complete streets are especially attuned to the needs of people walking, using assistive mobility devices, rolling, biking, and riding transit. Complete streets also maximize the use of the existing right-of-way by prioritizing space-efficient forms of mobility, such as walking and biking, while also facilitating goods movement in a manner with the least environmental and social impacts. Complete streets shift the focus of transportation planning and project development from vehicle movement as the primary goal to the movement of people and goods.
All Ages and Abilities
The “all ages and abilities” concept strives to serve all users-regardless of age, gender, race, or ability and inclusive of the mobility needs of children, older adults, and people with disabilities-by embodying national and international best practices related to traffic calming, speed reduction, universal design, and roadway design to increase user safety and comfort, as well as accessibility for people with disabilities. This approach also includes the use of traffic calming elements or facilities separated from motor vehicle traffic, both of which can offer a greater feeling of security and appeal to a wider spectrum of the public.
Design Flexibility
Caltrans policy supports designers in their application of guidance to achieve our goals of developing complete facilities to serve all members of the community.
Design flexibility refers to the ability to develop a design suited to its users and context, and to employ professional judgment and experience to interpret, apply, and adapt appropriate design standards and guidance. Flexibility in design is essential to achieving Caltrans’ goals of putting safety first, enhancing and connecting the multimodal network, leading on climate action, and advancing equity and livability in all communities. Design flexibility includes consideration of diverse user needs, assessment of risk, review of applicable guidance, and documentation of design decisions.
Underserved Community
Underserved communities include low-income, frontline environmental justice, and vulnerable communities, including but not limited to Black and Indigenous peoples, communities of color, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, older adults, and youth. Refer to guidance from the Caltrans Office of Race and Equity for the most current definition.
Accessibility (Access to Destinations)
Accessibility is the ease by which travelers can reach – or access – desired destinations such as work, shopping and other retail, school, health care, and recreation. Accessibility reflects the number and proximity of destinations, as well as the directness and condition of walking, biking, and transit facilities . This is distinct from accessibility in the context of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); refer to Deputy Directive 42 for more information on ADA and State Disability Laws.
Connectivity
A connected multimodal network allows people to travel by whichever mode they choose and provides convenient, accessible connections between different modes.
State Transportation Network (STN)
Refers to the State Highway System (SHS) and all other multimodal facilities, including parallel and intersecting paths, frontage roads, and other facilities not directly on the SHS mainline.
Responsibilities
All employees in the following functional groups have specific responsibilities related to implementation of this policy in their program areas:
Director’s Office – Headquarters Sustainability
- Lead, coordinate, and facilitate development of implementation plan for this policy in coordination with appropriate functional groups.
- Facilitate alignment of policy, guidance, and training to meet state’s climate, health, equity, walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail goals.
- Facilitate coordination, information sharing, and collaboration among Divisions and Districts on topics related to complete streets.
- Track, monitor, report, and communicate Caltrans ‘ progress toward meeting its policy and strategic goals related to walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail.
- Establish and facilitate internal/external advisory committees to provide technical input, strategic direction, and implementation guidance to Caltrans policies related to complete streets.
Planning and Modal Programs
Headquarters
- Develop, maintain, and update state plans, training, and resources to assist in the identification and prioritization of pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and passenger rail needs and recommended improvements on or across the SHS.
- Develop guidance for integrating pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and passenger rail needs from the corridor planning process into future complete streets projects.
- Identify best practices for increased and meaningful engagement with partners, stakeholders, and communities during the development of plans and projects that facilitate the inclusion of complete streets elements as appropriate.
- Work with local and regional transit and rail partners to identify and implement first mile/last mile solutions, both on and off the STN.
- Provide technical support and guidance to internal and external stakeholders on enhancing rail and transit reliability and operations related to complete streets within and adjacent to the STN.
- Promote Caltrans policies related to complete streets in rail and transit planning documents and grant program guidelines.
Districts
- Develop, maintain, and update plans, tools, and other planning documents to identify and prioritize pedestrian, bicycle, and transit needs and recommended improvements on or across the SHS.
- Verify that proposed projects are in alignment with local, regional, and state planning documents detailing pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and passenger rail needs on or across the SHS.
- Integrate pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and passenger rail improvements from the corridor planning process into projects.
- Include complete streets elements in projects during the pre-Project Initiation Document (pre-PID) and PID phases.
- Participate in Project Development Teams (PDTs) to assist in delivering complete streets elements identified in PID phase.
- Develop and implement strategy for meaningful engagement with partners, stakeholders, and communities during the development of plans and projects that facilitate the inclusion of complete streets elements as appropriate. • Identify and pursue partnerships and funding opportunities with local, regional, and state agencies.
- Work with local and regional transit and rail partners to identify and implement first mile/last mile solutions, both on and off the STN.
- Promote pedestrian, bicycle, and transit improvements and land uses supportive of these modes in local projects through the Local Development Intergovernmental Review process.
Project Delivery
Headquarters
- Develop, maintain, and update policy, procedures, guidance, and standards pertaining to the design and construction of complete streets facilities in alignment with Caltrans and state walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail goals, including but not limited to temporary access during construction.
- Provide training and guidance to promote the use of “world-class” design best practices related to complete streets throughout Caltrans, including the adoption of design flexibility guidance, contextual guidance, and others.
- Cultivate subject-matter expertise for design excellence of complete streets facilities in projects on or across the STN.
- Designate a complete streets asset manager to track and monitor progress of complete streets statewide as an asset in the State Highway System Management Plan (SHSMP) and develop funding and performance targets for complete streets in the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP).
- Establish and oversee processes for documenting decisions related to complete streets elements
Districts
- Implement project delivery strategies and best practices to further enhance the delivery of complete streets, including coordination of community engagement efforts.
- Implement “world-class” design best practices related to complete streets.
- Cultivate subject-matter expertise for design excellence of complete streets facilities in projects on or across the STN.
- Promote and exercise design flexibility throughout project development process.
- Document decisions related to complete streets elements.
- Implement and oversee use of standard plans and specifications, as well as best practices, for temporary pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access routes during construction.
Maintenance
Headquarters
- Develop, maintain, and update policy, procedures, guidance, manuals, training and standards pertaining to the maintenance of complete streets facilities.
- Work with Districts to determine equipment needs for maintenance of current and future complete streets facilities, including application-specific equipment such as sweepers for sidewalks and bikeways where standard maintenance equipment cannot be used. • Coordinate with Division of Equipment to procure complete streets maintenance equipment.
- Develop and provide training to Maintenance staff on maintenance best practices for complete street facilities.
- Facilitate collection and maintenance of active transportation facility inventory and condition data to inform maintenance decisions.
- Develop, maintain, and update maintenance agreement templates for complete streets facilities.
Districts
- Maintain complete streets facilities on the SHS in accordance with maintenance policy, procedures, guidance, manuals, and standards.
- Develop, execute, and update, as needed, maintenance agreements with local agencies for complete street facilities that are mutually beneficial to both entities and protect the investments made in new infrastructure.
- Collaborate with Headquarters Divisions of Maintenance and Equipment to purchase or lease equipment necessary to maintain current and future complete streets facilities, including application-specific equipment such as sweepers for sidewalks and bikeways where standard maintenance equipment cannot be utilized.
- Maintain and use active transportation facility inventory and condition data to inform maintenance decisions.
- Collaborate with Planning, Safety, and Complete Streets Coordinators to identify opportunities for complete streets improvements in Highway Maintenance projects.
Traffic Operations
Headquarters
- Develop, maintain, and update policy, procedures, guidance, and standards pertaining to the operations of facilities to improve access to destinations by walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail, including but not limited to temporary access during construction.
- Develop policy and framework for collecting and maintaining current pedestrian and bicycle count data.
- Develop, maintain, and update training, guidance, and procedures to improve encroachment permit application process for local agency-sponsored complete streets projects that are on or cross the SHS.
- Identify and develop proposals to address policy and procedural barriers to implementing locally-sponsored complete streets projects on and across the SHS.
Districts
- Collect and maintain current pedestrian and bicycle count data.
- Identify opportunities to leverage traffic control devices, where needed, to better facilitate the throughput of people walking, biking, and taking transit.
- Implement standard plans and specifications for temporary pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access routes during construction.
- Support the delivery of complete streets improvements in capital projects.
- Identify strategies to streamline the approval process for complete streets projects seeking encroachment permits.
Safety Programs
Headquarters
- Develop, maintain, and update policy, procedures, guidance, plans, documents, and technical assistance to proactively or responsively identify pedestrian and bicycle safety needs on the SHS.
- Develop and administer programs to investigate locations and provide recommendations for improvements at locations with pedestrian and bicycle safety needs.
- Identify opportunities to leverage traffic control devices, where needed, to better facilitate the throughput of people walking, biking, and taking transit.
Districts
- Develop and implement innovative, context-sensitive solutions to address the safety of vulnerable roadway users.
- Investigate and implement countermeasures at locations with pedestrian and/or bicycle safety concerns/needs.
- Engage with internal functions and seek input from external stakeholders on pedestrian and bicycle safety needs during investigations.
Equipment
- Procure and provide training on equipment needed to maintain current and future complete streets facilities.
- Track and share with districts the national state of the practice for equipment used to maintain pedestrian, bicycle, and transit features.
Asset Management
Headquarters
- Track, monitor, and report on progress of complete streets as an asset in the SHSMP.
- Finalize funding and SHSMP performance targets for complete streets in the SHOPP.
- Support Districts in tracking and reporting on complete streets assets.
Districts
- Compile identified complete streets needs into SHOPP projects to support Districts in meeting performance targets.
- Regularly update Asset Management Tool with complete streets assets identified in all projects.
- Track and monitor progress of complete streets as an asset in the SHSMP and report progress to Headquarters Asset Management and Complete Streets Program Manager.
Local Assistance
Headquarters
- Provide support and technical assistance to local and regional agencies and Caltrans Districts applying for state or federal active transportation funding.
- Provide tools, training, and resources to support the successful delivery of local and regional active transportation projects on time, in scope, and within budget.
Districts
- Provide support and technical assistance to local and regional agencies and Caltrans Districts applying for state or federal active transportation funding.
- Provide tools, training, and resources to support the successful delivery of local and regional active transportation projects on time, in scope, and within budget.
Legal
- Provide counsel and support on legal issues pertaining to complete streets policies, procedures, and projects.
District-Designated Complete Streets Coordinator(s)
- District Directors will designate complete streets coordinator(s).
- Work with PDTs to maximize opportunities for inclusion of complete streets in all project phases by actively participating in the pre-scoping, project initiation, and project development phases. • Support the asset manager in tracking and monitoring complete streets assets.
- Assist with identifying project-specific complete streets needs throughout project planning, development, and delivery.
- Review and provide concurrence to decision documents related to complete streets.
- Work with other functions to provide technical assistance to local agency sponsored projects that are on or cross the SHS to incorporate complete streets elements.
- Collaborate with local and regional partners, advocacy and community groups, and District engineers to identify pedestrian, bicycle, and transit gaps to incorporate into planning documents and projects.
- Provide recommendations for partnerships and funding opportunities with local, regional, and state agencies.
Applicability
This policy applies to all Caltrans employees.
Los Angeles County MTA, Metro Complete Streets Policy
10/01/2014 – 06/01/2024
[…]
COMPLETE STREETS POLICY STATEMENT
Principles
The principles below guide Metro’s core commitments to include the needs of all users, regardless of how they travel, into the everyday decision-making process.
- Complete Streets Serving All Users and Modes.
Metro expresses its commitment to work with partner agencies and local jurisdictions to plan and fund Complete Streets that provide safe, comfortable, and convenient travel along and across streets (including streets, roads, transit facilities, highways, bridges, and other portions of the transportation system) through a comprehensive, integrated transportation network that serves all categories of users, including pedestrians, users and operators of public transit, bicyclists, persons with disabilities, seniors, children, motorists, users of green modes, and movers of commercial goods. It may be ineffective to enhance all streets to accommodate all modes equally. Modal priorities may need to be established for key arterials based on context sensitive evaluations, public feedback, and a review of relevant data. Some streets may be prioritized for transit travel, others for walking, bicycling, vehicle travel, goods movement, or other types of modes. Some streets may have robust facilities that accommodate all modes; however, a number of streets might not contain all these features due to physical right of way constrains, connection with local context, and other considerations. However, all streets will allow for safe travel within an integrated transportation network.
- Context Sensitivity.
In planning and implementing transportation projects, Metro departments, partner agencies, and funding recipients will maintain sensitivity to local conditions in both residential and business districts as well as urban, suburban, and rural areas, and will work with residents, merchants, and other stakeholders to ensure that a strong sense of place ensues. Improvements that will be considered shall contribute to safe travel for all users and be consistent with best practices, such as the Metro First/Last Mile Strategic Plan, NACTO Urban Street Design Guide, NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, Los Angeles County Model Design Manual for Living Streets, or equivalent.
- Complete Streets Routinely Addressed by All Departments.
All relevant departments at Metro, partner agencies, and funding recipients will work towards making Complete Streets practices a routine part of everyday operations; approach every relevant project, program, and practice as an opportunity to improve streets and the transportation network for all categories of users; and work in coordination with other departments, agencies, and jurisdictions to maximize opportunities for Complete Streets, connectivity, and cooperation.
- All Projects and Phases.
Complete Streets infrastructure sufficient to enable reasonably safe travel along and across the right of way for each category of users will be incorporated into all planning, funding, design, approval, and implementation processes for any transit and highway planning and design, new construction, reconstruction, retrofits, rehabilitations, and capital grant programs, except that specific infrastructure for a given category of users may be excluded if an exception is approved via the process set forth in the “Exceptions” section of this policy. Even for projects with limited scope, opportunities to implement incremental improvements leading to long-term accommodations for all users shall be incorporated. In new Metro corridor projects, intermodal connectivity elements shall be an intrinsic part of the project’s scope in environmental documents, to the extent required, and project definition for construction.
Implementation
- Design.
Metro will design and evaluate projects using the latest design standards and innovative design options, with a goal of balancing user needs. Metro strongly encourages partner agencies and Metro fund recipients to use the best design guidelines and standards to foster safe travel for all users.
- Network/Connectivity.
Metro will work with partner agencies and local jurisdictions to incorporate Complete Streets infrastructure into transit and highway planning and design, new construction, reconstruction, retrofits, rehabilitations, and Metro capital grant programs to improve the safety and convenience of all users, with the particular goal of creating a connected network of facilities accommodating each category of users, and increasing connectivity across jurisdictional boundaries and for anticipated future transportation investments. Transportation facilities are long-term investments that shall anticipate likely future demand for walking, bicycling, and transit facilities and not preclude the provision of future improvements. These facilities should address the need for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross corridors as well as travel along them; this may include, but is not limited to, addressing the need along an adjacent corridor. Even where pedestrians and bicyclists may not commonly use a particular travel corridor that is being improved or constructed, key points should be identified for cross corridor accessibility. Therefore, the design of intersections, interchanges and bridges shall accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians in a manner that is safe, accessible, and convenient.
- Implementation Next Steps.
Metro will take the following specific next steps to implement this Complete Streets Policy:
- Plan Consultation and Consistency: Maintenance, planning, and design of projects affecting the transportation system will be consistent with local bicycle, pedestrian, transit, multimodal, and other relevant plans.
- Stakeholder Consultation: Develop and/or clearly define a process to allow for continued stakeholder involvement on projects and plans including, but not limited to, local bicycle and pedestrian advisory groups, transit riders and operators, accessibility advisory groups, automobile interests, movers of commercial goods, businesses, residents, emergency responders, and/or other stakeholders, as defined necessary to support implementation of this Complete Streets policy by Metro. Consultation with these stakeholders is part of the overall project outreach effort.
- As identified in Table 2.
- Performance Measures.
Metro will develop additional performance metrics and track progress toward achieving sustainability policies and priorities, including Complete Streets implementation, which will be included in the annual Sustainability Report developed by the Countywide Planning and Development Department. In addition, all relevant capital grant funding recipients shall perform evaluations of how well the streets and transportation network planned, designed, implemented, and funded by Metro are serving each category of users by collecting baseline data and collecting follow-up data after project implementation. This requirement has been incorporated into the 2015 Call for Projects cycle and will apply to all subsequent capital grant funding program cycles.
[…]
Exceptions
Metro is committed to considering all users of the roadway during conception and development of projects led by the agency. The exceptions below apply to Metro’s capital grant programs for projects in which Metro does not directly control and are implemented by local jurisdictions. Projects that seek Complete Streets exceptions within upcoming Metro capital grant funding program cycles must be documented with supporting data that indicates the reasons for the decision and are limited to the following:
- Non-motorized users are prohibited on the roadway by law (e.g., specific freeways and expressways that prohibit pedestrian and bicycle travel as specified by local or state law). In this case, key points should be identified for cross corridor accessibility. The design of intersections, interchanges and bridges shall accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians in a manner that is safe, accessible, and convenient.
- Scarcity of population, travel and attractors, both existing and future, indicate an absence of need for such accommodations.
- Detrimental environmental or social impacts outweigh the need for these accommodations. 4. Cost of accommodations is excessively disproportionate to the cost of the project, as set forth in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Accommodating Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle _pedestrian/guidance/design_guidance/desig n.cfm.
The recommendation for exceptions will be made by the lead staff responsible for the application evaluation of the grant funding program. However, the approval for exceptions will be considered by the Metro Board of Directors as part of the review for award of funding. The exceptions shall be documented and included in the funding recommendation report to the Metro Board of Directors and posted on Metro’s Complete Streets webpage.
[…]
Cal. Gov. Code § 65040.2. Guidelines for mandatory elements in city and county general plans; effect of prior guidelines; housing and additional elements; technical assistance; advice for consulting with California Native American tribes; review and revision
01/01/2009 – 06/01/2024
(a) In connection with its responsibilities under subdivision (l) of Section 65040, the office shall develop and adopt guidelines for the preparation of and the content of the mandatory elements required in city and county general plans by Article 5 (commencing with Section 65300) of Chapter 3. For purposes of this section, the guidelines prepared pursuant to Section 50459 of the Health and Safety Code shall be the guidelines for the housing element required by Section 65302. In the event that additional elements are hereafter required in city and county general plans by Article 5 (commencing with Section 65300) of Chapter 3, the office shall adopt guidelines for those elements within six months of the effective date of the legislation requiring those additional elements.
(b) The office may request from each state department and agency, as it deems appropriate, and the department or agency shall provide, technical assistance in readopting, amending, or repealing the guidelines.
(c) The guidelines shall be advisory to each city and county in order to provide assistance in preparing and maintaining their respective general plans.
(d) The guidelines shall contain the guidelines for addressing environmental justice matters developed pursuant to Section 65040.12.
(e) The guidelines shall contain advice including recommendations for best practices to allow for collaborative land use planning of adjacent civilian and military lands and facilities. The guidelines shall encourage enhanced land use compatibility between civilian lands and any adjacent or nearby military facilities through the examination of potential impacts upon one another.
(f) The guidelines shall contain advice for addressing the effects of civilian development on military readiness activities carried out on all of the following:
(1) Military installations.
(2) Military operating areas.
(3) Military training areas.
(4) Military training routes.
(5) Military airspace.
(6) Other territory adjacent to those installations and areas.
(g) By March 1, 2005, the guidelines shall contain advice, developed in consultation with the Native American Heritage Commission, for consulting with California Native American tribes for all of the following:
(1) The preservation of, or the mitigation of impacts to, places, features, and objects described in Sections 5097.9 and 5097.993 of the Public Resources Code.
(2) Procedures for identifying through the Native American Heritage Commission the appropriate California Native American tribes.
(3) Procedures for continuing to protect the confidentiality of information concerning the specific identity, location, character, and use of those places, features, and objects.
(4) Procedures to facilitate voluntary landowner participation to preserve and protect the specific identity, location, character, and use of those places, features, and objects.
(h) Commencing January 1, 2009, but no later than January 1, 2014, upon the next revision of the guidelines pursuant to subdivision (i), the office shall prepare or amend guidelines for a legislative body to accommodate the safe and convenient travel of users of streets, roads, and highways in a manner that is suitable to the rural, suburban, or urban context of the general plan, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 65302.
(1) In developing guidelines, the office shall consider how appropriate accommodation varies depending on its transportation and land use context, including urban, suburban, or rural environments.
(2) The office may consult with leading transportation experts including, but not limited to, bicycle transportation planners, pedestrian planners, public transportation planners, local air quality management districts, and disability and senior mobility planners.
(i) The office shall provide for regular review and revision of the guidelines established pursuant to this section.
Cal. Gov. Code § 65302. Elements required to be included in plan
01/01/2023 – 06/01/2024
The general plan shall consist of a statement of development policies and shall include a diagram or diagrams and text setting forth objectives, principles, standards, and plan proposals. The plan shall include the following elements:
(a) A land use element that designates the proposed general distribution and general location and extent of the uses of the land for housing, business, industry, open space, including agriculture, natural resources, recreation, and enjoyment of scenic beauty, education, public buildings and grounds, solid and liquid waste disposal facilities, greenways, as defined in Section 816.52 of the Civil Code, and other categories of public and private uses of land. The location and designation of the extent of the uses of the land for public and private uses shall consider the identification of land and natural resources pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (d). The land use element shall include a statement of the standards of population density and building intensity recommended for the various districts and other territory covered by the plan. The land use element shall identify and annually review those areas covered by the plan that are subject to flooding identified by flood plain mapping prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the Department of Water Resources. The land use element shall also do both of the following:
(1) Designate in a land use category that provides for timber production those parcels of real property zoned for timberland production pursuant to the California Timberland Productivity Act of 1982 (Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 51100) of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 5).
(2) Consider the impact of new growth on military readiness activities carried out on military bases, installations, and operating and training areas, when proposing zoning ordinances or designating land uses covered by the general plan for land, or other territory adjacent to military facilities, or underlying designated military aviation routes and airspace.
(A) In determining the impact of new growth on military readiness activities, information provided by military facilities shall be considered. Cities and counties shall address military impacts based on information from the military and other sources.
(B) The following definitions govern this paragraph:
(i) “Military readiness activities” mean all of the following:
(I) Training, support, and operations that prepare the members of the military for combat.
(II) Operation, maintenance, and security of any military installation.
(III) Testing of military equipment, vehicles, weapons, and sensors for proper operation or suitability for combat use.
(ii) “Military installation” means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (e) of Section 2687 of Title 10 of the United States Code.
(b) (1) A circulation element consisting of the general location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, any military airports and ports, and other local public utilities and facilities, all correlated with the land use element of the plan.
(2) (A) Commencing January 1, 2011, upon any substantive revision of the circulation element, the legislative body shall modify the circulation element to plan for a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways for safe and convenient travel in a manner that is suitable to the rural, suburban, or urban context of the general plan.
(B) Upon any substantive revision of the circulation element on or after January 1, 2025, the legislative body shall do all of the following:
(i) Incorporate the principles of the Federal Highway Administration’s Safe System Approach, in the circulation element by including policies that aim to eliminate fatal and serious injuries for all road users through a holistic view of the roadway system, including provisions that account for human error, recognize vulnerable road users, and promote redundant and proactive safety measures.
(ii) Develop bicycle plans, pedestrian plans, and traffic calming plans based on the policies and goals in the circulation element that shall address all of the following for any urbanized area within the scope of the general plan:
(I) Identify safety corridors and any land or facility that generates high concentrations of bicyclists or pedestrians.
(II) Use evidence-based strategies, including strategies identified in the United States Department of Transportation’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan to develop safety measures specific to those areas that are intended to eliminate traffic fatalities, with an emphasis on fatalities of bicyclists, pedestrians, and users of any other form of micromobility device in the areas identified in subclause (I).
(III) Set goals for initiation and completion of all actions identified in the plans within 25 years of the date of adoption of the modified circulation element based upon projected development activities within urbanized areas within the scope of the general plan and projected availability of revenues.
(C) (i) A county or city shall begin implementation of the modified circulation element plan specified in subparagraph (B) within two years of the date of adoption of the plan.
(ii) A county or city shall regularly review the progress towards and identify impediments to completing implementation of the plan for a multimodal transportation network, including all bicycle plans, pedestrian plans, and traffic calming plans iterated in the modified circulation element, and the construction of any related infrastructure.
(iii) A county or city shall consider revising the circulation element if, following the review under clause (ii), the county or city determines it will not reach the goals of the bicycle, pedestrian, or traffic calming plans within 25 years of the date of adoption of the modified circulation element.
(D) For the purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions shall apply:
(i) “Business activity district” has the same meaning as defined in Section 22358.9 of the Vehicle Code.
(ii) “Land facilities that generate high concentrations of bicyclists or pedestrians” has the same meaning as described in Section 22358.7 of the Vehicle Code.
(iii) “Micromobility device” means a bicycle, electric bicycle, or motorized scooter as those terms are defined and described in Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) of the Vehicle Code.
(iv) “Safety corridor” has the same meaning as defined in Section 22358.7 of the Vehicle Code.
(v) “Urbanized area” has the same meaning as defined in Section 21071 of the Public Resources Code.
(E) For purposes of this paragraph, “users of streets, roads, and highways” mean bicyclists, children, persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of commercial goods, pedestrians, users of public transportation, and seniors.
(c) A housing element as provided in Article 10.6 (commencing with Section 65580).
(d) (1) A conservation element for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources, including water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources. The conservation element shall consider the effect of development within the jurisdiction, as described in the land use element, on natural resources located on public lands, including military installations. That portion of the conservation element including waters shall be developed in coordination with any countywide water agency and with all district and city agencies, including flood management, water conservation, or groundwater agencies that have developed, served, controlled, managed, or conserved water of any type for any purpose in the county or city for which the plan is prepared. Coordination shall include the discussion and evaluation of any water supply and demand information described in Section 65352.5, if that information has been submitted by the water agency to the city or county.
(2) The conservation element may also cover all of the following:
(A) The reclamation of land and waters.
(B) Prevention and control of the pollution of streams and other waters.
(C) Regulation of the use of land in stream channels and other areas required for the accomplishment of the conservation plan.
(D) Prevention, control, and correction of the erosion of soils, beaches, and shores.
(E) Protection of watersheds.
(F) The location, quantity, and quality of the rock, sand, and gravel resources.
(3) Upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2009, the conservation element shall identify rivers, creeks, streams, flood corridors, riparian habitats, and land that may accommodate floodwater for purposes of groundwater recharge and stormwater management.
(e) An open-space element as provided in Article 10.5 (commencing with Section 65560).
(f) (1) A noise element that shall identify and appraise noise problems in the community. The noise element shall analyze and quantify, to the extent practicable, as determined by the legislative body, current and projected noise levels for all of the following sources:
(A) Highways and freeways.
(B) Primary arterials and major local streets.
(C) Passenger and freight online railroad operations and ground rapid transit systems.
(D) Commercial, general aviation, heliport, helistop, and military airport operations, aircraft overflights, jet engine test stands, and all other ground facilities and maintenance functions related to airport operation.
(E) Local industrial plants, including, but not limited to, railroad classification yards.
(F) Other ground stationary noise sources, including, but not limited to, military installations, identified by local agencies as contributing to the community noise environment.
(2) Noise contours shall be shown for all of these sources and stated in terms of community noise equivalent level (CNEL) or day-night average sound level (Ldn). The noise contours shall be prepared on the basis of noise monitoring or following generally accepted noise modeling techniques for the various sources identified in subparagraphs (A) to (F) of paragraph (1), inclusive.
(3) The noise contours shall be used as a guide for establishing a pattern of land uses in the land use element that minimizes the exposure of community residents to excessive noise.
(4) The noise element shall include implementation measures and possible solutions that address existing and foreseeable noise problems, if any. The adopted noise element shall serve as a guideline for compliance with the state’s noise insulation standards.
(g) (1) A safety element for the protection of the community from any unreasonable risks associated with the effects of seismically induced surface rupture, ground shaking, ground failure, tsunami, seiche, and dam failure; slope instability leading to mudslides and landslides; subsidence; liquefaction; and other seismic hazards identified pursuant to Chapter 7.8 (commencing with Section 2690) of Division 2 of the Public Resources Code, and other geologic hazards known to the legislative body; flooding; and wildland and urban fires. The safety element shall include mapping of known seismic and other geologic hazards. It shall also address evacuation routes, military installations, peakload water supply requirements, and minimum road widths and clearances around structures, as those items relate to identified fire and geologic hazards.
(2) The safety element, upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2009, shall also do the following:
(A) Identify information regarding flood hazards, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) Flood hazard zones. As used in this subdivision, “flood hazard zone” means an area subject to flooding that is delineated as either a special hazard area or an area of moderate or minimal hazard on an official flood insurance rate map issued by FEMA. The identification of a flood hazard zone does not imply that areas outside the flood hazard zones or uses permitted within flood hazard zones will be free from flooding or flood damage.
(ii) National Flood Insurance Program maps published by FEMA.
(iii) Information about flood hazards that is available from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
(iv) Designated floodway maps that are available from the Central Valley Flood Protection Board.
(v) Dam failure inundation maps prepared pursuant to Section 6161 of the Water Code that are available from the Department of Water Resources.
(vi) Awareness Floodplain Mapping Program maps and 200-year flood plain maps that are or may be available from, or accepted by, the Department of Water Resources.
(vii) Maps of levee protection zones.
(viii) Areas subject to inundation in the event of the failure of project or nonproject levees or floodwalls.
(ix) Historical data on flooding, including locally prepared maps of areas that are subject to flooding, areas that are vulnerable to flooding after wildfires, and sites that have been repeatedly damaged by flooding.
(x) Existing and planned development in flood hazard zones, including structures, roads, utilities, and essential public facilities.
(xi) Local, state, and federal agencies with responsibility for flood protection, including special districts and local offices of emergency services.
(B) Establish a set of comprehensive goals, policies, and objectives based on the information identified pursuant to subparagraph (A), for the protection of the community from the unreasonable risks of flooding, including, but not limited to:
(i) Avoiding or minimizing the risks of flooding to new development.
(ii) Evaluating whether new development should be located in flood hazard zones, and identifying construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if new development is located in flood hazard zones.
(iii) Maintaining the structural and operational integrity of essential public facilities during flooding.
(iv) Locating, when feasible, new essential public facilities outside of flood hazard zones, including hospitals and health care facilities, emergency shelters, fire stations, emergency command centers, and emergency communications facilities or identifying construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if these facilities are located in flood hazard zones.
(v) Establishing cooperative working relationships among public agencies with responsibility for flood protection.
(C) Establish a set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives established pursuant to subparagraph (B).
(3) Upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2014, the safety element shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to address the risk of fire for land classified as state responsibility areas, as defined in Section 4102 of the Public Resources Code, and land classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, as defined in Section 51177. This review shall consider the advice included in the Office of Planning and Research’s most recent publication of “Fire Hazard Planning, General Plan Technical Advice Series” and shall also include all of the following:
(A) Information regarding fire hazards, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i) Fire hazard severity zone maps available from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
(ii) Any historical data on wildfires available from local agencies or a reference to where the data can be found.
(iii) Information about wildfire hazard areas that may be available from the United States Geological Survey.
(iv) General location and distribution of existing and planned uses of land in very high fire hazard severity zones and in state responsibility areas, including structures, roads, utilities, and essential public facilities. The location and distribution of planned uses of land shall not require defensible space compliance measures required by state law or local ordinance to occur on publicly owned lands or open space designations of homeowner associations.
(v) Local, state, and federal agencies with responsibility for fire protection, including special districts and local offices of emergency services.
(B) A set of goals, policies, and objectives based on the information identified pursuant to subparagraph (A) for the protection of the community from the unreasonable risk of wildfire.
(C) A set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives based on the information identified pursuant to subparagraph (B), including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i) Avoiding or minimizing the wildfire hazards associated with new uses of land.
(ii) Locating, when feasible, new essential public facilities outside of high fire risk areas, including, but not limited to, hospitals and health care facilities, emergency shelters, emergency command centers, and emergency communications facilities, or identifying construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if these facilities are located in a state responsibility area or very high fire hazard severity zone.
(iii) Designing adequate infrastructure if a new development is located in a state responsibility area or in a very high fire hazard severity zone, including safe access for emergency response vehicles, visible street signs, and water supplies for structural fire suppression.
(iv) Working cooperatively with public agencies with responsibility for fire protection.
(D) If a city or county has adopted a fire safety plan or document separate from the general plan, an attachment of, or reference to, a city or county’s adopted fire safety plan or document that fulfills commensurate goals and objectives and contains information required pursuant to this paragraph.
(4) Upon the next revision of a local hazard mitigation plan, adopted in accordance with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390), on or after January 1, 2017, or, if a local jurisdiction has not adopted a local hazard mitigation plan, beginning on or before January 1, 2022, the safety element shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to address climate adaptation and resiliency strategies applicable to the city or county. This review shall consider advice provided in the Office of Planning and Research’s General Plan Guidelines and shall include all of the following:
(A) (i) A vulnerability assessment that identifies the risks that climate change poses to the local jurisdiction and the geographic areas at risk from climate change impacts, including, but not limited to, an assessment of how climate change may affect the risks addressed pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3).
(ii) Information that may be available from federal, state, regional, and local agencies that will assist in developing the vulnerability assessment and the adaptation policies and strategies required pursuant to subparagraph (B), including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(I) Information from the internet-based Cal-Adapt tool.
(II) Information from the most recent version of the California Adaptation Planning Guide.
(III) Information from local agencies on the types of assets, resources, and populations that will be sensitive to various climate change exposures.
(IV) Information from local agencies on their current ability to deal with the impacts of climate change.
(V) Historical data on natural events and hazards, including locally prepared maps of areas subject to previous risk, areas that are vulnerable, and sites that have been repeatedly damaged.
(VI) Existing and planned development in identified at-risk areas, including structures, roads, utilities, and essential public facilities.
(VII) Federal, state, regional, and local agencies with responsibility for the protection of public health and safety and the environment, including special districts and local offices of emergency services.
(B) A set of adaptation and resilience goals, policies, and objectives based on the information specified in subparagraph (A) for the protection of the community.
(C) A set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives identified pursuant to subparagraph (B), including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i) Feasible methods to avoid or minimize climate change impacts associated with new uses of land.
(ii) The location, when feasible, of new essential public facilities outside of at-risk areas, including, but not limited to, hospitals and health care facilities, emergency shelters, emergency command centers, and emergency communications facilities, or identifying construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if these facilities are located in at-risk areas.
(iii) The designation of adequate and feasible infrastructure located in an at-risk area.
(iv) Guidelines for working cooperatively with relevant local, regional, state, and federal agencies.
(v) The identification of natural infrastructure that may be used in adaptation projects, where feasible. Where feasible, the plan shall use existing natural features and ecosystem processes, or the restoration of natural features and ecosystem processes, when developing alternatives for consideration. For purposes of this clause, “natural infrastructure” means using natural ecological systems or processes to reduce vulnerability to climate change related hazards, or other related climate change effects, while increasing the long-term adaptive capacity of coastal and inland areas by perpetuating or restoring ecosystem services. This includes, but is not limited to, the conservation, preservation, or sustainable management of any form of aquatic or terrestrial vegetated open space, such as beaches, dunes, tidal marshes, reefs, seagrass, parks, rain gardens, and urban tree canopies. It also includes systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes, such as permeable pavements, bioswales, and other engineered systems, such as levees that are combined with restored natural systems, to provide clean water, conserve ecosystem values and functions, and provide a wide array of benefits to people and wildlife.
(D) (i) If a city or county has adopted the local hazard mitigation plan, or other climate adaptation plan or document that fulfills commensurate goals and objectives and contains the information required pursuant to this paragraph, separate from the general plan, an attachment of, or reference to, the local hazard mitigation plan or other climate adaptation plan or document.
(ii) Cities or counties that have an adopted hazard mitigation plan, or other climate adaptation plan or document that substantially complies with this section, or have substantially equivalent provisions to this subdivision in their general plans, may use that information in the safety element to comply with this subdivision, and shall summarize and incorporate by reference into the safety element the other general plan provisions, climate adaptation plan or document, specifically showing how each requirement of this subdivision has been met.
(5) Upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2020, the safety element shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to identify residential developments in any hazard area identified in the safety element that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes.
(6) After the initial revision of the safety element pursuant to paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5), the planning agency shall review and, if necessary, revise the safety element upon each revision of the housing element or local hazard mitigation plan, but not less than once every eight years, to identify new information relating to flood and fire hazards and climate adaptation and resiliency strategies applicable to the city or county that was not available during the previous revision of the safety element.
(7) Cities and counties that have flood plain management ordinances that have been approved by FEMA that substantially comply with this section, or have substantially equivalent provisions to this subdivision in their general plans, may use that information in the safety element to comply with this subdivision, and shall summarize and incorporate by reference into the safety element the other general plan provisions or the flood plain ordinance, specifically showing how each requirement of this subdivision has been met.
(8) Before the periodic review of its general plan and before preparing or revising its safety element, each city and county shall consult the California Geological Survey of the Department of Conservation, the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, if the city or county is located within the boundaries of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Drainage District, as set forth in Section 8501 of the Water Code, and the Office of Emergency Services for the purpose of including information known by and available to the department, the agency, and the board required by this subdivision.
(9) To the extent that a county’s safety element is sufficiently detailed and contains appropriate policies and programs for adoption by a city, a city may adopt that portion of the county’s safety element that pertains to the city’s planning area in satisfaction of the requirement imposed by this subdivision.
(h) (1) An environmental justice element, or related goals, policies, and objectives integrated in other elements, that identifies disadvantaged communities within the area covered by the general plan of the city, county, or city and county, if the city, county, or city and county has a disadvantaged community. The environmental justice element, or related environmental justice goals, policies, and objectives integrated in other elements, shall do all of the following:
(A) Identify objectives and policies to reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities by means that include, but are not limited to, the reduction of pollution exposure, including the improvement of air quality, and the promotion of public facilities, food access, safe and sanitary homes, and physical activity.
(B) Identify objectives and policies to promote civic engagement in the public decisionmaking process.
(C) Identify objectives and policies that prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.
(2) A city, county, or city and county subject to this subdivision shall adopt or review the environmental justice element, or the environmental justice goals, policies, and objectives in other elements, upon the adoption or next revision of two or more elements concurrently on or after January 1, 2018.
(3) By adding this subdivision, the Legislature does not intend to require a city, county, or city and county to take any action prohibited by the United States Constitution or the California Constitution.
(4) For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms shall apply:
(A) “Disadvantaged communities” means an area identified by the California Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code or an area that is a low-income area that is disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation.
(B) “Public facilities” includes public improvements, public services, and community amenities, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 66000.
(C) “Low-income area” means an area with household incomes at or below 80 percent of the statewide median income or with household incomes at or below the threshold designated as low income by the Department of Housing and Community Development’s list of state income limits adopted pursuant to Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.
Los Angeles Code Sec. 85.11. The Los Angeles Safe Streets for All Initiative (The “Ordinance”)
04/09/2024 – 06/01/2024
(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this Section 85.11:
“Enhanced Complete Street System” means the network of major streets described in the Mobility Plan that facilitate multi-modal mobility within the citywide transportation system. This system consists of five networks: Pedestrian-Enhanced Districts, Bicycle-Enhanced Network, Bicycle Lane Network, Transit-Enhanced Network, and the Vehicle-Enhanced Network.
“Improvements” means any paving project or other modification of at least one-eighth (1/8) of a mile in length on a City-owned right-of-way (including a street, parking strip, or sidewalk). “Improvements” do not include restriping of the road without making other improvements, routine pothole repair, utility cuts, or emergency repairs. For the purposes of this Ordinance, two or more projects covering a continuous segment of the street shall be considered a single paving project or other modification, provided that construction on the projects commence within one year of each other.
“Mobility Plan” means Mobility Plan 2035, originally adopted by the City Council on August 11, 2015 as the Circulation Element of the City’s General Plan, as amended through December 31, 2021.
“Mobility Plan Street” means a street, or segments thereof, identified in the Mobility Plan’s Network Concept Maps, specifically: Map B – Transit Enhanced Network, Maps C1 – C5 – Neighborhood Enhanced Network, Maps D1 – D2 – Bicycle Enhanced Network and Bicycle Lane Network, Map E – Vehicle Enhanced Network, Map F – Pedestrian Enhanced Districts, and Map G – Goods Movement.
(b) Requirements.
(1) Whenever the City makes Improvements to a segment of a City-owned Mobility Plan Street, the Mobility Plan street enhancements described in the Enhanced Complete Street System shall be installed along that segment as part of the improvements undertaken by the City.
(2) The City shall deploy an Open Data portal or project website that will provide the public access to monitoring and evaluation data for the implementation of the Mobility Plan as required by this Ordinance. The City shall make the following information publicly available shall post the following information on the Open Data portal or project website before any improvements are commenced:
(A) A brief description of each Improvement project that is completed, ongoing, or planned within the City, including the distance covered by the project;
(B) The location of each Improvement project;
(C) The status of each Improvement project (e.g. completed, in progress, approved);
(D) The Enhanced Complete Street System enhancements that are planned to be installed or completed; and
(E) A list of all improvement projects on Mobility Plan Streets that the City has determined are not required to be improved pursuant to Section 85.11(b)(1) and the reason the City determined it does not apply.
The City shall make the Open Portal or project website, including information about relevant improvements, available to the public one (1) year after the effective date of the Ordinance.
(c) Enforcement.
(1) Any individual residing within the City may bring a civil action to enjoin violations of or compel compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance.
(2) The court may award to a party, other than the City or any of its commissions, boards, departments or agencies, who prevails in any civil action authorized by this Ordinance, the party’s costs of litigation, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.
