General Plan Amendment Process

A General Plan Amendment is a development case is specified by the Zoning Ordinance to be initiated by a property owner, the City Council, Planning Commission, or Director of Community Development. 

The purpose of a General Plan Amendment is to amend any portion of the City of Irvine General Plan, which is the legal document of goals, policies, and implementing actions regarding long-term development on the City. 

The City Council is the final approval body of a General Plan Amendment, with advisory recommendations from the Planning Commission and other commissions as appropriate. 

The cost of processing a General Plan Amendment is charged according to the hours spent by staff in checking plans, writing a staff report, preparing an environmental analysis, notifying the public and attending the public hearing. Total cost varies according to the size of the project and the complexity of the issues. At the City's sole discretion, a planning consultant may process your application.