General Plan

The General Plan is a legal document, required by state law, which serves as the city's "constitution" for development and the use of its land. It is a comprehensive, long-term document, detailing proposals for the physical development of the city and of any land outside its boundaries but within its designated "sphere of influence."
This page contains the adopted General Plan. The General Plan Update page provides information about the pending process to comprehensively update these documents.

General Plan elements

• General Plan(PDF, 5MB)  (adopted November 29, 2016)
  • Land Use Element(PDF, 4MB)
  • Circulation Element(PDF, 2MB)
• Land use diagram(PDF, 607KB)
• Street classifications(PDF, 398KB)
• Housing Element (2015-2023)(PDF, 52MB), Housing Element Update
• Open Space and Conservation, Noise and Safety Elements(PDF, 3MB)  (adopted May 21, 2013)

2021 Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

Beginning in February 2021, a partnership of 36 local governments, including the City of Menlo Park, and special districts in San Mateo County began working together to update the San Mateo County Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan will enable the jurisdictions to use pre- and post-disaster financial assistance to reduce the risk of natural hazards to people who live in the County.

The City of Menlo Park adopted the San Mateo County Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Nov. 16, 2021. The City was an active participant in the development of the local hazard mitigation plan. The local hazard mitigation plan incorporates a process where hazards are identified and profiled in a vulnerability assessment, the people and facilities at risk are analyzed, and mitigation actions are developed to reduce or eliminate hazard risk. The implementation of these mitigation actions, which include both short and long-term strategies, involve planning, policy changes, programs, projects and other activities. Hazards that are discussed in the local hazard mitigation plan include: dam failures, droughts, earthquakes, floods, landslides, sea level rise, severe weather, tsunamis, wildfires, climate change, public health emergencies, terrorism and hazardous materials. The local hazard mitigation plan shall be consulted for actions to ensure the safety of the community from known environmental hazards. The Safety Element is supported by and incorporates the local hazard mitigation plan.