ABSTRACT
The phrase ‘consistent with a comprehensive plan’ has been the focus of many policy and legal discussions over the years. Some states require zoning to be consistent with a comprehensive plan. For example, California, in California Government Code Section 65350, requires cities and counties to adopt general plans and requires the zoning ordinances of those local governments to be consistent with the general plan. Furthermore, under California Government Code Section 65860(a):
A zoning ordinance would be considered consistent with a city or county general plan only if both of the following conditions are met: (1) the city or county has officially adopted such a plan; and (2) the various land uses authorized by the ordinance are compatible with the objectives, policies, general land uses, and program specified in the plan.
