What is the General Plan?

A requirement of California law cities must adopt a General Plan to identify the community's priorities and vision of the future.  The General Plan is our collective vision for how we want the community to improve during the next 10-20 years.  It is the blueprint to determine the way Rancho Santa Margarita looks and feels, and for meeting anticipated future needs.  When the City Council makes decision on land use, transportation, open space, community services, and other important topics, they are guided by this community blueprint.  The General Plan is also used by the Planning Commission, boards, and city staff to evaluate proposed building and development projects and to make recommendations to the City Council.

As the name suggest, the General Plan provides general guidance to address the seven elements required by California law, in addition to topics that the community feels are important, such as Economic Development.  The plan is implemented through more specific and detailed City programs, ordinances, and regulations such as the Zoning Ordinance and Capital Improvement Program.

For more information, contact the Planning Department at (949) 635-1800 x6701
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RSM General Plan 2020 Front Cover
RSM Public Review Draft Housing Element_Cover

2020 General Plan

  1. RSM General Plan 2020 (Complete Document)
  2. Table of Contents
  3. Introduction
  4. Circulation Element (2014) (PDF)
  5. Conservation_Open Space Element
  6. Economic Development Element
  7. Housing Element Adopted August, 2022
  1. Land Use Element
  2. Noise Element
  3. Safety Element Adopted 2022
  4. Appendix A_Glossary
  5. SB99_Evacuation Route Mapping White Paper_Adopted 2022
  6. General Plan Implementation Plan 2020

General Plan Environmental Impact Report

  1. Draft EIR Cover
  2. Draft EIR Table of Contents
  3. EIR - Notice of Preparation
  4. Sec 01_00_Executive Summary
  5. Sec 02_00_Introduction
  6. Sec 03_00_Project Description
  7. Sec 04_00_Basis of Cumulative Analysis
  8. Sec 05_00_Environmental Analysis
  9. Sec 05_01_Land Use and Planning
  10. Sec 05_02_Population Housing
  11. Sec 05_03_Aesthetics
  12. Sec 05_04_Traffic Circulation
  13. Sec 05_05_Air Quality
  14. Sec 05_06_Noise
  15. Sec 05_07_Greenhouse Gas
  16. Sec 05_08_Geology and Soils
  1. Sec 05_09_Hydrology
  2. Sec 05_10_Hazards
  3. Sec 05_11_Tribal and Cultural Resources
  4. Sec 05_12_Biological Resources
  5. Sec 05_13_Fire Protection
  6. Sec 05_14_Police Protection
  7. Sec 05_15_School Facilities
  8. Sec 05_16_Parks and Recreation
  9. Sec 05_17_Water Supply
  10. Sec 05_18_Wastewater
  11. Sec 05_19_Solid Waste
  12. Sec 06_00_Other CEQA Considerations
  13. Sec 07_00_Significant Effects
  14. Sec 08_00_Alternatives
  15. Sec 09_00_Effects Found Not to be Significant
  16. Sec 10_00_Persons Consulted

General Plan Final EIR with Responses to Comments and Mitigation Monitoring Program

  1. Final EIR_November 2019

About the General Plan

The General Plan included seven state-mandated "Elements" or chapters, that focus on specific topics. Each element included specific goals and policies.

  • Land Use
  • Noise
  • Safety
  • Conservation/Open Space
  • Economic Development
  • Housing*
  • Circulation*
Rancho Santa Margarita updated the Land Use, Noise, Safety, Conservation, Open Space, and Economic Development Elements.

The Housing Element covers the period 2013-2021 and is scheduled to be updated in 2021 pursuant to state law.

*Updated in 2013

Goals and Policies


Each element of the General Plan identifies goals and policies to guide future planning in the City.

  • Goal: A general statement describing a desired future condition.
  • Policy: A statement of commitment designed to guide future decisions in such a way that the General Plan goals will be achieved. 

Implementation Programs

The General Plan Implementation Program identifies the systems, procedures, or techniques that implement the General Plan goals and policies.