General Plan Information

The General Plan has been described as the "Blueprint" for a city's development: the foundation upon which all development decisions are based. When entitlement or building projects are submitted to the City, Staff reviews proposed projects to ensure consistency with the adopted General Plan. The State of California requires that every City and County have an adopted General Plan (also known as a Comprehensive Plan) which covers seven (7) general elements: Land Use, Circulation, Noise, Safety, Housing, Open Space, and Conservation.

There are times when amendments may be proposed to the designations of specific properties as shown on the land use diagrams, or to tables or textual language in the plan. Evaluation of requested General Plan amendments reviews the conformance of the amendment with applicable General Plan goals, objectives and policies. Of amendments are proposed which are not consistent with specific goals, objectives and policies, then all relevant goals, objectives and policies need to be reexamined and changed before approval of such amendments.

General Plan Amendments may be initiated by the City or private property owners or their authorized agents.

Applications to amend the General Plan shall be accompanied by detailed information to document the scope and impact of the amendment request. This information should include revised text, tables and diagrams for all affected elements. For additional information, please refer to the General Plan Land Use, Open Space and Conservation Element (Page II-51).

The following is the City's adopted General Plan, as amended through 2016. This document has been updated with various amendments, including the Housing Element. This document is a PDF.

• Atascadero General Plan 2025 (Complete Document / 2016 Update)
• Table of Contents
• Section 1 - Overview
• Section 2 - Land Use, Conservation, and Open Space Element
• Section 3 - Circulation Element
• Section 4 - Safety and Noise Element
• Section 5 - Housing Element (Adopted 2020)
• General Plan Map - Static PDF

Zoning Ordinance / Zoning Handbook

The City's Zoning Ordinance (adopted at Title 9, Zoning Ordinance of the Atascadero Municipal Code) implements, or are the "details" of the City's General Plan. The Zoning Ordinance contains specific development standards such as what types of uses can go on properties, lot sizes, fence heights, as well as rules and regulations regarding signs, special uses, and other details when it comes to development and construction on properties with the City. The City's Zoning Ordinance can be viewed here by click this link.

City Staff has created a Zoning Handbook to help in guiding residents, property owners, and developers on what they can and cannot do on their properties. The Zoning Handbook takes the City's adopted Zoning Ordinance and makes it easier to read and follow. If you have any questions in regards to the City's Zoning handbook, please contact the Community Development Department at (805) 461-5035.

Zoning Handbook (PDF)

Zoning Map - Static PDF

Interactive Zoning Map (updated as of April 2014)

Other Adopted Policy Documents

The following are additional policy documents that have been adopted by City Council and are utilized for development review of proposed projects within the City or within specific development areas.

Appearance Review Manual	Adopted 1987. Used for review of all non-residential, multi-family projects
Native Tree Ordinance	Adopted 1998. The City's Native Tree Ordinance which is used to protect trees that are designated as native to Atascadero.
Downtown Revitalization Plan	Adopted in 2000. Provides a guide to revitialization and used downtown.
Downtown Design Guidelines	Adopted in 2001. Provides a set of guidelines for new construction in Downtown Atascadero.
Oak Ridge Estates Master Development Plan	Adopted in 2003. Development for Single Family Residential lots along San Marcos Road on the westside of the Community.
Woodlands Specific Plan (Las Lomas)	Adopted in 2005. Provides development standards, guidelines, and zoning for a housing development between Haclon Road and Viejo Camino.
Del Rio Road Commercial Area Specific Plan	Adopted in 2012. Provides development standards, guidelines, and zoning for non-residential development at the intersection of Del Rio Road and El Camino Real.
Atascadero Signage Handbook	Adopted in 2016.Provides a guidelines for development of signage within the City.