General plan: environmental justice element: disadvantaged communities

The law sets minimum outreach, language-access, public-review, and feedback requirements so residents in pollution-burdened and low-income areas can help shape local land-use and health policies.

What the law does ​

• Requires at least two accessible public workshops, with in-person and online options, plus at least two additional engagement methods tailored to local conditions.
• Requires at least two targeted notification methods and notices in the three most commonly spoken languages in affected disadvantaged communities.
• Requires local governments to post drafts, final policies, outreach materials, and participation opportunities online.
• Requires an initial draft 90 days before adoption, at least 45 days for public comment, and a revised draft at least 15 days before adoption.
• Requires local governments to consider community input, summarize it, give the summary and written comments to local legislative bodies, and include the summary in the environmental justice element or related policies.
• Requires covered local governments to adopt or review environmental justice policies by the earlier of a concurrent update of two or more general-plan elements or June 30, 2031, with an exception for jurisdictions that substantially complied by January 1, 2027.

Who it affects ​

• Cities, counties, and city and counties with disadvantaged communities.
• Residents and community organizations in low-income areas disproportionately burdened by pollution or environmental hazards.
• Local legislative bodies and planning agencies preparing general-plan updates.

Context ​

Disadvantaged communities include areas identified by the California Environmental Protection Agency and low-income areas disproportionately affected by pollution or related hazards.