What is the General Plan? 

The General Plan is a comprehensive policy document for guiding future development in Torrance and that provides decision makers with a foundation for all land use related decisions.  The General Plan contains goals, objectives, and policies that define what kind of urban development is desired by the community and what physical and social infrastructure are required to support that development.

General Plan Update

In 2009, the General Plan underwent a comprehensive update to reflect the physical, environmental, demographic, and socioeconomic changes in the community.  The 2009 General Plan contains six chapters, referred to as elements, that State law requires to be covered: Land Use, Circulation and Infrastructure, Housing, Community Resources (Conservation and Open Space), Safety, and Noise.  In 2013 and 2022, the Housing Element was updated, as required by State law, to provide a coordinated and comprehensive strategy for promoting affordable housing production in Torrance.  Amendments to the General Plan are made periodically to update technical information and implement local initiatives.  In 2023, an Addendum to the 2009 Torrance General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report (2009 GPU EIR) was adopted to address the environmental impacts associated with implementation of the Housing Corridor Overlay (HCO).

General Plan Contents

• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Land Use Element
  • General Plan Land Use Policy Map
• Chapter 2: Circulation and Infrastructure Element
• Chapter 3: Community Resources Element
• Chapter 4: Safety Element
• Chapter 5: Noise Element
• Chapter 6: Housing Element (Adopted 2022)
  • Appendix C: Sites Inventory
  • Section 5.2 Housing Programs
• Appendix A: Implementation Program
• Appendix B: Glossary
• Acknowledgements
• General Plan Resolution
• General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
• General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
  • 2023 Addendum to the General Plan EIR

Housing Element Update

In 2013 and 2022, the Housing Element was updated, as required by State law, to provide a coordinated and comprehensive strategy for promoting affordable housing production in Torrance.  For more information on the Housing Element update, please refer to the links below:

• 6th Cycle Housing Element Update

• Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)

• Program 22: Removal of Racial Covenants from Deeds

Housing Element Annual Progress Reports (APR)

• 2023 APR

Land Use Element and Safety Element Update

The City of Torrance has begun the process of updating the City’s Land Use Element and Safety Element to be consistent with the goals and programs established in the 2022 Housing Element Update (6th Cycle) and 2021 Strategic Plan, as well as ensuring compliance with current State law. The updated Land Use Element will reflect the policies and programs identified in the recently adopted existing Housing Element to provide a range of housing opportunities in the City. Concurrently, the Safety Element will be updated pursuant to Section 65302 of the California Government Code to provide updated policies addressing natural and man-made hazards and will integrate environmental justice goals and policies. 

• Land Use Element and Safety Element Update Information

State Resources

For more information on General Plan guidelines and State requirements, please visit the Governor's Office of Planning And Research (OPR).