General Plan & Housing Element

Outside of Orinda theatre.
In 1987, two years after the City of Orinda incorporated, the City adopted its first General Plan which is a blueprint for the community's long-term vision for the future. In 2015, the Housing Element of the General Plan was updated following a robust public process. The new Housing Element ("5th Cycle") is effective through 2023.

1.0 Cover and Introduction
2.0 Land Use and Circulation
3.0 Housing Element ("5th Cycle")  Documents
4.0 Environmental Resources
5.0 Growth Management
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2010-2011 Public Workshops


A generation later, in 2010 the City embarked on the process of updating its General Plan with a focus on the downtown. Public input is the cornerstone upon which a successful General Plan is built. To that end, in 2010 and 2011, the City held a series of public workshops and solicited input through a survey to which almost 1,000 residents responded.
Overwhelmingly, the message we heard from our residents is that while improvements to the quality and range of services and retail stores in both the Village and Crossroads sides of downtown are desired, residents wish to preserve and enhance Orinda's unique small town character. There are no active efforts being made to update the City's entire General Plan at this time.


Downtown Planning & Housing FAQs


When the City engaged the public in the process of updating the General Plan in 2010-2011, we heard several frequently asked questions primarily pertaining to housing issues. For frequently asked questions and answers refer to the Downtown Planning and Housing FAQs (PDF).

Additional Information


For additional information on the Housing Element including access to more documents, please visit our Housing Element page.